Can't set passcode on Apple Watch 10

Question

Level 1

6 points

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

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Lluizzijr

Level 1

17 points

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.

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Answer 2

rcherd

Level 1

17 points

Jan 2, 2025 1:32 PM in response to Lluizzijr

This worked for me. I changed the "Content & Privacy restrictions - Passcode & Face ID" setting from "Don't Allow" to "Allow" and was able to successfully enter a passcode for my watch. Thank you!

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Answer 3

Nov 23, 2024 5:18 AM in response to 8ing0

had the same problem. You have to turn off content & privacy restrictions for everything not just passcode i.e. first listed item. then you can put in watch passcode.

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Answer 4

Oct 4, 2024 4:39 PM in response to Will Strother

I got it to work. I try to set up Apple Wallet on iphone for my watch and it told me to set up a passcode and it took me to screen to setup and it worked.

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Answer 5

dernub Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 4, 2024 4:48 PM in response to Will Strother

Doesn't work for me, that's how I found out it wasn't getting set in the first place. I even tried it again right now, it takes me to the Passcode part of the Watch app and everything is grayed out. I guess it's time to file a Feedback report and/or head to see an Apple Genius at the store.

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Answer 6

dernub Author

Level 1

6 points

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.

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