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Scalable Smartwatch Recycling for Mobile Processors and ITADs

Smartwatch recycling is fast becoming a core part of mobile device processing. Apple and Android watches now arrive in bulk alongside phones, tablets, AirPods, and other devices. As volumes increase, many mobile processors and ITADs are discovering that their existing workflows were not designed with smartwatches in mind.

This article shares how Blancco’s solutions for ITADs and mobile processors help IT recyclers build automated processes for testing, erasing, and grading Apple and Android smartwatches. Learn how to reduce operator handling time and cut the risks and inconsistencies for manual processing.

Why smartwatch recycling matters for your bottom line

When smartwatches first began entering recycling and refurbishment facilities, volumes were low and devices were handled manually. Operators reset them by hand, checked basic functionality, and moved on. That approach worked when watches were occasional items. 

Today, the situation is different. Since their launch as experimental “wrist computers” for first adopters in 2014, the market for smartwatches has enjoyed year-over-year growth. In 2014, the global market was worth around $1.3 billion. In 2024, the market was valued at $33.58 billion. And, where there’s new tech, there’s also a market for refurbished and reused tech. Industry forecasts point to strong long-term demand for used watches, with refurbished smartwatch sales expected to grow rapidly over the next decade. 

For ITADs and mobile processors, this creates a clear opportunity to build new revenue streams.

The cost of manual smartwatch recycling

While there’s an opportunity for IT recyclers, there are also new pressures. Watches that sit too long in inventory lose value. Manual handling increases costs, and inconsistent results increase risk. 

Now that smartwatch recycling has entered a scaling phase, mobile processors regularly receive large mixed consignments of watches and other devices. The smartwatches are pulled from bulk returns at the same tables as phones. They move through the same reverse logistics pipelines. Yet, in many facilities, they still lack a defined and repeatable process for undergoing centralized diagnostic tests and data erasure. 

This gap creates problems, especially if operators make incorrect judgment calls and results start to vary by shift or location. Manual handling can also lead to inconsistent audit trails and an increase in average handling time per watch. 

For high-volume mobile processors, smartwatch recycling needs the same level of structure as phone processing. Without it, growth in watch volumes becomes a liability instead of an opportunity.

What scalable smartwatch recycling looks like

At scale, successful operations share common traits. 

• Devices are processed in batches, not one at a time. 
• Operators follow guided workflows instead of relying on memory or experience. 
• Diagnostics and erasure are part of a single process. 
• Reports are generated automatically and tied to the device’s record. 

Most importantly, the process integrates into existing operations. Smartwatch recycling should not require a separate line or specialist team. It should fit naturally alongside phone processing. 

This is the approach Blancco has taken within Blancco Mobile Diagnostics and Erasure and Blancco Eraser for Apple Devices—both of which offer centralized processing paths for wearable devices. 

For example, Apple Watches still linked to the original user’s Apple ID (via iCloud Activation Lock) can block reuse, delay resale, and increase the risk of returns or fraud. Additionally, Apple Watches—if not properly reset—may retain pairing to nearby Apple devices, raising concerns about potential unauthorized access or unintended functionality. 

Blancco Eraser for Apple Devices helps mitigate these risks by identifying devices that remain paired to iCloud or an Apple ID. This detection capability ensures that processors are alerted to lock and pairing status before resale, which plays a critical role in preventing the accidental sale of locked or user-associated hardware—saving time, avoiding disputes, and protecting brand reputation. From here, smartwatch recycling is streamlined and devices can easily be tested, graded, and erased, all with audit-ready proof. 

Apple Watch recycling at scale with Blancco

Apple Watch recycling is handled as a dedicated workflow within Blancco Mobile Diagnostics and Erasure. 

The process uses a companion iPhone connected via cable to a workstation running Blancco Mobile Diagnostics & Erasure. The phone connects to the Blancco workstation, and the Apple Watch pairs with the phone. Multiple phones and multiple watches can be processed in parallel across a single station. 

Once connected, a series of checks runs directly on the watch. Automated and guided tests are combined with simple operator confirmations for items such as buttons, screens, and audio. The workflow advances step by step, and results are captured automatically. 

After these 10+ diagnostics are complete, secure erasure (whether through factory reset or another data sanitization standard) is performed as part of the same workflow. Once erased, the watch is no longer paired, and a new watch can be paired and processed using the same companion phone. A full report is generated, including device details, diagnostic results, and erasure confirmation. 

For operators, the experience is consistent. For managers, the outcome is predictable. Apple Watch recycling becomes repeatable, auditable, and scalable. 

For Apple, series 6 and newer watches are supported. 

Android smartwatch recycling with flexible connectivity 

Android smartwatch recycling through Google’s Wear OS also follows a workflow-driven approach. 

Android watches running Wear OS may connect in different ways depending on the device. Some models can connect directly via WiFi, and all Android watches can also be processed using a companion device. 

Despite these differences, the operator experience remains consistent. Multiple devices can be batch processed, with diagnostics, data erasure, and reporting results all flowing into the central Blancco Management Portal. 

This flexibility matters in real-world environments. Android inventory often arrives mixed across models and generations. Blancco supports this variation without forcing operators to learn different processes.

Reporting and compliance without extra steps

As with other IT assets, responsible smartwatch recycling should offer clear documentation. 

Blancco generates reports automatically for each processed device. Diagnostics results and erasure confirmation are captured as part of the workflow, reducing the need for separate tools and manual record keeping. 

This supports transparency and trust across the resale chain. It also helps align with R2v3 expectations without adding complexity for operators. 

Compliance becomes a built-in outcome of the process rather than an additional task. 

Beyond smartwatches 

While smartwatches are driving momentum today, they are not the only wearables entering secondary markets. Devices such as wireless earbuds are increasingly appearing in returns streams and the same challenges apply. Manual handling does not scale. Inconsistent results reduce value. 

Blancco’s workflow-based approach is designed to adapt as device categories evolve. The goal is not to solve a single device type, but to support a scalable model for wearable recycling as a whole. 

Turning smartwatch recycling into a scalable advantage 

Smartwatch recycling is now part of everyday operations for mobile processors and ITADs. As the volume of devices in the secondary market grows, manual approaches will fall further and further behind. 

Blancco’s mobile solutions provide a structured and repeatable way to process smartwatches (and other wearables) at scale. Guided workflows reduce variation and batch processing improves throughput. 

With the right process in place, smartwatches stop being a bottleneck and start becoming a reliable source of value.