Apple Pay is not working on my Apple Watch

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Richard.Taylor Author

Level 6

17,065 points

Apple Pay is not working on my Apple Watch

On my new iPhone 16, Apple Pay works fine. My series 6 watch seems to work fine with it except for Apple Pay.

My iPhone 12 and series 6 Watch worked fine with Apple Pay
WatchOS 11.1
My new iPhone works with Apple Pay, no problems
My watch shows the cards that are on the iPhone
I've forced re-start on both several times
I've tried over several days with different vendors
The watch makes a little "dinck" sound. When I give up, the iPhone works.

I'm flummoxed. I can't think of what to try next. Any ideas?

Apple Watch Series 6

Posted on Dec 11, 2024 11:53 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

varjak paw

Level 10

182,662 points

Dec 11, 2024 4:17 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

I presume you mean that you double-click the side button and select a card on the Watch (not on the phone). If your iPhone works successfully with the same card reader, it could be a hardware issue with the NFC chip in the Watch. But I'd suggest unpairing and re-pairing the Watch so it starts fresh:

Unpair and erase your Apple Watch - Apple Support

If that doesn't cure the problem, it may indeed a hardware issue. If you have an Apple Store in your area, make an appointment with them to have the Watch evaluated.

Regards.

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Answer 2

WheelieNick

Level 8

45,887 points

Dec 11, 2024 1:02 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

What is happening when you want to use Apple Pay? Have you tried to add the cards to the watch directly instead of mirroring it from the iPhone?

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Answer 3

Richard.Taylor Author

Level 6

17,065 points

Dec 11, 2024 3:56 PM in response to WheelieNick

I double click, select a card on the phone; it says hold near; I hold it near; it makes a little ping, but no buzz, and the operator says, use the real card.

I tried mirror, then added cards in some sort of direct way that I’ve forgotten, but it now looks just like it did before.

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Answer 4

Richard.Taylor Author

Level 6

17,065 points

Dec 12, 2024 7:41 AM in response to varjak paw

I unnpaired and paired watch last night. It looks just like it did before.

I went to breakfast this morning and confidently offered my Apple Watch to pay. A similar bad tone sounded, and I was refused. So I used my phone for Apple Pay, instead. In other words, nothing has changed.

I tried to make an appointment with the Genius Bar, and I got this:

The "better options" are for setting up Apple Pay. I swear, it was easier just a year ago-- I didn't have to go through multiple screens to get to nothing. Sorry for the mini-rant.

I'll eat my breakfast and see if they will answer the phone after opening time, later.

If it's really the RFID hardware in the watch, I'm guessing that means a new watch.

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Answer 5

Richard.Taylor Author

Level 6

17,065 points

Dec 13, 2024 9:10 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

Oddly, the Apple Pay worked on my Watch this morning. I guess I'm canceling the Genius Bar appointment.

I checked: my phone did not update to 18.2 last night, and nothing else happened that I can think of.

Imagine a world controlled by these things…

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Apple Pay is not working on my Apple Watch

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