Apple Intelligence now features Image Playground, Genmoji, Writing Tools enhancements, seamless support for ChatGPT, and visual intelligence.

Apple Intelligence has also begun language expansion with localized English support for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. Learn more >

You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: Tooshy1054
Tooshy1054 Author
User level: 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 2:27 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: LD150
LD150
User level: Level 10
91,477 points

Posted on Jan 16, 2023 3:49 AM

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.

View in context

Similar questions

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: LD150
LD150
User level: Level 10
91,477 points

Jan 16, 2023 3:49 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
User profile for user: LD150
LD150
User level: Level 10
91,477 points

Jan 16, 2023 7:50 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
User profile for user: Tooshy1054
Tooshy1054 Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Jan 16, 2023 6:36 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

New Watch Series 8 - enable passcode greyed out?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up