Anyone having watch sensor issues when doing heavy lifting? Constantly asking for password?

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Level 1

8 points

Anyone having watch sensor issues when doing heavy lifting? Constantly asking for password?

I bought my boyfriend the Apple Watch SE and he's having issues where the watch constantly asks him for his password - he said it specifically happens when he's doing manual labour (lifting boxes, moving large items) or when the watch moves up and down over the wrist bone. I have the series 3 and I've NEVER had the watch lock on me when I'm wearing it, even if I move it up and down the wrist bone. The only other thing is he does have tattoos on his watch arm - wondering if that is affecting the sensor?

Posted on Dec 10, 2020 12:41 PM

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Answer 1

ArmMan1016

Community Specialist

Dec 15, 2020 9:08 AM in response to manduhsaurus

Hey there manduhsaurus,

We can understand the concern with the Apple Watch asking for the passcode repeatedly. We're happy to help you and your boyfriend with this. This sounds like it may be an issue with the Wrist Detection feature in his Apple Watch. Permanent markings like tattoos can interfere with the readings of the Watch. Wrist Detection automatically locks the Watch when he takes it off, so the tattoos could be causing this confusion with the device. He is able to turn this function off following the steps here: Lock or unlock Apple Watch. Scroll down to "Lock automatically", and use the guidance provided.

You mentioned that his Apple Watch is moving up and down over his wrist. It's possible that the Apple Watch is too loose. Check out the "A better fit means better readings" section of this article: Wearing your Apple Watch.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Have a great day!

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Answer 2

manduhsaurus Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 15, 2020 9:35 AM in response to manduhsaurus

Also. You should insure your store employees know about this tattoo issue because when I asked I was told no there’s no way it’s the tattoos.

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Answer 3

manduhsaurus Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 15, 2020 9:26 AM in response to ArmMan1016

We tried the watch in my brother in law who has no tattoos and it worked fine, never locked. There isn’t anything wrong with the wrist detection (although this is the second watch we got cause there was something wrong with the first one). So there are issues with tattoos, we don’t want to turn off the passcode bc he wants to use Apple Pay. I don’t want him to have a watch he can’t use all functionality on. Doesn’t make sense.

the watch doesn’t move up and down on its own, I just meant if he pushes the watch a bit on his wrist it locks. I do this and it never locks for me.

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Anyone having watch sensor issues when doing heavy lifting? Constantly asking for password?

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