How to use Apple Pay on Watch without passcode

Those who have tried Apple Pay can attest that paying with your iPhone couldn’t be simpler. You just hold your device near the contactless reader with your finger on Touch ID or your face authenticated with Face ID to pay for the goods or services you bought.

But wouldn’t it be great if you could choose any payment cards, passes, and loyalty cards from your Apple Pay account on the Lock screen, without having to unlock your iPhone?

You can now make your purchases by double-pressing the Side button or Home button to access Wallet without unlocking your iPhone, a feature partially borrowed from the Apple Watch. You then simply choose a card and authenticate your purchase via Touch ID or Face ID.

Here’s how you can enable Wallet access right from the iPhone’s Lock screen with just a few taps.

How to use Apple Pay on Watch without passcode

How to access Wallet from iPhone’s Lock screen

1) Launch Settings on your iPhone.

2) Tap Wallet & Apple Pay.

3) Toggle the Double-Click Side Button switch to enable or disable this feature (it’s on by default). If your iPhone has a Home button, your option will say Double-Click Home Button, as seen on the screenshot below.

How to use Apple Pay on Watch without passcode
“Get cards and passes ready at any time by double-clicking the side button,” reads the feature’s description.”

4) You will also need to enable Wallet access from the Lock screen. For that, go to Settings > Touch/Face ID & Passcode, punch in your device passcode, and flip the Wallet switch in the Allow Access When Locked subsection to the ON position.

How to use Apple Pay on Watch without passcode

That’s it. You can now access Apple Pay without unlocking your iPhone and access your non-default credit, debit, and loyalty cards in Wallet at checkout.

If you disable Wallet access on the Lock screen, you can still make purchases with Apple Pay, but you won’t be able to choose your default card at checkout unless you change it within the Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay section.

More info about the Wallet app

In addition to storing boarding passes, tickets, rewards cards, and other items, Wallet also stores your credit cards, debit cards, and store credit cards and keeps track of the most recent Apple Pay purchase for your convenience.

If you’re adding the credit or debit card to Wallet that’s already tied to your iTunes account, you will only need to enter the card security code.

1 You can add your CommBank Debit Mastercard, CommBank World Debit Mastercard™, personal and business credit cards, and Visa Business Debit card. If you are an additional cardholder, you may add your eligible Commonwealth Bank credit card to Apple Pay provided it is Mastercard branded. Visa credit cards issued to additional cardholders may be eligible for Apple Pay, however, a transaction limit of $100 will apply.

Some CommBank cards are ineligible including Keycard, Travel Money Card, Mastercard Business Debit Card, Corporate Card.

2 Check compatible devices on apple.com

Read Apple Pay terms and conditions.

Apple, the Apple logo, Apple Pay, Apple Watch, Face ID, iPad, iPhone, Safari, and Touch ID are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

The target market for this product will be found within the product’s Target Market Determination, available here.

Mastercard is a registered trademark and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

As this information has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances.

Please view our Financial Services Guide (PDF). Full terms and conditions for the transaction and savings accounts (PDF)  mentioned and Electronic Banking (PDF) are available here or from any branch of the Commonwealth Bank.

Credit Card applications are subject to credit approval. Full conditions will be included in our Letter of Offer. Fees and charges apply.

Knowing how to use Apple Pay on Apple Watch allows you to freely walk around and make payments even if your iPhone is out of range or uncharged. As of right now, Apple Pay is one of the most commonly used contactless mobile payment methods. 

In fact, in just the past several years, the number of Apple Pay users worldwide has drastically increased by 656% (opens in new tab), with a total of 507 million people using the feature in 2020 alone - and it's no wonder why. With Apple Pay, users can tap their Apple device to the card machine and make payments when needed. Apple also just introduced Apple Pay Later with iOS 16, which will allow users to pay for purchases in four payments over six weeks.

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While most users are more familiar with the feature through the Wallet app on iOS, some are unaware that you can also use Apple Pay on watchOS, even if your iPhone ran out of juice or if it isn't in close proximity. So whether you've been using your Apple wearable for a while or if you're new to watchOS and wondering how to use Apple Pay on Apple Watch - no need to worry, we're here to help.

Below, we've included a step-by-step guide on the whole process, from setting up Apple Pay in the first place to using the feature on your Apple Watch. Just a disclaimer that at the time of writing, we used an Apple Watch Series 4 and an iPhone 11 running on the latest iOS and watchOS software updates. 

And before we jump into the process, make sure that you've completed the steps on how to set up Apple Pay with your iPhone. Ready? Alright, let's get started. 

How to use Apple Pay on Apple Watch: Setting up Apple Pay

1. First, launch the Watch app using your iPhone. 

(Image credit: Apple)

2. Next, tap the "My Watch" tab, which should appear in the bottom left corner of the screen.

(Image credit: Apple)

3. Scroll down and tap the "Wallet & Apple Pay" option.

(Image credit: Apple)

4. If you already have cards set up on your other Apple devices or cards that you have recently removed, you should be able to see those listed as shown in the screenshot below. Now, tap the "Add" button located next to the card that you want to use on your Apple Watch. 

At this stage, you can also decide whether you'd like your Apple Pay notifications and alerts to mirror your iPhone on your Apple Watch.

Reminder: if you don't have Apple Pay set up on any of your devices, follow our guide to how to use Apple Pay. 

(Image credit: Apple)

5. If you don't have a passcode set up on your Apple Watch, the Watch app will ask you to create one as this is one of the requirements for using Apple Pay. 

You can either set up a 4-digit passcode or turn off the "Simple Passcode" option in the settings. Go to the My Watch tab, then Passcode and toggle off "Simple Passcode." This should allow you to set up a passcode consisting of up to 10 digits. 

(Image credit: Apple)

6. Next, enter your card's CVV, which is a three-digit number that should appear on the back of your card.

(Image credit: Apple)

7. Carefully read through the terms and conditions and tap "Agree" when you're ready to proceed. 

(Image credit: Apple)

8. Last but not least, the app will ask you to choose how to verify your card on Apple Pay. Once you've selected the preferred method, tap "Next." 

You should then enter the verification code that's been sent to you through your chosen method. 

(Image credit: Apple)

9. Congratulations! You've now set up Apple Pay on your Apple Watch.

(Image credit: Apple)

How to use Apple Pay on Apple Watch: Making payments

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Now that you've set up Apple Pay on your Apple Watch, let's talk specifics on how you can use it. Whenever you're ready to make a payment, first double press on the side button and select your preferred card (if you have more than one) to pay with. Hold your wearable next to a card reader to make a payment. 

If you want to change your default card for payments, launch the Watch app on your iPhone and tap the "My Watch" tab. Select "Wallet & Apple Pay," choose "Default card" and select the card. 

You can also reorganize your payment cards by opening your Wallet app through your Apple Watch. Touch and hold a card and drag it and rearrange its position. 

However, Apple warns that if your Apple Watch is lost or stolen and has Apple Pay set up on it, you should make sure to complete the following steps:

Can you use Apple Pay on Apple Watch without password?

Do you need a password on you apple watch if you use apple pay. Yes - both Wrist Detection and a passcode are required in order to add a card to Apple Pay on Apple Watch. If either feature is later turned off, your card(s) will be removed automatically from Apple Pay on the device.

Can I use Apple Pay without a passcode?

In addition, to use Apple Pay, you must have a passcode set on your device and, optionally, Face ID or Touch ID. You can use a simple passcode, or you can set a more complex passcode for even greater security. Apple Pay is also designed to protect your personal information.

Can I use my Apple Watch without a passcode?

Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch. Tap Passcode, then tap Turn Passcode Off.