How to Fix Apple Watch Passcode Greyed Out Issue

Common Causes of the Passcode Greyed Out Problem

The most common cause of a greyed out passcode are a setting that disallows changes to the passcode when Screen Time is turned on. If you disallowed password changes in the settings, you will find that changes to your passcode settings are not available.

On watchOS 10 or later, Apple Watch MDM restrictions can prevent changes to user profile settings, including the password of your Apple account. However, unless your watch is enrolled in a mobile device management plan by your company, this is unlikely to be the case in your situation.

Steps to Fix Apple Watch Passcode Greyed Out Issue

How to Fix Apple Watch Passcode Greyed Out Issue 3 — Steps to Fix Apple Watch Passcode Greyed Out Issue

To fix the Apple Watch passcode issue and resolve greyed out passcode settings, navigate to Settings > Screen Time > Content Privacy & Restrictions > Passcode Changes (Passcode Changes is under the Allow Changes section). If it’s set to Don’t Allow, change it to allow passcode changes.

Another option is simply turning off Screen Time altogether.

If that doesn’t work, try resetting your Apple Watch. Follow these Apple Watch reset instructions:

Open the Settings app on your watch.
Go to General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
Enter your passcode and follow the on-screen prompts.

See more reset instructions here.

Enabling and Adjusting Passcode Settings

In Settings > Passcode, you can adjust passcode settings, including turning the passcode on or off or changing it.

You can enable your Apple Watch passcode by going to Settings > Passcode > Turn Passcode On. You will then be asked to set a passcode. You can also turn it off if it’s already on.

You can go to Settings > Passcode > Change Passcode to change the passcode on your Apple Watch.

Troubleshooting Other Related Issues

How to Fix Apple Watch Passcode Greyed Out Issue 5 — Troubleshooting Other Related Issues

Let’s troubleshoot unlocking issues related to Apple Watch passcode troubleshooting.

First, let’s troubleshoot Apple Watch wrist detection issues. If wrist detection is not working, go to Passcode > Wrist Detection in the settings and make sure it is turned on. You also should ensure you have a good fit on your wrist. Note that tattoos on your wrist or a loose fit can interfere with Wrist Detection.

If your Apple Watch is not unlocking when in proximity to your iPhone, make sure this setting is enabled. Go to the My Watch tab in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and navigate to Passcode > Unlock With iPhone and turn it on.

You need to be within 33 feet or so of your iPhone for this to work, since it requires an active Bluetooth connection.

Using Apple Watch Without a Passcode

Earlier, I mentioned that you can disable your Apple Watch passcode in the passcode settings by turning it off. If you use an Apple Watch without a passcode, though, it’s important to be aware of the Apple Watch security risks involved in that. Certain personal information may be available to other people if your watch gets lost or stolen.

When to Contact Apple Support

If you have persistent Apple Watch restrictions related to your passcode, it might be time to contact Apple Support for your passcode issues. There are several Apple Watch support options. The best option in this case is to schedule a visit to an authorized repair site. See here for more details.

Conclusion

We hope we helped you achieve an Apple Watch passcode issue resolution that is satisfactory. Let’s provide a quick summary of the troubleshooting steps.

First, make sure Screen Time is not turned on. If it is, enable Passcode Changes. If that doesn’t work, try resetting your Apple Watch. And if that doesn’t work, contact Apple support to restore secure Apple Watch functionality.