New Watch Series 8 - enable passcode greyed out?

Question

Level 1

9 points

New Watch Series 8 - enable passcode greyed out?

Hi, there seem to be a lot of threads with people wanting to turn off the passcode on their watch. However I want to switch mine on. I purchased it a week ago (new from Apple) and originally had it set up on my iPhone 11 PRO. I did set a 4 digit code as part of the setup.

I have now upgraded to a new iPhone 14 PRO and have moved the watch to this new device. I unpaired it and reinstalled. Again I set up the same 4 digit passcode, however I am never prompted to use it. I discovered the option to enable it is greyed out.

Both devices are personal and are not managed in any way by a corporate MDM solution, nor do I have access to my corporate Exchange account, which I read might be creating the restriction.

I have looked at a lot of threads here, but cannot seem to find a scenario that matched mine. Hence my post. Apologies if I have missed something already posted, but if there is someone that has any ideas, I would be very grateful. Thanks :)

Apple Watch Series 8

Posted on Jan 16, 2023 02:27 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LD150

Level 10

95,565 points

Jan 16, 2023 03:49 AM in response to Tooshy1054

When you take the Watch off, does the little blue padlock appear at the top of the Watch face?

If yes then the Watch is protected by passcode and possibly the phone is unlocking it for you when you open the phone.

Also check that if Screen Time is turned off on the iphone then you can then have the ability to turn off passcode (except don't!)

If you can put on the Watch and no blue padlock appears and you can press side button without being challenged for passcode then it isn't protected.

Unpair it and set up again.

Reply

Answer 2

LD150

Level 10

95,565 points

Jan 16, 2023 07:50 AM in response to Tooshy1054

By the way Screen Time is mainly used to restrict kids as parental controls, ir for you to log time on screen. If you navigate through you can find what restriction was turned on, probably account changes, and turn it off. You don't get any extra protection from it yourself. Then you can continue logging your use.

Reply

Answer 3

Tooshy1054 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 16, 2023 06:36 AM in response to LD150

Hello, thank you for your response. When I take the watch off, there is no padlock. The screen goes black but when I pick it up it's ready to go, no passcode required.

I took a look at screen time and it was ON. I switched it off and that enabled the passcode button, so I have switched on Passcode. Yay! However any restrictions I set are now off. It seems strange that in order to protect my watch, I have to remove protection elsewhere.

Thank you so much for your help, much appreciated :D

Reply

Answer 4

LD150

Level 10

95,565 points

Jan 16, 2023 07:43 AM in response to Tooshy1054

You're welcome, yes they work as one in many respects.

Reply

New Watch Series 8 - enable passcode greyed out?

Similar questions