Your iPhone has a policy that requires a new Apple Watch passcode

To Apple team:

No matter whatever data security reasons behind that. I just want to share the fact that I haven't been wearing my apple watch ultra anymore since mandatory passcode. It's just terrible experience.

And I think it is not fair that I spend my money to buy this product, but I don't have a choice over how should I use it.

I REALLY hate this feature of my watch. Why can't you code it so the watch opens with facial recognition? It does require you to put the passcode in once per day. You sold me on the cellular feature so that I don't need to bring my phone with me everywhere I go. Also, I never type the password in only once before I get it right. It is too small to get the right numbers punched everytime I open it. Does anyone type on their watch? Heck no! Stop making me do something so darn frustrating! This will be last time I buy an apple product unless you the unlock feature is upgraded to use facial recognition to open.

This is a terrible user experience. At least users should have an option to NOT "receive codes to unlock a Mac or iPhone" so that we don't have to setup a passcode for watch for security reason...

Users wear the watch for good experience at the end of the day. And those advance data collection is not even what users are asking for. Many users would rather having their watch NOT storing any of the sensitive data than to have a 6-digits passcode.

I rarely comment on these replies but Jayprog’s reply in this thread was so arrogant to an extent that sounds ridiculous. The problem of this issue is it simply ignores users right to choose. Is there any place in EULA or contracts with Apple stating “user must set up a passcode to use our service”? If not, I would consider this as a breach of contract that rendered my device unusable.

As for Jayprog, I am grateful that Apple support at least say something in a more respectful manner than your reply…

Here is the thing. Your Apple Watch is linked to your Apple ID and therefore it has to be secured using a passcode. In latest iteration of iOS, the watch can receive codes to unlock a Mac or iPhone or sign in from another device.

You cannot have it your way where you have an unsecured watch linked to an iPhone that contains sensitive information. The Apple Watch also collects and stores sensitive health data and you definitely don’t want anyone who picks up that watch to read that info. You only need to enter the passcode when you put on the watch and later it with stay unlocked as long as your phone is with you and your watch is on your wrist(with heart beating off course).

Your problem may be that you are running an old version of iOS and cannot get these features.

Apple cares about your privacy, but if you just want to leave your data unsecured, then you can use other products that do not use better security.

I am not trying to have a dig at your frustration, but this is just the reality and you have to accept it and move on.

i'll admit this feature is painful and i'm suffering from the same issue. it may be possible to turn off passcode if you remove all your cards from apple pay and shut it off, as ive heard this solution from another forum, but ive never tried it .

my friend's apple watch (series 9) has never asked for a passcode, and she uses apple health and other watch apps just as i do, so far the only difference between us is that she does not use apple pay

if apple pay is what's causing this issue, since ive never used apple pay from my apple watch, i guess maybe it is possible to add a feature to only turn off apple pay on watch and free us from passcodes

This is my issue. My iPhone requires a ‘complex’ passcode with mix of letters, numbers etc and my watch only allows simple numeric passcode to be entered.

In my case I’m required to enter an alpha-numeric passcode which is not even possible on Apple Watch. This renders my watch redundant unless I carry a second phone with a different policy. As you say…. A dreadful customer experience and software design screw-up.

Im in the same shoe,I’ve reset my apple watch many times but it did not work. did you resolve the issue in the end? I used to be able to just use 4 digit passcode but now it forces me to use 6 digit and I cannot turn it off ( due to policy on my iphone? but my iphone is not company phone and doesn’t managed)

The idea once you put the watch on and enter the passcode once is False.

I have the passcode screen pop up from 10m to 20 times a day. I can barely see the watch face at all.

It is unfortunate that is 7 years Apple has not found a sensible solution.

Mine is no Apple pay

I’m sorry if my reply sounded rude but if you read my last paragraph, it’s just the reality. As for the legality and user choice, users need to read Apple’s T&Cs. You can setup an Apple Watch without a passcode but you cannot use some features like Apple Wallet or health data and iCloud without a passcode.

The problem is that many people don’t read the T&Cs and just click yes or agree so they can get over and use the new device. Apple gives users a choice to disagree but then a user will not be allowed to use the device features.

Again, not trying to sound ridiculous, I honestly don’t understand why anyone would buy an Apple watch to use as a wrist clock? It’s not what it’s for, it’s designed to work with an iPhone. Technically you need an iPhone to begin setting up the watch.

Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Is this Apple Watch associated with a work iPhone by any chance? I have seen situations where the user's company has imposed restrictions on the iPhone, and that may in turn impose restrictions on the Apple Watch.

If you do not have company restrictions, then you could try some of these to remove the passcode

https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/how-to-turn-off-passcode-on-apple-watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVEGUexgQEs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JfCeiyJqRI

Mindzman wrote:

The idea once you put the watch on and enter the passcode once is False.

It's not false. It's how it's supposed to work and how it does work for most people. That doesn't mean I don't believe you have the problem you report.

I have the passcode screen pop up from 10m to 20 times a day. I can barely see the watch face at all.

Do you, by any chance, have tattoos on the wrist on which you wear your watch?