If you bought it directly from Apple, you have 14 days from the purchase date to return it . I haven’t seen anything about what they do with the returns. I know they test them and, if good, use them as warranty replacements. Answer from Frank_Chance on reddit.com
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Apple
apple.com › help › returns & refunds
Returns & Refunds - Shopping Help - Apple
Apple Watch from the Edition collection may only be returned or exchanged if it’s in its original, undamaged and unmarked condition after passing inspection at Apple’s offsite facility.
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Apple
apple.com › help › returns & refunds
Returns & Refunds - Shopping Help - Apple (CA)
Apple Watch from the Edition collection may only be returned or exchanged if it’s in its original, undamaged, and unmarked condition after passing inspection at Apple’s offsite facility.
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Apple
apple.com › ca › legal › sales-support › sales-policies › retail_ca.html
Apple Legal - Apple - Legal - Sales Policies - Canadian Retail Sales
Apple Watch from the Edition collection may only be returned or exchanged if it’s in its original, undamaged, and unmarked condition after passing inspection at Apple’s offsite facility.
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 255486629
Can I still get a refund if I want to return Apple Watch
If you purchased your Apple Watch brand new from an Apple Store or Authorized Apple Retailer within the last fourteen days, you should be able to receive a refund. ... As long as there is no damage and you are within the return policy period (14 days with Apple.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/applewatch › how strict is apple's return policy regarding the condition of returned watches? (and what exactly do they do with the returned ones?)
r/AppleWatch on Reddit: How strict is Apple's return policy regarding the condition of returned Watches? (And what exactly do they do with the returned ones?)
September 25, 2020 -

Hi all

I tried out a Steel Silver for a couple of days to decide if I want it versus the Graphite. Both very beautiful watches but in the end I decided to return the Silver... however I can say without looking at it there's going to be micro-scuffs/scratches. It's just a fairly soft steel.

With that in mind, surely it's impossible to return a steel Apple Watch in pristine condition if you wear it for any amount of time? So is this one area where Apple especially lenient? Their shops are super bright so if they are being picky you can bet they'll spot something.

Second... Since many people are no doubt returning non-perfect devices what on earth does Apple do with them all? Surely they aren't resold as-is?

Thanks!

[UPDATE: I returned it yesterday. Guy barely looked at it. He explained they break it down and recycle. That's a shame :/]

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iPhone J.D.
iphonejd.com › iphone_jd › 2024 › 10 › apple-14-day-return.html
Apple’s generous 14-day return policy – iPhone J.D.
Fifth, you can only return a product in the same country where the product was purchased. ... It is wonderful that Apple gives people two weeks to try a product and see if it is right for them. I loved having the ability to try out an Apple Watch Ultra 2 and see what I thought after multiple days of real world use. And at the same time, Apple’s policy gave me the ability to use an Apple Watch during a period of time when I otherwise would not have had one.
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 255507692
Returning opened store-bought Apple Watch - Apple Community
The manager at the store told her, however, that the watch couldn’t be returned as it had been opened. Apparently the returns policy for online purchases allows you to return opened products/watches within 14 days.
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Apple
apple.com › legal › sales-support › sales-policies › retail_us.html
Apple Legal - Apple - Legal - Sales Policies - U.S. Retail Sales
... We believe you will be thrilled ... a product is not what you expected, you can return or exchange it with a receipt within 14 days of the date you receive the product from Apple....
Find elsewhere
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WizeBand
wizeband.com › apple watch bands fashion guide - wizeband blog › can i return apple watch bands after purchase?
Can I Return Apple Watch Bands After Purchase? | WizeBand
October 9, 2025 - We’ll walk you through Apple’s ... Apple denies your return. Apple allows returns for Apple Watch bands within 14 days if the band is in new condition....
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Quora
quora.com › Can-I-return-my-Apple-watch-after-14-days
Can I return my Apple watch after 14 days? - Quora
Answer (1 of 4): Depends on who you brought it from, conditions of sale, etc I had my first Apple Watch for only a few days. It drove me crazy - constantly alerting me - Breath now! Stand now! Walk now! Wipe your nose now! I hated it - a lot So I sold it on Trade Me (like eBay) - because it wa...
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Jump+
jumpplus.com › returns-and-refunds
Returns & Refunds Policy – Retail & Online | jump+
... For Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, iPod and related accessories simply return the unopened item with the original or gift receipt within 14 days of purchase in the original selling condition.
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Apple
apple.com › help › policies
Policies - Shopping Help - Apple (CA)
Apple Watch from the Edition collection may only be returned or exchanged if it’s in its original, undamaged, and unmarked condition after passing inspection at Apple’s offsite facility.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/walmart › walmart won't accept an apple watch for return
r/walmart on Reddit: Walmart won't accept an apple watch for return
December 22, 2023 -

My son came home 2 weeks ago from his shopping trip. I then noticed he had an apple watch he was messing with. Well, long story short he got a lesson in why you don't buy yourself gifts before Christmas. He went in 2 days later to try to return it and they said they can't. It's been opened and out of the box for maybe 5 mins. He has the receipt.

Apparently he went to return it, they said is anything wrong with it. He said no, and they said it's not returnable.

I cannot find anything about apple products having a no refund. The most I can find is the 30day policy on electronics which states you can return if you are unhappy with your purchase.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Edit to clarify a few things.

  1. My son bought the watch not knowing I got him one for Christmas. I can't normally afford these types of gifts so he had no reason to suspect I had gotten him one.

  2. I bought the one I got in October on sale on Amazon. It is past the return date unfortunately.

  3. I understand if it can't be done, I am not trying to be difficult, or trying to scam walmart or anything. I am feeling (unreasonably I am sure, but none the less) guilty about the situation. It's out of my feeling bad that I am trying to figure it out. I should probably let him solve through this himself, he's 19 and these are life lessons he should learn. He already feels really bad about it lol.

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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 255908392
What is the Apple Watch return policy? - Apple Community
If you bought it from Apple, they offer returns within 14 days in most countries, and longer during the Christmas holidays; otherwise, check the store's policy. ... Can I return Apple Watch if opened? today i buy an apple watch SE.but when i go home and take it out.
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Returnpolicy
returnpolicy.ca › apple
Apple Canada Return Policy - Returns & Refunds Guide
This policy applies to items bought from the Apple Online Store, the Apple Store app, or physical Apple retail stores in Canada. Most products purchased from Apple Canada can be returned within 14 calendar days of receiving the item. This includes iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and ...
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The Krazy Coupon Lady
thekrazycouponlady.com › tips › store-hacks › apple-return-policy
Apple Return Policy: Everything You Need to Know to Make Returns at Apple - The Krazy Coupon Lady
January 4, 2024 - TIP: This policy also applies to Apple Watches and iPads that are linked to a cell provider. No. Anything you return to the Apple Store must have been purchased at the Apple Store.
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iPhone Life
iphonelife.com › how-to › shopping
Everything You Need to Know about Returning Apple Products
January 16, 2024 - If you purchased your Apple products from Apple.com or at an in-person Apple store, you have two options: you can return the product in-store or ship it back. When you return a product, all accessories (such as chargers or cables) and any documentation should be included with the return. Apple's return policy is pretty generous, and you can return nearly all products.
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Shop Your Way
shopyourway.com › home › apple return policy in store: details on refunds, holiday, and gift returns in 2024
Apple Return Policy In Store: Details on Refunds, Holiday, and Gift Returns In 2024 - Shop Your Way Blog
December 4, 2024 - For more details, visit the Apple Return and Refund Policy page. ... Hardware products, such as iPhones, MacBooks, and Apple Watches, can be returned within 14 calendar days from the date you received them.
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MacRumors
macrumors.com › 2025 › 11 › 12 › apples-extended-return-policy-2025
Apple's Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2025 Holiday Season - MacRumors
1 month ago - All purchases made after December 25 in those countries are subject to Apple's standard 14-day or 15-day return policy.