User profile for user: lobanov_il
lobanov_il Author
User level: Level 1
6 points

Unable to Sign In to Apple ID in Watch App – “Verification Failed” Error

I’m experiencing an issue when trying to sign in to my Apple ID through the Watch app. I have a paired iPhone and Apple Watch, and everything is synchronized properly.


However, when I open the Watch app and attempt to sign in with my Apple ID, after entering the credentials and tapping “Sign In,” I receive the following error message:


“Verification Failed – An unknown error occurred.”


I’ve tried multiple internet connections, including both Wi-Fi and LTE, but the issue persists. At the same time, my Apple ID works without any problems on other devices.


My devices:


  • iPhone 16 Pro Max (latest iOS version installed)
  • Apple Watch SE (latest watchOS version installed)



Could you please help me resolve this issue?


iPhone 16 Pro Max

Posted on May 15, 2025 3:05 AM

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User profile for user: LD150
LD150
User level: Level 10
99,409 points

Posted on May 15, 2025 6:15 AM

The thing that concerns me is that you should never have to do this. Whilst pairing the watch to the phone, it will ask you once for your Apple account and password, and from then on it should never ask it again.


I suggest you go to iPhone, Watch app, My Watch tab, all watches, unpair the watch, then pair it again.


if you have more than one Apple account on your phone, or if you have apps that were installed by a previous user, or you have apps on the watch which are now obsolete, then you might expect to be asked for your password frequently.

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User profile for user: LD150
LD150
User level: Level 10
99,409 points

May 15, 2025 6:15 AM in response to lobanov_il

The thing that concerns me is that you should never have to do this. Whilst pairing the watch to the phone, it will ask you once for your Apple account and password, and from then on it should never ask it again.


I suggest you go to iPhone, Watch app, My Watch tab, all watches, unpair the watch, then pair it again.


if you have more than one Apple account on your phone, or if you have apps that were installed by a previous user, or you have apps on the watch which are now obsolete, then you might expect to be asked for your password frequently.

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User profile for user: lobanov_il
lobanov_il Author
User level: Level 1
6 points

May 15, 2025 8:01 AM in response to LD150

Thank you for your suggestion.


I have already unpaired and reset the Apple Watch, but unfortunately the issue remains.


The error actually appears during the initial pairing process — when it first asks me to enter my Apple ID. That’s when I get the “Verification Failed – An unknown error occurred” message.


I skip that step to finish the pairing process, and then later try to sign in through the account settings in the Watch app — but the same error appears again.

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User profile for user: lobanov_il
lobanov_il Author
User level: Level 1
6 points

May 16, 2025 2:22 AM in response to LD150

Thank you for your suggestions.

  1. I have already removed the VPN from my iPhone.
  2. I tried keeping Bluetooth both on and off — the issue happens in both cases.
  3. I do have a working physical SIM card installed in the phone.


Unfortunately, the problem still persists: when I try to sign in with my Apple ID in the Watch app, I get the error message “Verification Failed – An unknown error occurred.”

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User profile for user: Annel_S
Annel_S
User level: Level 1
8 points

May 17, 2025 9:52 AM in response to lobanov_il

I have the same problem! Trying to pair my IPhone 16 Pro and Apple Watch SE, and it doesn't work.

“Verification Failed – An unknown error occurred.” Moreover, I'm facing constant problems with apple watch and iphone connection, it doesn't synchronize and says "not connected". Alredy tried to unpair my devices and pair again. It doesn't work. Looks like it's a system failure without any answers how to fix it.

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Unable to Sign In to Apple ID in Watch App – “Verification Failed” Error

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