Vaccine pass doesn't scan on Apple Watch

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › Vaccine pass doesn't scan on Apple Watch

mattwnz

20515 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4795

#291938 14-Dec-2021 17:08

Got around to installing the vaccine pass on my apple watch and found that it doesn't scan. The QR code is small and is high resolution, so I suspect the screen isn't high enough resolution. This is a series 3 so has the smaller screen. Anyone else having problems with it?

fearandloathing

537 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 206

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2832283 14-Dec-2021 17:15

Today I learnt I can use the vaccine pass on my Apple Watch 4, which scans just fine.

corksta

2405 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 382

Trusted

Subscriber

#2832285 14-Dec-2021 17:16

It works fine on my Series 7.

MrGadget

209 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 126

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2832286 14-Dec-2021 17:16

Can’t say with the Apple Watch 3 but I’ve displayed it on the Apple Watch 7 and scanned it without issue.
Do you have the scanning app on your phone or reliant on using it in the real world?

Any comment made here is my own and should not be taken as that of my employer.

josephhinvest

1550 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 322

ID Verified

Trusted

#2832288 14-Dec-2021 17:18

I didn't realise it would even be on my watch, I haven't had to use my pass yet.
But yes, on my Series 7, scanning with my iPhone with the pass verifier app, it does scan successfully.

Cheers,
Joseph

mattwnz

20515 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4795

#2832291 14-Dec-2021 17:22

MrGadget: Can’t say with the Apple Watch 3 but I’ve displayed it on the Apple Watch 7 and scanned it without issue.
Do you have the scanning app on your phone or reliant on using it in the real world?

Yes I am using a note 9 with the scanning app as well as an iphone to test it. But it also didn't scan in the store, but they just accepted my word it was valid. The watch 7 has a larger screen than the 4, so the QR code should be larger.
I do have the mens size larger screen series 3 (think it is 42mm), but I imagine it could even be worse with womans size which has an even smaller screen (38mm). Part of the issue seems to be that the QR code could be made larger as it doesn't fill the entire screen.

Nate001

677 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 465

#2832293 14-Dec-2021 17:31

I scanned myself on series 6 (44mm) no problem. But I'm yet to try anywhere as I'm never without my phone.

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

yann

138 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 37

#2832295 14-Dec-2021 17:41

It has been working fine on my Series 4 (44mm). Not sure what the resolution difference between the 3 and 4 (and sizes), though not a reflection or lighting issue perhaps?

Is this via the Wallet type thing where Apple Pay type cards are? Not sure if it is the same when people use Android phones with an Apple Watch, but I assume you're Apple phone as you're doing testing with that as well.

For me, when I access it via the wallet, I tap the My Vaccine Pass and it pops out to a full screen type version of the QR code (using the largest square area it can).

mattwnz

20515 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4795

#2832318 14-Dec-2021 18:26

yann:

It has been working fine on my Series 4 (44mm). Not sure what the resolution difference between the 3 and 4 (and sizes), though not a reflection or lighting issue perhaps?

Is this via the Wallet type thing where Apple Pay type cards are? Not sure if it is the same when people use Android phones with an Apple Watch, but I assume you're Apple phone as you're doing testing with that as well.

For me, when I access it via the wallet, I tap the My Vaccine Pass and it pops out to a full screen type version of the QR code (using the largest square area it can).

Reflections aren't an issue. When accessing from the wallet, when it pops up the QR code, it is the same size as on the pass. It is larger than I thought, but still doesn't extend to the full width of the screen. I guess that the series 4 is just large enough for it not to be an issue. Maybe it is due to series 3 and older not having the required pixel resolution on the screen to display the QR code properly. The QR code can be scanning from the iphone on my note 9, and vice versa, just not the apple watch. Wondering if this could be just affecting series 0, 1, 2 and 3 users which I understand have smaller screens.

boosacnoodle

1269 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 855

#2832470 14-Dec-2021 20:38

This is almost certainly an issue with the device scanning. The passes sync between your iPhone and Watch automatically, so should be no issue there. I have had issues holding my hand still and trying to be in sync with the person scanning sometimes but it always scans eventually. Very handy for when I go to the pool then I don't need to take my phone.

bp1000

93 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 20

#2832584 14-Dec-2021 23:41

Vaccine Certificate on my Apple Watch Series 5. Successfully scanned with the pass verifier app on my iphone 12 pro

mattwnz

20515 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4795

#2832585 15-Dec-2021 00:01

I tried it again with an ipad pro and it did finally work after a few goes. It seems to be an issue with the screen contrast and size and getting the device to focus properly on it and it maybe related to finger print oil on the screen. It probably won't be reliable enough to use. Still can't get the note 9 to scan it, and that seems to be really quick and good at scanning anything other OR codes.