Watch keeps locking

Same problem here - received my 42mm Space Gray Sport model yesterday and immediately noticed that it was prompting me for a passcode every time the screen went off - even when worn tightly on my non-tattooed wrist. My wife has the 38mm Sport and it works perfectly. I had her put mine on her wrist and it fails just the same.

Apple Care was helpful and will repair or replace it but, due to the fact the watches are still in short supply - they can't send me a replacement right away. But, of course, they want mine back now! Oh well, I waited two months for it, I guess I can wait some more for one that works properly.

In the meantime, I have turned off "Wrist Detection" and will continue to use Apple Pay with my iPhone. I will see what Activity Tracking issues crop up. I still have not been able to get a definitive answer on exactly what turning off Wrist Detection disables, besides Apple Pay...

Bill

Hello everyone, ive also had the same problem. I found a small fix for as far as i know on mine. Basically all you gotta do is hold the apple watch both sides and with your thumbs apply pressure on the circle sensor part. As far as i know it fixed twice for me and has been working for a week straight. I have never dropped or damaged my watch. Im guessing its a hardware issue. im guessing it becomes loose and it needs a little of a push. So far so good

Thanks for the tip!

Well yesterday I received my second Apple watch - 42mm sports edition and ohhhhhh let's see - that **** thing did it again... Just like the first one I sold for a loss. At least this time I was able to return this to the Apple Store and that is exactly what I did today. What does having 200 billion in cash mean when you can't fix a 500.00 watch?

my third Apple watch - 42mm black steel will be arriving shortly. This could very well become a 3 strikes and you're out situation! Good thing it only cost me time and money - apple must think I have plenty of each one.

all working perfectly everyday !!

THe watch syncs through bluetooth, and Also wifi to your phone when on the same network(aka home)

if the Bluetooth link to your phone is interrupted , it will auto lock the watch and require passcode if set. The watch will sense as soon as the sensor touches the skin. Try rebooting the watch( press and hold both the crown and side buttons until the apple logo reappear. Then unlink the watch from your phone under Blootooth and re sink it with the watch app again .

I had this same issue this morning. Tried everything: rebooting watch, rebooting phone, turn off/on wifi, turn on/off bluetooth, repairing the watch to the phone and nothing worked. The thing that worked for me was having it measure my heartbeat. I'm not sure if this "kicked off" the wrist detection, but now it's working great and my stress level is finally going down! 🙂

bruin76 wrote:

... but now it's working great and my stress level is finally going down! 🙂

And your heart rate too, presumably 🙂

This worked for me the first time I had this issue, but is not working now, the second time this happened. Both times my watch started locking every time it turned off the face was Monday morning after I put it on. It has happened both Monday mornings I have had the watch now. The solution above worked for me the first week, but it is not working now. This needs to be fixed. at first I was surprised a Software based fix solved this problem, but I am now back to thinking it may be a problem with my watch's sensors.

I wish Apple would respond to this situation, it is clearly not an isolated issue.

You know, what I don't seem to understand is why Apple cannot address this issue immediately. I am tatted on both arms the same way and I went to the Apple store to return my second watch and they told me that the tats were the reason. However, I am seeing that this is not the case. People without tats are having the same issue.

I could care less if it can read my heart beat. Perhaps they should have put that same sensor that detects your face on the iPhone so that it looks for heat (i believe) rather than pigment for the wrist detection. Very disappointed.

Hey Apple, how about you test this on me and when it works you can ship out a product to the rest of the folks. Ugh so frustrating.

I got it working again using this method. The key seems to be to keep the watch awake from when you enter the passcode when it is off your wrist, to getting it back snuggly on your wrist and then toggling phone Wifi off while still active. Hope this helps those with this issue and even better those responsible to code the eventual solution.

I Received my replacement watch 3 days ago and the new one keeps locking as well.

Apple isn't here - tell them at http://www.apple.com/feedback

The tats may or may not be relevant. The watch uses its backface sensors to detect whether it's on your wrist or not - the tats may affect that. Speaking as a non-expert, I wouldn't have expected that the pattern you have would be a major problem - plenty of skin-coloured skin available - but, it's only Apple that can get this sorted

Being the sensors use infrared , the dark tat ink esp black absorbs IR

Ive tested it in my own arm bands in several positions and it happens on and off depending if its adjacent to or right on top.

design is like yours in the rist area.

THe only way around would disable pass lock and or wrist detection. But then apply pay may not function from watch due to no security being turned on

Same here, 42mm space grey. (I'm wondering if this is a particular issue to this colour combo?)

I tried everything and in the end I have disabled wrist detection for the time being but it is being returned this week for a refund and I have ordered a new one (rather than wait) The new one will be silver with white strap so that will be interesting.

Isn't Apple stuff supposed to 'Just work'?

If you are still having this issue please contact Apple at 1-800-MY-APPLE