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macrumors 6502a
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Feb 28, 2008
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Tried to wear ultra over my fleece while kayaking today and because it wasnt directly on my wrist it was repeatedly asking for my passcode to unlock it. This is a bit of a dealbreaker because if I simply remove the code Apple Pay won’t work! Should I have just tried swipe right to lock it when the workout started? I know that locks the screen and keeps you from accidentally activating the screen or turning it off during a workout but would it solve the passcode problem?
 
I was recently wondering about that, regarding the ocean band being designed to wear over a wetsuit. I was thinking maybe there’s a difference when using the dive app but I’m not a diver so I haven’t looked it up.

I saw a YouTube video of someone with tattoos who had to return the Apple Watch because it kept locking up during his workouts.
 
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The watch has to know it's on your body to stay unlocked. It's a security feature for many reasons including a very important one you mentioned - Apple Pay. The only way it knows it's on is through the sensors on the back. This isn't something anyone should be surprised about.

Can't speak to locking in during workouts as that's not something I care about. Read if it's a feature - I'd be surprised if it was.
 
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Mmmmm. If there’s no workaround it will be a bummer for skiing as it would be great to west this over my jacket.
 
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As above if it doesn't have skin contract or it loses it then its passcode time, plain and simple. Its a security feature so Apple Pay doesn't work when its taken or stolen.
 
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Lot of scenarios for wearing the watch over your clothes rather than on your bare skin - all of them are related to being in extreme conditions where you want access to the watch but don't want to expose your skin to the elements and/or want to fuss around to get access to it under a sleeve. There will certainly need to be a way to override this for it to be a credible dive companion - unless dive mode disables these sensors when the screen is locked being under water.
 
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It seems like the back of the watch needs to maintenance contact with the sleeve to stay unlocked. Maybe you're wearing it a bit to loose?
 
Lot of scenarios for wearing the watch over your clothes rather than on your bare skin - all of them are related to being in extreme conditions where you want access to the watch but don't want to expose your skin to the elements and/or want to fuss around to get access to it under a sleeve. There will certainly need to be a way to override this for it to be a credible dive companion - unless dive mode disables these sensors when the screen is locked being under water.


Apple clearly have not thought this through. Use the pressure sensor to allow the dive app to work without the passcode issue, but then what happens if mid-dive you want to stop to pick up a coffee and use Apple Pay?
 
Settings/Passcode/Wrist Detection/Off

Would be nice if they had an option to turn it off temporarily or during workouts.
 
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I’m a kayaker as well. I just wear the watch on my wrist and my shirt snugged up against it. I wear all my watches like this, not just my Apple Watch. I hate having a watch over my sleeve or my jacket because I like to hike up my sleeve now and then to rinse my hands. 62703D72-6171-4D06-ABFB-425487AB4C06.jpeg
 
JW cool app for kayaking! What is it? I have to have it! ;)Andyouare right about being able to adjust one’s sleeve — that’s important!

Pup if you turn off wrist detection does that disable a lot of other things?
 
You can turn the passcode on and off from the Settings app. Yeah, you'll have to turn it back on before you make an Apple Pay purchase, but I suspect disable/enable wouldn't be more than a once a day event?

It would suck if you need to prepay for a rescue though...
 
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JW cool app for kayaking! What is it? I have to have it! ;)Andyouare right about being able to adjust one’s sleeve — that’s important!

Pup if you turn off wrist detection does that disable a lot of other things?
WorkOutDoors. Great for all kinds of workouts.
 
You can turn the passcode on and off from the Settings app. Yeah, you'll have to turn it back on before you make an Apple Pay purchase, but I suspect disable/enable wouldn't be more than a once a day event?

It would suck if you need to prepay for a rescue though...
But the problem is you need to do more than turn it back on for Apple Pay — once you turn off the passcode the cards are deleted from the watch and you need to load them back on when you want to use it! Wrist detection affects a lot of other things as well. Looks like I will be wearing this on my wrist and not over anything! Unless locking during a workout helps — I will try that next.
 
But the problem is you need to do more than turn it back on for Apple Pay — once you turn off the passcode the cards are deleted from the watch and you need to load them back on when you want to use it! Wrist detection affects a lot of other things as well. Looks like I will be wearing this on my wrist and not over anything! Unless locking during a workout helps — I will try that next.

That is very true. But - I would think one would prefer to have the biometrics while kayaking. I know I do. Gotta get that workout time in!

Edited to say: It is interesting how Apple touted the Ultra Ocean bands could fit over a wetsuit. Think many would have to get the extra long band, but still - the issue you are experiencing is the same. Kinda wonder if when the Oceana+ dive computer app comes out, will it keep the watch "enabled" without passcode? Keep Apple Pay secure, but allow other functionality?
 
But the problem is you need to do more than turn it back on for Apple Pay — once you turn off the passcode the cards are deleted from the watch and you need to load them back on when you want to use it!
Yeah, that's a problem... It seems they could have a "suspend passcode" mode that keeps the data stored but blocks access until passcode is reenabled. They could put a timer on it as well, similar to how "do not disturb" is handled, if you want to ensure it gets automatically reenabled...
 
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But the problem is you need to do more than turn it back on for Apple Pay — once you turn off the passcode the cards are deleted from the watch and you need to load them back on when you want to use it! Wrist detection affects a lot of other things as well. Looks like I will be wearing this on my wrist and not over anything! Unless locking during a workout helps — I will try that next.
Hmm, that is a problem. Maybe Apple should make things easier by having credit cards transfer easily from your phone to the watch. Oh that's right, they already did that....

Seriously, just put your CVV numbers in an encrypted note on your phone. That's the only information you need for any cards that have been added to Apple Pay on your phone.
 
I have to wear it at the bottom of my arm where there is no tattoo. When it slips down it asks for the passcode (or I turn wrist detection off).
87a97e0d2292dcc0e274e019f0dee865.jpg
 
On the good side, the Apple Watch Ultra is really attracting quite a lot of people who have never worn Apple Watch before. These questions appeared a lot in 2015.
 
Hmm, that is a problem. Maybe Apple should make things easier by having credit cards transfer easily from your phone to the watch. Oh that's right, they already did that....

Seriously, just put your CVV numbers in an encrypted note on your phone. That's the only information you need for any cards that have been added to Apple Pay on your phone.
Yeah, that's starting to really become a hassle though and take some of the joy out of a day on the water. You should be able to disable the passcode and lock away the passcode protected data, then enter the passcode to reenable it and reinstate that data. Maybe this was less of an issue for the "fashion" watches, but if they're going all in on dual use sports watches then it seems a reasonable request.

I've got at least one card I need to call the issuer for every time I add it to a wallet-- I don't know why, they don't ask me anything really, but they make me do it every single time. Add it to my phone, call. Add it to my iPad, call. Add it to my watch, call. That's not an Apple problem per se, but it does impact the user experience of the watch.
 
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Seems having the ability to keep the watch unlocked but disabling private information until the passcode is entered again is a popular feature request. I just gave Apple feedback about this. If you agree, here's the link to provide it yourself. The more they get, the higher the probability it will become a reality.

 
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On the good side, the Apple Watch Ultra is really attracting quite a lot of people who have never worn Apple Watch before. These questions appeared a lot in 2015.

It attracted me. Tried first Apple Watch many years ago and didn’t like it. Should be getting my Apple Watch ultra next week. Looking forward to it actually.
 
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Talking about the passcode, due to the excellent battery life I'm now wearing the Ultra for sleep tracking, when I woke up this morning expecting my sleep report for last night, it was absent - all because I didn't unlock the watch before wearing it to sleep. This is really stupid and the watch should at least let me know that it's locked.
 
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