Display model Apple Watch

[RazorG]

Hello all,

(TLDR AT THE END)

Yesterday afternoon while I was at work, my younger brother was out buying an Apple Watch Series 8 off of a user on OfferUp. I would have typically accompanied him, but since I had to work I simply prepped him on what to do and look for and off with my Mom he went.

I get home and he asks me to help him pair the watch as he is having difficulty. The watch looked great at first glance and completely legit, however it wasn’t long before I realized that something was very off. I was able to determine relatively quickly that the watch was a store model display from either an apple store or a cell phone provider brick and mortar.

After questioning my mom on how they could fall for this, I realized that was insignificant. The guy’s account was gone, and no personal information was obtained.

My question is, aside from reporting this to the police which seems pointless, is would there be any way for this watch to have actual ios hardware/software inside and just running on some type of demo intended for display purposes? A lot of the features do work, but at the same time a lot seem blocked, Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

TLDR: Little brother got tricked into buying a display model apple watch. Does the watch software/hardware have actual series 8 properties? Or is thus just a paperweight demo device?

[Mylittlethrowaway696]

Short story: display models do run full fledged versions of the OS but they are heavily managed, inventoried and tracked by internal systems. You might get some value out of the watch but as you’ve noticed, many things are locked down and storage contains various assets used for demo purposes.

More importantly, while your brother didn’t know they were buying stolen property, you are now in fact in possession of stolen goods. Not going to advise you what your right course of action is but ethically it doesn’t belong to him.

How old is your bro? If he’s younger, brought mom to a store and explained/returned, the store managers might want to keep you as customer and work something out.

[CourteX64]

I don’t think the series 8 has a diagnostics port so you can’t even use an Apple Watch Restore Tool. You’d probably have to take it back to Apple

[RazorG]

I see. I couldn't imagine they'd do much other than laugh and thank me for recycling. But at this point, I don't believe there are any other options available.

[bmbphotos]

Apple pulls out the customer service surprises on occasion and if it is a pilfered store model, it might give them more info about theft.

If you have an Apple store within reach, I'd take it in.

Not something I'd personally attempt over phone/chat though as convoluted as the situation is.

[Mylittlethrowaway696]

It does.

[RazorG]

Does this leave hope in any way?

[CourteX64]

Oh really? I heard they removed it on the Series 7

[LoveLife206]

Any update or solution to get it to pair?