Cannot add cards to Apple pay on watch although they are available on iphone

[Themzie]

I have gone through several threads and hit a roadblock, hence l decided to start a new thread. I have tried most recommendations as follows:

1. Ensuring the right region on both the watch and phone.
2. Logging into and out of Apple ID
3. Unpairing and repairing the watch
4. Deleting the Apple Pay app on the watch and reinstalling it.
5. Formatting the phone.
6. Changing cards

My watch series is 4 and an iPhone 12 ProMax both running the latest software versions. I used to use Apple Pay without issues on the SE 1 version but for some reason on the series 4, it's not working. On the other hand, I can successfully use Apple Pay on my phone. When l attempt to add the existing cards to the watch l get the error:

The card is available on the phone as shown below:


Does anyone with any hints on how l can fix this issue?

 

[jz0309]

I have gone through several threads and hit a roadblock, hence l decided to start a new thread. I have tried most recommendations as follows:

1. Ensuring the right region on both the watch and phone.
2. Logging into and out of Apple ID
3. Unpairing and repairing the watch
4. Deleting the Apple Pay app on the watch and reinstalling it.
5. Formatting the phone.
6. Changing cards

My watch series is 4 and an iPhone 12 ProMax both running the latest software versions. I used to use Apple Pay without issues on the SE 1 version but for some reason on the series 4, it's not working. On the other hand, I can successfully use Apple Pay on my phone. When l attempt to add the existing cards to the watch l get the error:
View attachment 2383642
The card is available on the phone as shown below:
View attachment 2383641

Does anyone with any hints on how l can fix this issue?

You have a passcode on AW, right?
When you re-paired, did you restore from backup or set up as new? You should always set up as new
Can you actually use that card that is in the phone for payments? When you double-click the side button, does it say “hold close to reader”?

 

[cubodado]

Try a force restart, of both iPhone and Apple Watch. I don’t see it on the various things you did. If I remember when I had some issues in adding the card it solved.

 

[TheIntruder]

Does the issue affect one card in particular, or all cards? Does it fail immediately, or only after entering the CVV for verification?

If the latter, you should contact the problematic card's issuer, and have them check for, and remove any blocks on the account.

Ultimately, the process can't be completed unless they grant authorization on their end, and that can be affected by various circumstances.

I've found these issues can go undetected until some action needs to be taken, like having to set up AP again after a reset/restore, or moving to a new or different device.

And if it's a Citi card, they'll snail mail you a paper notificiation for each and every instance of an AP addition, regardless of whether you want one or not.

 

[Themzie]

You have a passcode on AW, right?
When you re-paired, did you restore from backup or set up as new? You should always set up as new
Can you actually use that card that is in the phone for payments? When you double-click the side button, does it say “hold close to reader”?

Hi @jz0309 I have passcode and wrist detection enabled. When l did the pairing l tried both alternatives from backup and as new. On the phone, l can use the cards and make payments successfully. When l double-click the side button it says "No cards or passes".

 

[Themzie]

Does the issue affect one card in particular, or all cards? Does it fail immediately, or only after entering the CVV for verification?

If the latter, you should contact the problematic card's issuer, and have them check for, and remove any blocks on the account.

Ultimately, the process can't be completed unless they grant authorization on their end, and that can be affected by various circumstances.

I've found these issues can go undetected until some action needs to be taken, like having to set up AP again after a reset/restore, or moving to a new or different device.

And if it's a Citi card, they'll snail mail you a paper notificiation for each and every instance of an AP addition, regardless of whether you want one or not.

Hi @TheIntruder so the issue affects all cards in general to eliminate the cards issue this was a new card altogether. The card is successfully added to the phone, on the watch app when you then attempt to add the same card it fails. I contacted the bank and they said there is no restriction as l could add to the phone. I will reach out to them again and also to apple and see if l get new insights.

 

[Themzie]

Try a force restart, of both iPhone and Apple Watch. I don’t see it on the various things you did. If I remember when I had some issues in adding the card it solved.

So l did that option, the important highlight when l did that is the card-adding process (spinner) takes longer then fails with that generic message.

 

[cubodado]

So l did that option, the important highlight when l did that is the card-adding process (spinner) takes longer then fails with that generic message.

I think in this case you should contact your card provider. Actually the error reported is not one of those that asks you to contact it at first, according to this article:

If you can't add a card to Apple Wallet to use with Apple Pay – Apple Support (MY)

Find out what steps to take if you can't add a card to the Wallet app to use with Apple Pay

support.apple.com

So if contacting your card provider is costly in terms of money/time maybe you can start with Apple first.

I have a suspicion (mostly curiosity): I saw that you disabled notifications, isn’t it possible that your card provider request you to leave notifications on for security purposes?

 

[Hinza]

Can you try to add the card through your bank app? Normally banks have a way to add a card through the mobile app.

 

[jz0309]

So l did that option, the important highlight when l did that is the card-adding process (spinner) takes longer then fails with that generic message.

Where are you located?
As mentioned above, I’d suggest you set notifications to mirror iPhone.

And then, I’d remove a card from iPhone, reboot iPhone, re-add that card and see what happens…

And if it still doesn’t work, I’d contact Apple