Apple Watch Passcode: How to Set Up & Use

Securing Your Apple Watch with a Passcode

Just as you likely protect your iPhone with Touch ID or a passcode, safeguarding your Apple Watch against unauthorized access is also important. Furthermore, enabling a passcode on your watch is a prerequisite for utilizing Apple Pay.

You might anticipate the inconvenience of entering a passcode on the watch’s small screen frequently. Fortunately, this isn’t typically necessary. You’ll only be prompted to enter your passcode in specific scenarios, including:

• When your watch is restarted
• After manually locking and unlocking the device
• Upon removing and then re-wearing your watch

Therefore, if you wear your watch consistently throughout the day, you’ll generally only need to enter the passcode once upon initial use. We will guide you through enabling the passcode, modifying it, utilizing a longer passcode, and configuring automatic unlocking when your iPhone is unlocked.

NOTE: Frequent passcode requests may occur if your watch is worn loosely.

Activating the Passcode

To enable the passcode feature on your watch, we’ll begin using your iPhone. Locate and tap the “Watch” icon on your phone’s Home screen.

NOTE: It’s also possible to activate the passcode directly on your watch; instructions for this method will be provided later.

Ensure you are on the “My Watch” screen. If not, tap the “My Watch” icon at the bottom of the screen.

On the “My Watch” screen, select “Passcode”.

Tap “Turn Passcode On” on the subsequent “Passcode” screen.

NOTE: We will revisit the “Passcode” screen throughout this guide.

A message will appear on your phone, prompting you to create a new passcode on your watch.

A numeric keypad will display on your watch screen. Enter your desired passcode. The default passcode length is four digits.

NOTE: For enhanced security, consider using a different passcode for your Apple Watch than the one used on your iPhone.

As you input each digit, corresponding dots at the top of the watch screen will illuminate. If a number is entered incorrectly, tap the delete button located to the right of the “0”.

You will be asked to re-enter your passcode for confirmation. Repeat the process.

Your passcode is now set, and your watch will return to the clock face.

Modifying Your Watch Passcode

You may wish to change your passcode periodically. This can be accomplished on either your phone or your watch. We will demonstrate the process using your phone, though the steps are similar on the watch itself.

On the “Passcode” screen within the “Watch” app, tap “Change Passcode”.

Enter your current passcode on your watch.

Input the new passcode you wish to use on your watch.

Your watch is now secured with the new passcode.

Utilizing a Longer Passcode

For increased security, you can create a passcode up to 10 digits in length. To enable this option, disable “Simple Passcode” on the “Passcode” screen in the “Watch” app on your phone. The slider button will shift to the left and change to a black and white appearance.

Enter your existing 4-digit passcode on your watch.

Then, enter a 5- to 10-digit passcode and tap “OK” when finished.

You can now use the extended passcode to access your watch.

Unlock with iPhone

If you occasionally remove your Apple Watch, and prefer not to enter a passcode each time you put it back on, you can enable automatic unlocking when your iPhone is unlocked.

To activate this feature, tap “Unlock with iPhone” on the “Passcode” screen in the “Watch” app on your phone. This setting can also be toggled directly on the watch.

With “Unlock with iPhone” enabled, you may rarely need to enter your passcode on your Apple Watch, particularly if you wear it consistently.

Erase All Data

You can enhance your Apple Watch’s security by configuring it to automatically erase all data after 10 unsuccessful passcode attempts. To enable this feature, tap “Erase Data” on the “Passcode” screen in the “Watch” app on your phone.

Exercise caution when enabling this option, as incorrect passcode entries could lead to data loss.

Automatic Locking

You can configure your Apple Watch to automatically lock when it’s not being worn. To do this, open the “Watch” app on your iPhone and tap “General”.

On the “General” screen, tap “Wrist Detection” to turn the slider button green.

NOTE: The "Wrist Detection" option is required for Apple Pay functionality.

Manual Locking

There may be instances where you want to manually lock your watch while it’s on your wrist. To do so, press and hold the side button on your watch.

Three slider buttons will appear on your watch screen. Drag the “Lock Device” slider button to the right.

You will be prompted to enter your passcode the next time you attempt to use your Apple Watch.

Entering Your Passcode

If you remove your Apple Watch, wear it loosely, or manually lock it, you will be prompted to enter your passcode before you can use it. Simply tap out your passcode on the displayed numeric keypad.

Disabling the Passcode

If you no longer wish to use a passcode on your watch, you can disable it using either your watch or your phone. We will demonstrate the process on the watch this time. To disable the passcode using your phone, navigate to “My Watch”, then tap “Passcode”, where you’ll find the option to turn it off.

NOTE: Disabling your passcode will prevent you from using Apple Pay on your Apple Watch.

On your watch, press the digital crown to access the Home screen and tap the “Settings” icon.

Tap “Passcode” on the “Settings” screen.

On the “Passcode” screen, tap “Turn Passcode Off”.

Enter your current passcode.

The “Passcode” screen will now display the “Turn Passcode On” option.

If you have forgotten your passcode, you will need to reset your watch to regain access.