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janet133
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Apple Watch pairing asks for iPod touch passcode

I'm trying to pair my apple watch with my iPhone, but it wants my iPod touch passcode to complete the process. My apple watch is a series 9 and I just bought the iPhone 16e. My watch was paired with my iPhone 12, and I was going to pair it with the iPhone 16e, but it asks for my iPod touch passcode. Now I can't re-pair it with my iPhone 12 because it asks the same thing. I haven't used my iPod touch in ten years and don't remember the passcode to unlock it. Can anyone help me resolve this issue? I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

Posted on Nov 2, 2026 5:34 PM

2 replies

Shubham-
User level: Level 1 (57 points)

Nov 2, 2026 11:24 PM in response to janet133

Hi,


You can try resetting your Apple Watch if you’re unable to connect it.


Reset Apple Watch without using a passcode


If you can’t unpair or erase your Apple Watch because you’ve forgotten its passcode, you can reset the watch.


When you reset Apple Watch instead of unpairing it, the watch will still be protected by Activation Lock. Before you can pair Apple Watch again, you’ll need to enter the Apple Account and password that were used to set it up.


  1. Put Apple Watch on its charger.
  2. Press and hold the side button until you see the screen with the power button in the top right-hand corner, then let go of the side button. If your Apple Watch has an earlier version of watchOS, you’ll see the Power Off slider instead of the power button.
  3. Press and hold the Digital Crown until you see the red Reset button.
  4. Tap Reset, then tap Reset again to confirm.
  5. After Apple Watch has been unpaired completely, you can pair again. Remember that you’ll need the Apple Account and password that were used to set up the watch.


tillu_code
User level: Level 4 (2,112 points)

Nov 4, 2026 8:56 PM in response to janet133

That prompt is likely the old device's passcode being asked during pairing. Try erasing the watch directly: Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, enter the watch passcode, then set it up as new with the iPhone 16e. If it's locked to an Apple Account, remove it from the Devices list at account.apple.com or in Find My.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256387869