The PIN Code Hassle
During the initial setup of an Apple Watch, the operating system strongly encourages you to create a 4-digit passcode. Once set, if you take the watch off your wrist to charge it, the device locks itself. When you put it back on in the morning, you must tap in your PIN code before you can see your notifications or use Apple Pay. If you exclusively use the watch as a simple fitness tracker or a standard timepiece and do not have sensitive emails or credit cards attached to it, having to type a tiny PIN code every single morning is incredibly annoying. If security is not a concern, you can completely remove the lock.
How to Turn Off the Passcode
You can strip the security requirement via the watch settings.
- Open the Settings app directly on your Apple Watch (the grey gear icon).
- Scroll down the main list and tap on Passcode.
- At the very top of the screen, tap the large button labeled Turn Passcode Off.
- A warning prompt will appear. Tap Turn Off.
- You will be required to enter your current 4-digit PIN code one final time to confirm the deletion.
Immediate Access
The change is absolute. The Apple Watch will instantly delete your PIN code from its memory. You can now take the watch off, set it on a table, and put it back on hours later. The screen will immediately wake up and grant you full access to the interface without ever asking for a password again. Note: Disabling the passcode will automatically remove any credit cards you have stored in Apple Pay on the watch for security reasons.