How to Unlock Your Apple Watch If You Forgot the Passcode

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Bypass or reset your passcode so you can use your Apple Watch

Co-authored by Megaera Lorenz, PhD Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: August 14, 2024 Fact Checked

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Unlocking Your Watch with a Paired iPhone

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Hacks to Unlock Apple Watch

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Resetting Your Apple Watch

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Changing Your Passcode Settings

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Have you forgotten the passcode to your Apple Watch? If so, don’t worry—depending on your settings, unlocking it might be as easy as putting on your Watch and then unlocking your iPhone. You might also be able to use hacks that exploit security flaws if you have an older version of watchOS. If those options don’t work, you’ll need to erase your Watch and reset it. And since the Watch app automatically backs up your Watch, it’s easy to restore your data, apps, and settings.

Unlocking an Apple Watch without a Passcode

Put your Apple Watch on your wrist.
Unlock your iPhone to unlock your Watch.
If your Apple Watch doesn't unlock: reset your Watch, set a new passcode, and restore your Watch from a backup.

Section 1 of 4:

Unlocking Your Watch with a Paired iPhone

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1
Put your Apple Watch on your wrist. This method only works if you have your Apple Watch set to unlock when you unlock your iPhone. To get started, put on your Watch.^{[1]
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- Bluetooth will need to be enabled on your Watch for this to work.
- Unfortunately, if this feature isn’t already activated on your iPhone, you’ll need to know your Watch’s passcode in order to turn it on.
With your Watch on your wrist, pick up your iPhone and unlock it using your passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID. You’ll see a notification at the top of your iPhone’s screen letting you know that your watch has been unlocked.

Section 2 of 4:

Are there hacks to unlock an Apple Watch?

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It’s possible that these hacks used to work with older versions of watchOS, but those security loopholes have since been fixed. However, if you have a Watch that hasn’t been updated in a while, some of these might work for you.
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Enter power reserve mode and restart your Watch. This will only work with older versions of watchOS where you can access the Control Center on a locked Apple Watch by swiping up from the passcode screen.
- While your Watch is locked, swipe up to open the Control Center. Turn on Airplane Mode so your Watch doesn’t connect to the internet or your cell network.
- Tap the battery percentage button and turn on Power Reserve.
- After about 10 seconds, press and hold the side button to power your watch off, then turn it back on again. You may not be prompted for a passcode now.
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Try the Airplane Mode hack. Again, this will only work if you have an old enough version of watchOS to open the Control Center without unlocking your watch.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the lock screen to open the Control Center.
- Tap the Airplane Mode icon and wait about 10 seconds.
- Press and hold the side button until you see the power off slider.
- Toggle off Airplane Mode while still holding the side button, then release the button. Your Apple Watch may now be unlocked.
In some old versions of watchOS, it may be possible to activate Siri while your Apple Watch is locked. Try saying “Hey Siri” to activate Siri, then try a command like “Open the Messages app” or “Start workout.” This may allow you to bypass your passcode, at least to access certain functions or apps.
Some of these apps rely on methods that could put your security at risk or void your AppleCare plan. Always thoroughly research any apps that make these claims so you understand the risks and possible benefits.

Section 3 of 4:

Resetting Your Apple Watch

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Reset your Watch if you can’t unlock it from your phone. If you don’t have your Apple Watch set to unlock automatically when you unlock your phone, or if you don’t have a paired iPhone available, you’ll have to reset your watch and set it up again.
- The good news is that you can easily restore your watch’s data if you’re able to re-pair it with your iPhone.^{[2]
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Use the
Settings app on your Watch to reset. You can reset your Apple Watch directly from the Watch itself, but you’ll need to pair it with an iPhone to set it up again. To get started, put your Watch on its charger. From there:^{[3]
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- Press and hold the side button (the narrow, flat button under the Digital Crown). After a few seconds, you’ll see a Power button in the top right corner of the Watch face.
- Press and hold the Digital Crown (the round dial on the side of your watch) until you see the option to Erase all content and settings.
- Tap Reset, then tap it again to confirm your choice.
- You don’t need to know your Watch passcode, an iPhone passcode, or your Apple ID password for this method. However, if you don’t know any of those things, you likely won’t be able to restore your watch from a backup—you’ll have to set it up from scratch.
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Reset from your iPhone with the Watch app as an alternative. You can also reset your Watch from a paired iPhone. To get started, open the Watch app on your phone. Keep your iPhone and your Watch close together during this process. Next:
- Tap the My Watch tab at the bottom of the app screen.
- Tap General, then scroll all the way down and tap Reset.
- Select Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings, then tap it again at the bottom of the screen.
- Enter your Apple ID and password if prompted.
  - If you don’t remember your Apple ID password, you might be able to reset it.
- If your Watch has GPS + Cellular, you’ll be asked if you want to keep or remove your cellular plan. If you’re planning to re-pair your Watch with the same phone, keep your plan.
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Pair your Watch with your iPhone. Once your Watch finishes resetting, you can set it up again. Here’s how to do it:^{[4]
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- Make sure your iPhone’s iOS is up to date. Your iPhone will also need to be connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network, and you’ll need to have Bluetooth enabled.
- Put on your Watch. If it’s not already on, press the side button to turn it on.
- Move your Watch close to your iPhone. A window will appear prompting you to set up your Watch. Tap Continue.
  - If you don’t see this popup window, open the Watch app, tap All Watches, and select Add Watch.
- Tap Set Up for Myself. Or, if you’re setting up the Watch for someone else in your family, tap Set Up for a Family Member and follow these instructions.
- Hold your iPhone over the animation that appears on your Watch screen until it’s aligned with your camera’s viewfinder. Wait for a message saying you’ve successfully paired the Watch.
  - If this doesn’t work, you can tap Pair Apple Watch Manually and follow the on-screen instructions.
- When prompted, restore your Watch from the most recent backup.
  - Even if you don’t have your original iPhone, you may still be able to restore it from iCloud after signing in on your new phone.
- Enter your Apple ID password when prompted.
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Create a new passcode for your Watch. While your Apple Watch backup contains most of your data and settings, it doesn’t save your passcode. Once you’ve either restored your Apple Watch from a backup or set it up as new, you’ll be given the chance to set a new passcode. Make sure to create one you can easily remember, or write it down in a safe place so you don’t forget! Select one of these three options in the Watch app on your phone and follow the instructions on the screen:
- Create a Passcode. Use this option to set a short (4-digit) passcode.
- Add a Long Passcode. This option lets you create a longer passcode (more than 4 digits).
- Don’t Add Passcode. If you don’t want to use a passcode, choose this option. Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to use certain features of your Watch, like Apple Pay.
  - You can always set up a passcode later in the Watch app.

Section 4 of 4:

Changing Your Passcode Settings

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If you want to make it easier to unlock your Apple Watch in the future, you can adjust your passcode settings from the Watch app. Launch the app on your iPhone to get started.
It’s at the bottom of the app screen.
It’s in the second group of menu options below your watch faces.
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Use the menu options to change your passcode settings. You’ll need to know your Watch’s current passcode to change most of these settings. From this menu, you can:
- Turn off or change your current passcode.
- Tun on or set your passcode if you haven’t already done so.
- Turn the Simple Passcode setting on or off, depending on whether you want a shorter or longer passcode.
- Turn the Unlock with iPhone setting on or off. This setting is helpful if you want to be able to unlock your Watch with a paired iPhone without using your passcode.
- Turn the Erase Data setting on or off. This security feature erases all the data on your Watch after 10 failed attempts to unlock it with the passcode.
- Turn Wrist Detection on or off. This setting automatically locks your Watch when it’s not on your wrist.