Set passcode restrictions for an Apple Watch

Learn how the passcode restrictions for your iPhone apply to the Apple Watch it's paired with.

This article is intended for administrators who use configuration profiles, Mobile Device Management, or an Exchange policy to manage passcode restrictions.

Passcode restrictions

The restrictions you set also affect an Apple Watch when it's paired to a managed iPhone.

Numeric passcodes

Apple Watch supports numeric passcodes. If your restrictions allow numeric passcodes, Apple Watch respects restrictions that you set.

For example, you might require an iPhone passcode of at least six digits with no repeating digits. In this case, your users must create an Apple Watch passcode that also meets those requirements. Advise your users to set a different passcode than the one they use on their iPhone.

Alphanumeric or complex passcodes

If you require an iPhone passcode that uses letters or special characters, you can't set an Apple Watch passcode. Instead, your users must unlock their iPhone to unlock their Apple Watch. Open the Apple Watch app on the paired iPhone, tap the My Watch tab, then tap Passcode > Unlock with iPhone.

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