Alphanumeric passcode unlock on apple watch

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Level 1

8 points

Alphanumeric passcode unlock on apple watch

My iPhone is provided by my employer. Part of the device management policy requires an alphanumeric passcode.

This generally isn’t a big deal - I use biometrics to unlock 99 times out of 100.

Where it becomes an issue is when I leave my iPhone behind (or if I lost it, it got stolen, etc). If my watch somehow gets locked (band is loose on my wrist, have to take the watch off to charge it, etc.), and I don’t have my iPhone, I have no way to unlock my Apple Watch. I can always use the emergency 911 feature, but other than that I have zero functionality.

I have the cellular connected apple watch to have a second connection possibility in scenarios where I can’t or don’t want to take my iPhone, but I always worry the watch will get locked and I won’t be able to unlock it.

I petitioned my employer to drop the alphanumeric passcode requirement, but of course they refused.

Anyone have a workaround?

Would be great if Apple could create a way to unlock an Apple Watch with an alphanumeric passcode without the paired iPhone. Even if the method was clunky and cumbersome, it would be better than nothing.

Apple Watch Series 7

Posted on Oct 16, 2022 11:40 AM

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Answer 1

k_p95

Level 5

4,162 points

Oct 16, 2022 3:34 PM in response to jakeborf

Hi,

I’ve seen this once before, and it was resolved by changing a setting on the restrictions for the supervised device. There should be an option to allow to unlock with the Apple Watch that must be enabled; otherwise, you would follow the standard process to unlock the watch with iPhone in Passcode Settings or Settings > Face ID and Passcode.

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Answer 2

jakeborf Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 16, 2022 2:39 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Hi Lobsterghost1.

I’m in favor of passcodes. The problem is the only way to unlock an Apple Watch when the passcode requirement for the iPhone and watch is set to alphanumeric is to unlock the watch with the iphone.

If you have an Apple Watch, try it (set your passcode requirement to alphanumeric and try to unlock your watch without your iPhone). You will see what I am talking about.

Thanks

Jake

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Answer 3

jakeborf Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 16, 2022 5:10 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Hi Lobsterghost1,

Well, apple could fix it by creating a method to enter an alphanumeric (must include numbers and letters) passcode directly on the apple watch. Technically possible, but doesn’t seem to exist today.

I appreciate all the input and am hoping that others similarly afflicted will also somehow vote for this article, Apple will pay attention, and maybe one day they will create a method to enter an alphanumeric passcode on an Apple Watch!

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Answer 4

k_p95

Level 5

4,162 points

Oct 16, 2022 3:40 PM in response to jakeborf

Hi,

Do you have wrist detection enabled?

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Answer 5

Oct 16, 2022 3:44 PM in response to jakeborf

I see. And it does appear you are limited by what the managed device service from your employer limits you too. This is not something we users or Apple can fix for you.

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Answer 6

Oct 16, 2022 5:16 PM in response to jakeborf

Feel free to make the suggestion to Apple --> Feedback - Watch - Apple

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Answer 7

Oct 16, 2022 12:39 PM in response to jakeborf

I'm not sure I understand the issue. You can use a Passcode on Apple Watch. In fact you SHOULD be using a passcode on your Apple Watch.

On the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Open it. Tap Passcode. Set up a Passcode for your watch.

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Answer 8

Oct 16, 2022 2:59 PM in response to jakeborf

Nope. I do own Apple Watch and have owned several. I now own Apple Watch Ultra and I powered off my iPhone completely, then put my watch on my wrist and unlocked it with my numeric passcode. Which is exactly what it's supposed to do.

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Answer 9

jakeborf Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 16, 2022 3:36 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Hi, the difference is that I am required to use an alphanumeric (consisting of both letters and numbers) passcode. Purely numeric is no problem but with an alphanumeric passcode I get the attached if I try to unlock the Apple Watch

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Answer 10

jakeborf Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 16, 2022 5:23 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Thanks, I put in the suggestion. Didn’t know that was possible.

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Answer 11

Oct 16, 2022 5:24 PM in response to jakeborf

You're welcome.

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Alphanumeric passcode unlock on apple watch

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