Fix: Apple Watch “Too Many Passcode Attempts” Issue

When an Apple Watch shows the message “Too Many Passcode Attempts,” it usually happens right after the passcode screen appears over and over again. Many users have noticed that the watch can even lock itself while it’s charging, or when no one is touching it. This message means that the watch has registered too many wrong passcode entries and now you can’t enter the passcode again until you reset the watch.

The most common reason for this is accidental touches, like the screen being tapped by mistake while charging or when the watch is in your pocket. Sometimes, entering the wrong passcode on purpose can also cause this.

Troubleshooting Prerequisites

• As we begin troubleshooting, remember some steps may vary depending on your Apple Watch generation.
• Clean your watch’s screen to prevent further ghost or missed touches during the process.
• Before resetting your watch, make sure you have a backup of its data, either on your iPhone or in iCloud.
• If you reset your watch, you’ll have the option to restore from a backup or set it up as new when pairing with your iPhone again.

1. Enable ‘Unlock Apple Watch’ When You Unlock Your iPhone

The easiest method is to enable this feature on your iPhone so your Apple Watch unlocks automatically when you unlock your iPhone.

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and go to My Watch > Passcode.
2. Enable ‘Unlock with iPhone’, then lock and unlock your iPhone. Check if your Apple Watch unlocks together with your phone.

   

3. If this doesn’t work, make sure you’re wearing your watch on your wrist, then lock and unlock your iPhone again. See if this unlocks the watch.

2. Reset or Disable the Passcode Using Your iPhone

You can try to reset the passcode using your iPhone’s Apple Watch settings, or even disable the passcode.

1. Open the Watch app and go to My Watch > Passcode > Change Passcode.

   

2. Enter and confirm your new passcode.
3. Try unlocking your watch with this new passcode.
4. If the issue remains, disable the passcode in the app and see if that lets you unlock the watch.

   

3. Reset the Apple Watch Using Your iPhone

If none of the previous methods worked, you may need to completely reset your Apple Watch and erase all its data. Before you do, ensure you have your important data backed up to iCloud or your iPhone.

1. Keep your Apple Watch close to your iPhone and in the Watch app, go to My Watch > General > Reset.
2. Select Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings.

   

3. Confirm you want to reset and wait for the process to finish.
4. Set up your Apple Watch again and check if the issue is resolved.

4. Hard Reset the Apple Watch

If your paired iPhone isn’t available, you can perform a hard reset using the watch’s buttons.

4.1. Use the Digital Crown Button

1. Place your Apple Watch on the charger.
2. While it’s charging, press and hold the side button.
3. Wait until a power button appears on the watch’s screen, then release the side button.
4. Press and hold the Digital Crown.

   

5. Release when you see Erase All Content and Settings, then tap to open it.
6. Tap Reset and confirm.

   

7. Wait for the process to complete. Once done, set up your watch and make sure it’s working as expected.

4.2. Use the Power Button

1. Put your Apple Watch on the charger and, while charging, press and hold the side button.
2. When the Power Off slider appears, release the button.
3. Firmly press (do not slide) the Power Off slider for less than 5 seconds—a bit harder than a normal tap—then release.

   

4. If the Erase All Content and Settings screen appears, open it and reset your watch.
5. After reset, set up the watch and check if the lock is removed.

4.3. Hard Reset After a Force Restart

1. Press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown.

   

2. Wait about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears, then release both buttons.
3. Count to four, then press and hold just the side button until the Erase All Content and Settings screen appears (may take about 20 seconds).

   

4. Tap Reset and confirm to begin the reset.
5. Set up your watch as new or restore from a backup after reset.
6. If this doesn’t work, try this: while the watch is on the charger, press and hold both the following at the same time:

   Side  
   Digital Crown

7. Release both buttons when the screen turns black, then press and hold the side button when the Apple logo appears.
8. Wait until the Erase All Content and Settings screen appears, then release the button.
9. Open the menu and reset the watch.
10. Complete the setup and check if this resolves the problem.

4.4. Force Touch the Too Many Passcode Attempts Message

1. Press and hold the Digital Crown and the side button.
2. When the Apple logo appears and the Too Many Passcode Attempts message is shown, force press on the error message.

   

3. Wait for the Erase All Content and Settings screen to appear.
4. Release your touch and select it.
5. Reset the watch and wait for the process to finish.
6. When finished, set up your watch and the issue should be resolved.

4.5. Discharge the Apple Watch

1. Allow your Apple Watch battery to completely drain (this may take several hours or overnight). Once it asks you to connect it to the charger, let it power off.

   

2. Connect it to the charger and as soon as it powers on, force-press the screen.
3. When the Erase All Content and Settings screen appears, open it.
4. Reset the watch and complete the setup after the reset is finished.

5. Use the iCloud Website

If nothing else works, you can reset your watch from the iCloud website (if it’s still online and connected to the internet).

1. Use a web browser to go to iCloud’s website.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID, then select Find iPhone.
3. Click All Devices and select your locked Apple Watch.
4. Click Erase Apple Watch and follow the prompts.

   

5. When it’s erased, set it up again and the problem should be resolved.

6. Reset Using iTunes

Though the Apple Watch does not have an obvious port, there’s a hidden connector used for diagnostics. With an iBus adapter, you can connect the watch to iTunes or the Finder on a Mac.

1. Get an iBus adapter and connect your watch to your Mac or PC.

   

2. Launch iTunes or Finder and make sure the app is up to date.
3. Select your Apple Watch in iTunes and click Restore.
4. Confirm to restore and, once the process is done, safely eject the watch.
5. Disconnect the watch. This should fix the issue.