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Unable to set Express Transit when unlocking Apple Watch with iPhone

There’s a bug in the express transit logic when the watch is set to unlock with the iPhone (instead of unlock with the passcode)


I can add a card and set it for express travel *right after resetting the watch*.

After that initial time has passed, the express setting can only be disabled.

Every time I try to set it up to a card the settings go in a loop of requesting the passcode (even though it is not in use) and throwing an error. Instead, it should use FaceID on my iPhone to confirm it’s me (because that is the method to unlock the watch).


Resetting the watch every time is not an acceptable solution.

Disabling the “unlock with iPhone” and switch to passcode is not an acceptable solution (it is less secure and it would force me to remove the work profile and all my work apps).


Many people have this issue, it comes up every year and no one gets a satisfactory answer.

I spent hours submitting debug and logs, but nothing changes.

Apple Watch Series 5, watchOS 10

Posted on Nov 19, 2024 1:48 AM

Reply
10 replies

Nov 19, 2024 7:35 AM in response to demon2k

So, yes, it’s a managed iPhone and I believe that’s the issue. If you want to resolve this, if it can be, you should open a support ticket with Apple Support. Continue to politely push the issue and get it escalated until you can speak to an engineer.


My gut feeling is the managed device prevents what’s you want from happening. An engineer will be able to confirm.

Nov 19, 2024 7:56 AM in response to Jeff Donald

Here were I would put my bet:


There is a hardcoded check when enabling Express Transport Card, which (instead of checking for the unlocking method in use) always expects a passcode.


However, and this is important as well, the passcode only becomes mandatory at some point after the watch has been paired from scratch, because if I’m quick enough I can set up an express transport card (once it is set it stays there and it works fine!)


This is a very obvious error in the logic, it should be very straightforward to find and (hopefully, fix). I’m not even sure why request a passcode when I am setting things up from my iPhone, that I have unlocked, on my watch, that is also unlocked on my wrist…

Unable to set Express Transit when unlocking Apple Watch with iPhone

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