If your Apple Watch has gone missing, you can use Apple’s Find My app to ping your missing device.
Apple’s built-in Find My app can help you both locate and protect your Apple Watch when it’s missing. If you’ve misplaced your Apple Watch, you can use your iPhone’s Find My app to ping it, locate it, and more.
Watch owners should note that the exact steps to follow will depend on whether the Apple Watch is lost or stolen.
Firstly, we’ll look at the steps to follow when pinging your lost or stolen Apple Watch. Of course, this will cause your watch to ring until you dismiss the sound. However, it will also allow you to see your watch on a map!
However, if you’re unable to locate your lost or stolen Apple Watch, there are a few extra steps to follow to protect your missing device.
Once we’ve outlined the steps to pinging an Apple Watch, we’ll look at the steps to follow when putting an Apple Watch in Lost Mode. Let’s get started!
How To Ping Your Apple Watch If It’s Lost Or Stolen
There are two methods of pinging an Apple Watch that’s lost or stolen. Of course, you can use your iPhone or iPad device to do this. However, you can also use a computer by logging into iCloud.com.
Ping Apple Watch Using Your iPhone/iPad
This is how to ping your Apple Watch using an iPhone or iPad!
Step One: Open The Find My App
On your iPhone or iPad, launch the preinstalled ‘Find My’ app.
Step Two: Navigate To The Devices Tab
In the ‘Find My’ app, navigate to the ‘Devices’ tab, where you will see a list of all the Apple devices linked to your Apple ID.
Step Three: Select Your Apple Watch
From the list of devices, select your Apple Watch. If your Apple Watch is connected to a trusted Wi-Fi or cellular connection, you’ll see your Apple Watch’s location on the map. You can use this to confirm the location of your Apple Watch and whether it’s near you. Later in this article, we’ll explain the steps to follow if your Apple Watch doesn’t appear on this map.
Step Four: Ping Your Apple Watch
Once you’ve selected your Apple Watch on the ‘Find My’ app, you’ll be able to get directions to your watch. However, you’ll also be able to ping it or play a sound. Selecting this option will cause your Apple Watch to start ringing until you dismiss the sound. To successfully ping your watch, your Apple Watch needs to be connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network.
Ping Apple Watch Using Your Computer
This is how to ping your Apple Watch using a computer!
Step One: Log Into iCloud.com
On your computer, log into www.iCloud.com using your Apple ID credentials.
Step Two: Select ‘Find iPhone’
Once you’ve logged into iCloud.com, select the ‘Find iPhone’ option.
Step Three: Navigate To ‘All Devices’
Now, navigate to the ‘All Devices’ tab.
Step Four: Select Your Apple Watch
From the list of Apple devices linked to your account, select your Apple Watch. If your watch is connected to a trusted cellular or Wi-Fi network, you’ll be able to see its location on the map.
Step Five: Ping Your Apple Watch
In addition to seeing the location of your Apple Watch, you’ll be able to ping it from the iCloud website. Pinging your Apple Watch will cause it to ring. Of course, this requires your Apple Watch to be connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network.
What If You Don’t See Your Apple Watch On The ‘Find My’ Map?
If you followed the above steps but were unable to locate or ping your Apple Watch, it likely means it is not connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi hotspot. In the event of this, there are three steps you should follow!
Step One: Set Apple Watch To ‘Lost Mode’
Firstly, you’ll want to activate ‘Lost Mode’ on your Apple Watch. This will prevent other people from erasing your watch or pairing it with another iPhone. We’ll look at how to turn on Lost Mode in the following section!
Step Two: Change Your Apple ID Password
To protect your iCloud information, you should change your Apple ID password if your Apple Watch has been stolen. This will prevent others from accessing your secure information using your missing device.
Step Three: Report To Local Law Enforcement
Finally, if your Apple Watch has been stolen, you should report the theft to your local law enforcement. When reporting your stolen Apple Watch, you may be asked to provide the watch’s serial number. This can be found in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone by going to ‘General’ and then selecting ‘About’ from the list of options.
How To Put Your Missing Apple Watch Into Lost Mode
If you can’t locate your missing or stolen Apple Watch, it is recommended that you remotely lock your device. Of course, this is known as ‘Lost Mode’ on your Apple Watch. This can be activated using an iPhone/iPad or a computer.
Put Apple Watch In Lost Mode Using Your iPhone/iPad
This is how to put an Apple Watch in Lost Mode using an iPhone/iPad!
Step One: Open ‘Find My’ App
Open the ‘Find My’ app on your iOS device.
Step Two: Select Apple Watch
In the devices tab, select your Apple Watch from the list of devices linked to your Apple ID.
Step Three: Select ‘Activate’ In The ‘Mark As Lost’ Section
Once you’ve selected your Apple Watch from the devise list, you’ll see many different options. You need to find the ‘Mark As Lost’ setting. Once you’ve found this setting, you need to click activate. The app will then confirm that you want to activate Lost Mode.
Step Four: Enter Requested Information
Before your Apple Watch is locked, you will be asked to enter some information. Firstly, you can enter a phone number where you can be reached. If someone finds your Apple Watch, they will be able to call this number. You can also add a custom message that will be displayed on the screen of your locked Apple Watch.
Step Five: Activate Lost Mode
Once you’ve entered your phone number and an optional message, you can activate Lost Mode on your Apple Watch. To confirm that your watch has indeed been locked, you can look for an email from ‘Find My’ confirming this.
Step Six: Deactivate Lost Mode (When Apple Watch Is Found)
If you manage to find your missing Apple Watch, you can deactivate Lost Mode using these same steps. On your iPhone’s ‘Find My’ app, you can select your Apple Watch and navigate to the ‘Mark As Lost’ setting. You can now deactivate Lost Mode!
Put Apple Watch In Lost Mode Using Your Computer
This is how to put an Apple Watch in Lost Mode using a computer!
Step One: Log Into iCloud.com
On a computer, use your Apple ID details to sign into www.iCloud.com.
Step Two: Navigate To ‘Find iPhone’
Once you’re logged in, click on the ‘Find iPhone’ icon.
Step Three: Select Your Apple Watch
You should now click on ‘All Devices’ and select your missing Apple Watch from the list of devices.
Step Four: Activate Lost Mode
Once you’ve selected your missing or stolen Apple Watch, you can click on the ‘Lost Mode’ setting. When activating Lost Mode, you’ll be asked to confirm your decision. When activating Lost Mode on your Apple Watch, you’ll be asked to enter some details.
Firstly, you can enter a phone number where you can be reached. Secondly, you can input a custom message that will be displayed on your Apple Watch screen. Once you’ve entered this information, you can activate Lost Mode on your Apple Watch.
Step Five: Deactivate Lost Mode (When Apple Watch Is Found)
If you manage to track down your missing Apple Watch, you can follow these same steps to deactivate the Lost Mode on your found device. To do this, you’ll need to select your Apple Watch and click on the ‘Lost Mode’ setting. Here, you will be given a ‘Stop Lost Mode’ option.
Conclusion
If your Apple Watch is lost or stolen, you can use Apple’s Find My app to locate and ping your device. If a watch has been stolen, Apple also recommends activating Lost Mode to prevent the Apple Watch from being erased or paired with a new iPhone.