Status shows that he issue is now resolved but I am still being asked to enter the kid's MBP password and then it fails. Am I to assume the MBP should be displaying an MFA code to enter on the watch, correct?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Trouble activating Apple Watch: Verification Failed
- Thread starter BeatCrazy
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I have not been able to pair my sons watch since Christmas. Now the issue is resolved, still have not paired it but the watch has a screen password and every password I would have created does not work. This is frustrating.
I’m getting so angry over here- I’ve been tweeting with support and they want the serial number but I can’t pair
Edit five: on my son’s iPad, I went to settings, reset, reset all settings. That disables passcode and takes you off WiFi etc. I signed back in to WiFi. Then I went to settings, Touch ID and passcode and turned on passcode. I was prompted to set a passcode. From there I went back to my sons watch and went through the setup. Everything worked from that point on.
Edit four: Software update didn’t help.
Edit three: Called Apple support, ran through setup and a new step appeared - Software update. Running the update now. Will report back if that fixes the problem.
Exceptionally disappointed. How is it that the issue is “resolved” with this many people still not able to set up their kids’ device?
Edit one: At this point smashing this thing with a hammer might be worth taking the loss. My kids were super excited and I had them ready to use a calendar and generally operate at a more organized level. Now they’re even less likely to use the watch. My middle kid has seen this take so long that he’s totally nonplussed by the watch. Seems sad to see it on his dresser unused, but that seems to be the future of this $329. Of three kids, I have one who is excited and using it, one who is now unimpressed and probably unlikely to wear it because he has no faith it will work, and the youngest, who actually asked for one for Christmas, totally let down.
Edit two: Tried logging out and back in again on kid’s iPad since that passcode seems to be what’s hanging things up. Now the iPad is giving me the same error message as the watch ”verification failed”. I was always told that when the radio isn’t working I should assume the problem is one my end. The problem with that is if everyone is troubleshooting at the same time, then no one’s radio is on the net. At what point should I assume this is all Apple’s fault and not operator error? Is this the Christmas where I finally tell my kid there is no Santa? I’d prefer him to figure it out on his own like his older siblings did, not find out from his dad who’s failing to fix something Santa brought.
Edit four: Software update didn’t help.
Edit three: Called Apple support, ran through setup and a new step appeared - Software update. Running the update now. Will report back if that fixes the problem.
Exceptionally disappointed. How is it that the issue is “resolved” with this many people still not able to set up their kids’ device?
Edit one: At this point smashing this thing with a hammer might be worth taking the loss. My kids were super excited and I had them ready to use a calendar and generally operate at a more organized level. Now they’re even less likely to use the watch. My middle kid has seen this take so long that he’s totally nonplussed by the watch. Seems sad to see it on his dresser unused, but that seems to be the future of this $329. Of three kids, I have one who is excited and using it, one who is now unimpressed and probably unlikely to wear it because he has no faith it will work, and the youngest, who actually asked for one for Christmas, totally let down.
Edit two: Tried logging out and back in again on kid’s iPad since that passcode seems to be what’s hanging things up. Now the iPad is giving me the same error message as the watch ”verification failed”. I was always told that when the radio isn’t working I should assume the problem is one my end. The problem with that is if everyone is troubleshooting at the same time, then no one’s radio is on the net. At what point should I assume this is all Apple’s fault and not operator error? Is this the Christmas where I finally tell my kid there is no Santa? I’d prefer him to figure it out on his own like his older siblings did, not find out from his dad who’s failing to fix something Santa brought.
Last edited:
I’m getting so angry over here- I’ve been tweeting with support and they want the serial number etc- I’ve reset 9 times
I got two watches to work. If you’re having issues, it could t hurt to reset network settings on your phone and then try again. It will work, eventually.
I have to admit the family watch software is pretty good. Even through they had this iCloud issue, which happens, it’s still great that apple has this feature for kids.
I have to admit the family watch software is pretty good. Even through they had this iCloud issue, which happens, it’s still great that apple has this feature for kids.
Still having issues. It just stops progressing through setup when it says on my phone that it’s signing into my son’s watch with his iCloud account. Sits there with the spinning indicator until I hit back and unpairs with the watch.
Finally got it to work after three more tries and restarting of Apple Watch and iPhone between attempts. Still some weirdness around asking for my son’s iPad passcode and it thinking it was wrong (it wasn’t). Anyway, seems sorted for now.
Restarted both my phone and the watch, restarted my phone's network settings, and still nothing. What's going on here?
Funny how Apple’s site says the problem is fixed, yet it’s 2 days after Xmas and I still can’t activate. I am beyond annoyed, and I have one kid who can use his Apple Watch just fine, and I have another one who can’t. (He’s being very calm and reasonable about it, especially for a 10 yr old.)
This is just silly at this point. And I refuse to call Apple. We have a new puppy in the house and I don’t have the time or luxury of waiting on hold for an hour just to be told to try activating again later.
This is just silly at this point. And I refuse to call Apple. We have a new puppy in the house and I don’t have the time or luxury of waiting on hold for an hour just to be told to try activating again later.
When is the last time you erased the watch and tried the process again? Have you reset network settings on your phone and then tired? That seems to work for those affected.
Tried one more time and this time the watch has just locked up on me. On restarting I am requested to enter the passcode but it is no longer recognised by the watch. Following the process suggested by apple to reset everything does not work for me either. A total mess. If the shop in Norwich is open tomorrow I shall return it. But we are locked down here and I fear the shop will be closed!
After trying yet again I finally got in touch with apple support via the chat facility at midnight GMT. With his help we unlocked the watch. At that point I was ready to go to bed but he encouraged me to try once more to set up the watch This time it all worked perfectly. Thanks be to God..and apple chat, Hallelujah!