Can't set passcode on Apple Watch 10

I got my new Apple Watch 10 this morning. During initial setup/pairing, I created a long passcode, then re-entered it. All seemed good until I went to add my credit cards to the wallet. Said I needed a passcode. Looked at Passcode on the watch and my iPhone, grayed out. Tried unpairing, restarting both devices and starting over. No joy.


I've now unpaired/re-paired my new watch at least 3 times today. It asks for a passcode, I enter it, then it doesn't have it. Can't enable it from settings on the watch or my iPhone no matter what. Paired it by restoring from backup, nope. Paired it by creating a new watch (losing all my custom watch faces and settings), still no. Even tried not setting it at initial pairing, still can't set it later.


This is very annoying.


If anyone has any suggestions for me to try (besides waiting for WatchOS 11.1), I'm all ears.

Apple Watch Series 10

Posted on Oct 2, 2024 2:27 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 4, 2024 11:05 AM

You probably set a screen time passcode on your iPhone to lock Content and Privacy restrictions. On the iPhone, Settings - Screen Time - Content & Privacy restrictions. Remove the restriction and allow changes to Passcode & Face ID and accounts. After you set the watch passcode then you can turn the restrictions back on.

Similar questions

9 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 4, 2024 11:05 AM in response to dernub

You probably set a screen time passcode on your iPhone to lock Content and Privacy restrictions. On the iPhone, Settings - Screen Time - Content & Privacy restrictions. Remove the restriction and allow changes to Passcode & Face ID and accounts. After you set the watch passcode then you can turn the restrictions back on.

Oct 4, 2024 2:13 PM in response to Lluizzijr

Thank you for the reply, but that didn't fix it. Tried it multiple times, with reboots of both the iPhone and Watch in between, without reboots, you name it. But it did allow the phone passcode to be changed, just not the Watch. My friend at lunch kept asking me what I was doing. 😆 Put my iPhone away until I got home and tried again, Passcode On in the Watch app and on the watch still grayed out.


Sounded good, but it wasn't the fix. Thank you so much for trying.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Can't set passcode on Apple Watch 10

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.