How to add a debit card to my teen's managed Apple Watch?

Hey buhgmama,

Thanks for clarifying. What you're describing is expected when using Apple Pay feature on an Apple Watch that was set up for a family member.

Apple Pay features:

• Apple Cash Family is available to users under the age of 18, allowing them to make purchases and send and receive money in Messages with Apple Pay (United States only).
• You can use Apple Pay to top up a Transit card on your family member's Apple Watch.
• Apple Pay using a credit, debit, or transit card in the Wallet app is not available with Family Setup.

See more about that here: Set up Apple Pay on Apple Watch

Thanks

Hey there buhgmama,

Whenever you set up an Apple Watch for a family member, you have to have Family Sharing set up with that person on your account. You are likely the organizer of the account and will need to enable "Ask to Buy" for your daughter to make purchases. With Family Sharing, there is only one payment method for the entire account; however, if your daughter has a credit/balance on their account, that balance will be used first for purchases.

If you prefer adding money to their Apple ID, this link will help: Add money to your Apple ID balance

To turn on Ask to Buy and allow your daughter to make purchases, please look over the steps for your device here:

Approve what kids buy with Ask to Buy

We think you'll find the information below regarding Family Sharing helpful:

One adult in the family — the family organizer — can set up Family Sharing for the group from their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. If purchase sharing is turned on, the family organizer pays for family members' purchases and must have a valid payment method on file. Check which payment methods are available in your country or region.

You can learn more here: Set up Family Sharing

Take care!