My employer requires that Simple Passcode is disabled on my Apple Watch. When trying to select a card in Apple wallet for Express Transit, I get an error “Could Not Set Express Transit Card” The screen flashes “Enter the passcode on Your Apple Watch to set <card name> as an Express Transit card. I’ve tried resetting my watch and setting up as a new device, but still get the same error.
The problem here is with WatchOS - there needs to be a way to select a card for express transit if simple passcode is disabled (note here that disabling simple passcodes means passcodes on the iPhone needs to be complex)
Disabling passcode on the Watch would leave the watch wide open to theft and any finder can spend your money if cards were allowed without passcode. That's why phones and watches must be secured by passcodes or better.
Please read the post again - simple passcodes being disabled is higher security as it requires complex passcodes instead. Apple Pay is enabled and the problem here is that it is not possible to add a card that is already on Apple Pay on the watch and working to be enabled for express transit.
Read my answer again.
The employers insisted on some non standard security method so it no longer works for payment.
If they insist on fittings square wheels to your company car they can't blame the car manufacturer if it will not run as expected
Payment works, express transit works only if it's a new card added - so there is no restrictions here.
The thing that doesn't work is to select a different express transit card as there is a bug in WatchOS.
Maybe its not a bug that is worth fixing, but its a bug nonetheless.
If you have passcode turned off the security is very weak hence no Apple Pay at all. Same on your iphone.
It’s not that there is no passcode, I have no option for Simple Passcode. The watch will not unlock except through the phone.
Best ask your company's IT support how to get around the problem if they impose a profile on your iphone (where I suspect it is) or Watch
Maybe your employer does not want you to have payment cards on their watches.
As I said to the OP, talk to your employer, they imposed this.
Unable to set Express Transit with Simple passcode turned off
