Apple Watch lost or stolen? What to do, step by step

2 min read · 7 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Open the Find My app on your iPhone, tap Devices and select the watch to see it on a map. If it is not nearby, tap Lost Mode, enter a phone number and a message, and tap Activate. The watch is locked, and nobody can erase or reuse it without your Apple Account password.

A watch that was paired with your iPhone has Find My switched on automatically, together with Activation Lock. That gives you three tools: a map, a sound, and Lost Mode. If Find My was not on, Apple has no other way to locate the watch.

These steps are for recent versions of watchOS and iOS.

Step by step

  1. Look at the map

    Open Find My on the iPhone, tap Devices and tap the watch. Without the iPhone, sign in at icloud.com/find on any device. The map shows the current or the last known place.

  2. Play a sound if it is close

    Tap Play Sound. The watch rings even when it is set to silent. Check coat pockets, the gym bag, the sofa and the car.

  3. Turn on Lost Mode

    In Find My, tap the watch and, under Lost Apple Watch, tap Lost Mode, then Continue.

  4. Enter a phone number and a message

    Give a number where a finder can reach you, tap Next, write a short message and tap Next. Then tap Activate. The message appears on the watch face, and the watch is locked with your passcode.

  5. Report a theft

    Report a stolen watch to the police. They may ask for the serial number, which you find at account.apple.com under Devices or on the original box.

  6. Think of the cards

    Lost Mode suspends the cards for Apple Pay on the watch. You can also remove them at account.apple.com: choose the watch under Devices and remove the cards.

  7. When you get it back

    Enter your passcode on the watch. Lost Mode ends, and the cards can be used again after you confirm them.

Good to know

Do not remove the watch from your Apple Account and do not unpair it while it is missing. That would switch off Activation Lock and make the watch usable for someone else.

A watch that is offline shows its last known place. Lost Mode takes effect the next time it connects.

Do not go to an address shown on the map to confront someone. Give the information to the police.

The other way round: how to find your iPhone using your Apple Watch.

In short: Find My, Devices, the watch, map and Play Sound, Lost Mode with phone number and message, Activate, report a theft, check the cards.

Sources
  • Apple Support: If your Apple Watch is lost or stolen

Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.