Apple Watch SE requires FaceTime, which I do not have or use

Question

Level 1

18 points

Apple Watch SE requires FaceTime, which I do not have or use

My daughter gifted her Apple Watch SE to me. After unpairing it from her iPhone, I get stuck at the FaceTime login screen on my iPhone 14 Pro Max.

On that screen in the setup process, I only get two options: Enter password and Change password. It is ridiculous that Apple mandates a Meta function, without not giving me the option not to use FaceTime, which I neither use nor want.

Is there a workaround? My iPhone Pro Max uses iOS 18 and all software is updated automatically.

iPhone 14 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Sep 15, 2025 8:55 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

lkrupp

Level 7

21,823 points

Sep 15, 2025 9:29 AM in response to DenaliDad

There is no requirement to use FaceTime. You do not understand the process. Simply use the option to enter your Apple Account password instead of FaceTime and continue ion. Without FaceTime or Touch ID enabled you must manually enter your password each time.

If you forgot your Apple Account password - Apple Support

If you forgot your iPhone passcode or your iPhone is disabled - Apple Support

In addition if your daughter did not prepare the Watch Se for gifting or selling you may not be able to pair it to your iPhone 14 until she does.

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Apple Watch, or buy one from someone else - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 2

Branta_uk

Level 7

32,892 points

Sep 15, 2025 10:10 AM in response to DenaliDad

Simple question. Did you have to enter the login credentials for your Apple ID (Apple Account) during first setup and pairing?

If you didn't get asked to enter your details it's a pretty safe bet that your daughter didn't remove the device properly from her account, and it will still be locked down by Activation Lock. Please see the link posted by @lkrupp earlier in the thread,

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Apple Watch, or buy one from someone else - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 3

lkrupp

Level 7

21,823 points

Sep 15, 2025 11:00 AM in response to DenaliDad

Simply tap the “enter password” and a window will open to enter it. The .mac, .me and iCloud.com emails are treated as the same email. So if you have forgotten your Apple Account password you have a big problem to deal with.

Reply

Answer 4

BobHarris

Level 9

56,621 points

Sep 15, 2025 10:03 PM in response to DenaliDad

FYI: A) you need to follow the instructions on

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Apple Watch, or buy one from someone else - Apple Support

which have been mentioned twice previously. Otherwise, the Apple Watch still thinks it is your daughter’s.

B) You do want Messages if you wish to use SMS/MMS, as that form of TEXTing requires the iPhone’s cellular radio, and the Apple Watch & iPhone use Messages under the table to relay SMS/MMS TEXT messages.

Reply

Answer 5

lkrupp

Level 7

21,823 points

Sep 15, 2025 12:05 PM in response to DenaliDad

I might add that the password required is the one you created when you first activated your iPhone Pro Max. That is the password your phone is locked to. If you have since created a different Apple Account and password that will be your issue.

And if all else fails then you will like have to contact Apple Support and open a ticket for help. We here are just fellow users like yourself who volunteer to try and help as best we can. We are not Apple employees or Apple contractors, nor does Apple Support monitor or participate in these forums.

Reply

Answer 6

DenaliDad Author

Level 1

18 points

Sep 15, 2025 10:00 AM in response to lkrupp

Well, thank you for the slightly snarky response. Since I seem not to understand the process as well as you, I wonder if perhaps you could explain where my Apple password goes on this screen, the last one I can get to in the pairing process. You will note only two options, neither of which is to enter my Apple password, which I have not forgotten. Using my Apple password in that 'Enter password' field does not work. {It is the <me.com> email to which I no longer have access.}

[Edited by Moderator]

Reply

Answer 7

DenaliDad Author

Level 1

18 points

Sep 15, 2025 10:36 AM in response to DenaliDad

Well, thank you for the slightly snarky response. Since I seem not to understand the process as well as you, I wonder if perhaps you could explain where my Apple password goes on this screen, the last one I can get to in the pairing process. You will note only two options, neither of which is to enter my Apple password, which I have not forgotten. Using my Apple password in that 'Enter password' field does not work. {It is a <me.com> email to which I no longer have access; it is not showing due to Apple's privacy rules.}

[Edited by Moderator]

Reply

Answer 8

DenaliDad Author

Level 1

18 points

Sep 15, 2025 12:28 PM in response to lkrupp

Thanks for that, lkrupp. It was helpful. It appears at least one bit of information is missing in my intrafamily communication...not that unusual, I suppose; I am working on that. <As an aside, someone or something monitors these posts; one bit of disallowed personal information was removed from my photo ...>

Reply

Answer 9

Sep 15, 2025 12:59 PM in response to DenaliDad

DenaliDad wrote:

<As an aside, someone or something monitors these posts; one bit of disallowed personal information was removed from my photo ...>

The Hosts monitor the threads for things that violate the terms of use. One of those things is email addresses or other personally identifying information.

Reply

Answer 10

DenaliDad Author

Level 1

18 points

Sep 15, 2025 3:41 PM in response to DenaliDad

To close this issue, I worked with my daughter to verify that she did, indeed, follow the instructions on changing Watch owners, and she did. Alas, nothing changed; I still end up on the FaceTime login page--though how, I do not know, since I have not had a Meta account of any kind for decades--with no way to move forward. A password is being automatically filled in from somewhere, though I do not know where. I used my Apple login information in another place, and it worked fine, so it is not a password issue.

I believe I am a candidate for a visit to the Apple Store repair desk. Thank you all for the help.

Reply

Answer 11

DenaliDad Author

Level 1

18 points

Sep 15, 2025 10:51 AM in response to Branta_uk

Thanks. I am working with her on that; I am not sure what she did or did not do before handing me the watch.

Reply