How To Find A Dead Apple Watch: 7 Unique Ways

Losing your Apple Watch when it’s dead and out of reach is less than ideal. Imagine pulling up your sleeve to check the time or pay for something at the grocery store only to find nothing but empty space — “less than ideal” might be an understatement!

But regardless of where you’ve left it, there are multiple ways to locate your dead watch. And these ways are exactly what we will cover in the following sections. We’ll walk you through seven creative methods you can employ to find your Apple Watch, preventive measures to avoid losing it initially, and a truly unconventional option you can choose when all else fails. 

So, let’s get on with it, shall we?

7 Ways to Find a Dead Apple Watch

Key Takeaways:

1. Use the Find My App: Check the watch’s last known location through the app, even if it’s offline.
2. Activate Lost Mode: Display your contact info on the screen to increase the chances of recovery.
3. Retrace Your Steps: Physically revisit locations where you might have misplaced the watch.
4. Leverage Community Help: Post about the lost watch on social media or local groups for assistance.
5. Prevent Future Losses: Enable “Find My” features, secure the band, and set up notifications to avoid losing it again.

#1 Check Its Last Known Location

Checking your watch’s last known location through the Find My app should be the first thing you do. It’s a foolproof way to understand where you were when it fell from your wrist (or when you took it off, put it down, and forgot about it).

Many people believe that the Find My app only works when the device is switched on, but that isn’t entirely true. While you can’t see the watch’s real-time location when it’s dead, you will be able to note where it was the last time it was on. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad. 
2. Go to the Devices tab. 
3. Look for your Apple Watch on the list of devices.
4. Since it’s dead, the word Offline will appear underneath its name. 
5. Tap your watch to view its last known location.

This is a solid starting point for your search. However, it’s important to note that you only have a short window to view your device’s last known location. Typically, this is 24 hours. 

#2 Activate Lost Mode

Turning Lost Mode on displays a custom message with your contact information on your watch’s screen. So, if it is turned on, the person who charged it can call you to return the watch.

Here’s how to enable it:

1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Log in using your Apple ID and password (if you aren’t already logged in).
3. Tap Devices at the bottom of the screen.
4. Select your Apple Watch. 
5. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see more details.
6. Below Mark as Lost tap Activate to lock your watch and enable Lost Mode.
7. Hit Continue.
8. Enter your phone number.
9. Select Next.
10. Enter the message you want to show on the watch screen. Ideally, you should put your contact information here so if somebody finds it, they can easily return it to you.
11. Tap Activate.

When you retrieve the watch, you just tap Unlock, enter your passcode, and resume normal use. This will automatically disable Lost Mode.

#3 Bluetooth Range Finder

Do you have a Bluetooth tracker (i.e., AirTag or Tile)? If so, you can use it to help find your Apple Watch if it’s within Bluetooth range before it died.

The Bluetooth range of an AirTag is around 30 feet indoors and 100 feet in open spaces. But keep in mind that this range can vary drastically depending on physical obstacles and interference from other Bluetooth devices.

Similar said can be said for the Tile Tracker. Their Bluetooth range for accurate location detections is between 75 and 150 meters, depending on the specific model you own (i.e., the Tile Sticker, Tile Slim, Tile Pro, or Tile Mate). 

#4 Search with a Hidden Camera Finder App

Like the last method, this one will only work if your Apple Watch is nearby and emitting a signal before it switched off.

Hidden camera finder apps detect the magnetic field or Bluetooth connection your watch (and other devices) puts out. Granted, they aren’t designed to locate watches specifically, but they may help pinpoint its general location.

There are loads of apps to choose from, but the two main ones are Fing and Hidden Camera Detector. They’re both wonderfully easy to use and available on the App Store. 

#5 Retrace Your Steps

We understand the whole “if I knew where I lost it, it wouldn’t be lost” argument, but retracing your steps is a great way to jog your memory and maybe even stumble across the watch itself. Go back to places you’ve recently visited where you may have removed your watch and scour these locations. It might be just under your nose!

#6 Use a Metal Detector

Do you think you’ve lost your Apple Watch outdoors? It’s time to grab a metal detector!

If you go on long walks, jogs, or generally spend time outside, your watch could’ve snagged on a branch and fallen to the ground, or you could’ve taken it off to go swimming in the lake and simply forgot to put it on. Either way, a metal detector makes searching for it much easier as it could be buried under/partially covered by dirt, grass, leaves, sand, or foliage.

#7 Leverage Social Media or Community Groups

Somebody may have already found your Apple Watch and wish to return it. The problem is, they won’t know where to send it if it’s dead and they don’t have a suitable charger. So, post about your lost watch on social media and in local community groups. People are generally kind, and they’ll be more than willing to give it back to you if they find it. 

3 Preventive Measures

Ultimately, prevention is better than cure. Thus, you should do everything you can to prevent your Apple Watch from going missing in the first place. And luckily, our three tips below will do just that.

If you’ve already lost your watch, it’s a bit late for prevention. But don’t worry, you can employ these methods once you’ve found it to avoid losing it ever again!

#1 Enable the Find My Feature

Make sure the built-in Find My feature is activated on both your Apple Watch and iPhone. That way, you can always use this app to track your watch’s location if you lose it or somebody steals it.

Here’s how to enable it on your watch:

1. Head to Settings on your watch.
2. Select your name. 
3. Scroll down until you see your watch. 
4. Tap your watch.
5. Tap Find My Watch. 
6. Switch Find My network on if it isn’t already.

#2 Use a Secure Band

Invest in a durable, high-quality, secure watch band that fits you properly. A snug band reduces the likelihood of your watch slipping off while playing sports, running, or participating in other activities. 

#3 Set Up Notifications for Removal

Enable the Notify When Left Behind feature in the Find My app. This handy function notifies you if you leave your Apple Watch behind when moving between locations.

Here’s how to turn it on:

1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone.
2. Hit Devices at the bottom of the screen before selecting your watch.
3. Under Notifications, select Notify When Left Behind.
4. Turn on Notify When Left Behind. 
5. Follow the onscreen instructions. 
6. Add a Trusted Location, if necessary. Tap Done.
7. Hit Done. 

When Everything Else Fails: Hire a Dog

Yep, it’s a tad strange, isn’t it? But if your efforts to find your Apple Watch have failed, you can enlist the help of a trained search dog. Some pups are trained specially to search for lost items, including electronics like your Apple Watch. As you may have already guessed, this method is particularly effective in outdoor settings, such as parks, forests, beaches, and similar locations. 

If this is your only option, reach out to local search and rescue teams or canine trainers who specialize in teaching search dogs. A quick Google search will bring up related businesses in your vicinity.

Before rushing off to hire a dog, however, make sure the cost of doing so is cheaper than getting a new watch. If it isn’t, purchasing a new Apple Watch and deactivating your lost one may be more beneficial.

FAQ: Finding a Dead Apple Watch

1. Can I track my Apple Watch if it’s dead?
Yes, you can use the Find My app to see its last known location before it powered off. Simply open the app, select your watch from the device list, and look for its most recent location.

2. What does Lost Mode do, and how can it help?
Lost Mode locks your Apple Watch and displays a custom message with your contact information. If someone finds and charges the watch, they’ll see your message and can contact you to return it.

3. Are there tools or apps to help find a nearby dead Apple Watch?
Yes, tools like Bluetooth trackers (e.g., AirTag, Tile) or hidden camera finder apps can detect signals from your watch if it was nearby before dying. These methods work best for short-range searches.

4. What can I do to avoid losing my Apple Watch in the future?
Enable the Find My feature, use a snug and secure band, and set up “Notify When Left Behind” alerts. These steps ensure better tracking and reduce the chance of loss.

The Bottom Line

There’s no denying that losing a dead Apple Watch is frustrating, but there are various ways to track it down and things you can do to keep it from going missing in the first place. By utilizing technology, community, and a sprinkle of creativity, you can improve the likelihood of recovery of your device. And don’t worry, furry friends have always got your back when all else fails! You’re about to be the person everybody calls when they lose their possessions.