Apple Watches hold their value incredibly well, making the used market attractive for budget-conscious buyers. However, these sophisticated devices pack numerous sensors, a sealed battery, and potential iCloud locks that can turn a great deal into an expensive paperweight. This guide covers every test you need to perform before purchasing a used or refurbished Apple Watch.
From verifying the Activation Lock status remotely to testing heart rate sensor accuracy, we'll walk you through a comprehensive evaluation process that ensures you get a fully functional device at a fair price.
Before Meeting the Seller
Smart buyers do their homework before showing up with cash. These remote checks save time and protect you from common scams.
Request These Details Upfront
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1.
Serial Number
Found in Settings → General → About, or on the original box
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2.
Model Number
Determines GPS vs Cellular, case material, and size
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3.
Battery Health Screenshot
Settings → Battery → Battery Health
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4.
Photo of Watch Face Showing Time
Proves the watch powers on and displays correctly
# Apple Coverage Check
Visit checkcoverage.apple.com with the serial number to verify:
- ✓ Valid purchase date (confirms legitimacy)
- ✓ AppleCare+ status (bonus if still active)
- ✓ Warranty coverage remaining
- ✓ Device hasn't been reported stolen
Red Flag: Serial Number Refusal
If a seller won't provide the serial number for verification, walk away. Legitimate sellers have nothing to hide. This is often a sign of a stolen device or one with an active Activation Lock.
Activation Lock Check
CRITICAL: This is the Most Important Check
An Apple Watch with Activation Lock enabled is worthless to you. It cannot be paired to your iPhone, and Apple will not remove the lock without proof of original purchase. There is NO workaround.
How to Verify (In Person)
- 1. Ask seller to unpair from their iPhone
- 2. Watch should erase and restart
- 3. Begin pairing with YOUR iPhone
- 4. If you reach language selection without lock prompt = CLEAR
- 5. If it asks for Apple ID = LOCKED (don't buy)
Signs of Active Lock
- ✗ Shows "Apple ID" login screen during setup
- ✗ Displays "This Apple Watch is linked to an Apple ID"
- ✗ Seller refuses to unpair during meeting
- ✗ "I'll remove it remotely" (common scam excuse)
Seller Should Do This Before You Meet
Ask the seller to complete these steps before meeting:
- 1. Open Watch app on their iPhone
- 2. Tap "All Watches" at top
- 3. Tap the (i) next to the watch
- 4. Tap "Unpair Apple Watch"
- 5. Enter their Apple ID password to confirm
- 6. Wait for watch to fully erase (shows pairing animation)
Physical Inspection
Case Inspection
- ✓ Check all edges for dents or deep scratches
- ✓ Inspect around buttons for cracks
- ✓ Look for signs of screen separation
- ✓ Verify case material matches listing (aluminum vs steel)
- ✓ Check speaker grille for debris/damage
Back Sensor Area
- ✓ Ceramic/sapphire back should be scratch-free
- ✓ Heart rate sensor LEDs visible and clean
- ✓ Charging contacts not corroded
- ✓ No gaps between back and case
- ✓ ECG electrodes clean (Series 4+)
Case Material Guide
Aluminum
Lightest, scratches easily
Stainless Steel
Premium, polishes well
Titanium
Ultra light & strong
Ceramic
Scratch-proof (rare)
Swollen Battery Warning
A swelling battery pushes the screen away from the case. Look for any gap between the display and housing, especially along the edges. Even a small gap indicates a dangerous battery that needs immediate replacement - significant leverage for negotiation or walking away.
Battery Health Testing
Battery health directly impacts daily usability. Apple Watch batteries are difficult and expensive to replace, so this check is crucial for used purchases.
# Checking Battery Health
On the Apple Watch:
- 1. Open Settings app
- 2. Tap "Battery"
- 3. Tap "Battery Health"
- 4. Check "Maximum Capacity" percentage
90-100%
Excellent
Full day easily, minimal wear
80-89%
Good
Full day possible, negotiate price
Under 80%
Poor
Needs replacement, heavy discount
Real-World Battery Test
If possible, ask the seller to fully charge the watch before meeting. Then:
- 1. Note the battery percentage and time when you arrive
- 2. Keep the watch on your wrist during testing (15-30 mins)
- 3. Use workout app, check heart rate, use GPS if available
- 4. Calculate drain rate: should be under 5% per hour with light use
Battery Replacement Costs (Apple)
Series 4-9
$99 out of warranty
Series 10/Ultra
$99-129 out of warranty
Factor this into your offer if battery health is under 85%
Screen Testing
Apple Watch screens use OLED technology (LTPO on newer models). Test for dead pixels, burn-in, touch responsiveness, and physical damage.
Dead Pixel Test
- 1. Open Photos app on watch
- 2. View pure white image (or white watch face)
- 3. Look for dark spots
- 4. View pure black (or black watch face)
- 5. Look for bright/stuck pixels
OLED Burn-In Check
- 1. Display solid gray background
- 2. Look at slight angle
- 3. Check for ghost images of clock
- 4. Scroll around to reveal uneven wear
- 5. Most common: time display retention
Touch Responsiveness Test
- • Swipe between watch faces - should be smooth, no sticking
- • Open app grid and tap multiple apps quickly
- • Test all four corners of the screen
- • Try scribble feature to write letters
- • Use Digital Crown + touch simultaneously
Screen Protector Warning
Ask to remove any screen protector before testing. Protectors can hide cracks, and some cheap protectors cause touch issues that disappear once removed. You need to see the actual screen condition.
Sensor Verification
Apple Watch sensors are sophisticated and expensive to repair. Test each one to ensure full functionality.
Heart Rate Sensor
Test procedure:
- 1. Wear watch snugly on wrist
- 2. Open Heart Rate app
- 3. Wait for reading (should take 5-15 seconds)
- 4. Compare to manual pulse check
- 5. Test during light movement
Expected results:
Resting: 60-100 BPM typical
Should match manual count within ±5 BPM
ECG Sensor (Series 4+)
If ECG is available in your region:
- 1. Open ECG app
- 2. Hold finger on Digital Crown
- 3. Wait 30 seconds for recording
- 4. Should complete without errors
Failure signs:
- • "Poor recording" repeatedly
- • Cannot detect finger contact
- • App crashes during test
Blood Oxygen Sensor (Series 6+)
Test procedure:
- 1. Open Blood Oxygen app
- 2. Rest arm flat, watch facing up
- 3. Tap "Start" and hold still
- 4. Wait 15 seconds for reading
Expected results:
95-100% typical for healthy adults
Consistent readings = sensor working
GPS (All Models)
Test procedure:
- 1. Go outside (GPS needs sky view)
- 2. Open Maps or Compass app
- 3. Wait for location lock
- 4. Verify position is accurate
- 5. Start outdoor workout, check route tracking
Expected behavior:
Lock within 30-60 seconds outdoors
Position accurate within ~10 meters
Accelerometer & Gyroscope
Test these motion sensors:
- • Raise to wake: Lift wrist to wake screen - should be instant
- • Step counting: Walk 20 steps, check Activity app
- • Orientation: Rotate watch - display should flip correctly
- • Fall detection: Settings → SOS → Fall Detection should be available
Connectivity Tests
Bluetooth Connection
Test with YOUR iPhone:
- 1. Begin pairing process (after Activation Lock cleared)
- 2. Watch should appear on iPhone within seconds
- 3. Complete pairing - should finish without errors
- 4. Send a test notification from iPhone - verify it arrives
- 5. Try Handoff features between devices
Wi-Fi (All Models)
- • Put iPhone in Airplane Mode (forces watch to use WiFi)
- • Connect watch to available WiFi network
- • Open Weather or other network-dependent app
- • Data should load without iPhone connection
Cellular (GPS + Cellular Models Only)
Cellular models have a red ring on the Digital Crown. To test cellular:
- 1. Leave iPhone at home or in car (out of Bluetooth range)
- 2. Walk away with just the watch
- 3. Check for cellular signal indicator (green dots)
- 4. Try making a call or sending a message
- 5. Note: Requires active cellular plan to fully test
If you can't test cellular, at least verify the model has cellular capability via Settings → Cellular
Water Resistance Considerations
Important: Water Resistance Degrades
Water resistance is not permanent. Seals degrade over time, especially with exposure to soaps, saltwater, and impacts. A used watch may no longer be water resistant even if the model originally was. Apple does not test or certify water resistance during repairs.
Water Resistance Ratings
- Series 1: Splash resistant only
- Series 2-9: 50m (swimming OK)
- Series 10: 50m (swimming OK)
- Ultra/Ultra 2: 100m (recreational diving)
- SE (all): 50m (swimming OK)
Signs of Water Damage
- ✗ Condensation under screen
- ✗ Corrosion on charging contacts
- ✗ Muffled or no speaker sound
- ✗ Erratic touch behavior
- ✗ Heart rate sensor always fails
Water Eject Test
Test the speaker and Water Lock feature:
- 1. Swipe up for Control Center
- 2. Tap water droplet icon to enable Water Lock
- 3. Turn Digital Crown to unlock and eject water
- 4. You should hear/feel vibrations as speaker expels water
- 5. No sound = potential speaker damage
Master Testing Checklist
Complete this checklist when evaluating any used Apple Watch. Check off each item as verified.
2026 Pricing Guide
Current market prices for used Apple Watches in good condition with 85%+ battery health.
| Model | Size | GPS Only | GPS + Cellular |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series 10 | 42mm/46mm | $280-320 | $340-380 |
| Series 9 | 41mm/45mm | $220-260 | $280-320 |
| Series 8 | 41mm/45mm | $170-210 | $220-260 |
| Series 7 | 41mm/45mm | $140-180 | $180-220 |
| SE (2nd Gen) | 40mm/44mm | $140-170 | $180-210 |
| Ultra 2 | 49mm | N/A | $550-620 |
| Ultra (1st Gen) | 49mm | N/A | $420-480 |
Price Adjustments
Add Value:
- • AppleCare+ active: +$30-50
- • Original box/charger: +$15-20
- • Stainless steel: +$50-100
- • Titanium: +$100-150
- • Extra bands: +$10-30 each
Reduce Price:
- • Battery under 85%: -$30-50
- • Screen scratches: -$20-40
- • Case damage: -$30-50
- • Missing charger: -$20-30
- • Older watchOS: -$10-20
$238.24
Ready to Buy?
With this testing guide, you can confidently evaluate any used Apple Watch. Remember: the Activation Lock check is non-negotiable, and battery health directly impacts daily usability.