How do I reset a locked Apple Watch in Airplane Mode?
Through a series of events the passcode entries on an Apple Watch has been exhausted and the watch is locked with this message:
Wrong Passcode
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, go to Passcode, then tap Re-enable Passcode Entry to try again.
But when I go to Passcode on the Apple Watch app it just spins probably because the watch is in Airplane Mode.
When I try to reset the watch through the Apple Watch app I get this error message:
Could Not Connect to Apple Watch
Make sure your Apple Watch is nearby, powered on, and not in Airplane Mode.
But I can't turn off Airplane mode on the watch because it locked. Do I have any other options besides taking to the Apple store with proof of purchase?
Solution 1:
Looks like there is a way to erase a locked Apple Watch.
- Hold down the side button to see the options to power off the watch.
- Force touch
- Select 'Erase all content and settings'
I discovered you can force touch on the power off screen from this site: http://www.barryschiffer.com/how-to-recover-an-apple-watch-stuck-in-a-crash-reboot-loop/
Official link - https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT204567
If this fails, service from Apple can restore and reset devices that are non responsive or even need hardware intervention or repair.