How to Unlock Your iPhone with Apple Watch (Step-by-Step Guide)

Apple has made unlocking your iPhone faster and more convenient than ever. Face ID is designed to recognize you instantly, but it can sometimes struggle when you’re wearing sunglasses.If you often keep your shades on, your iPhone might not unlock as smoothly as you’d like.

That’s where your Apple Watch can make a big difference. You can use it to unlock your iPhone automatically, without removing your sunglasses or entering your passcode. Here’s how it works and how to set it up for seamless access.

How Does the Unlock with Apple Watch Feature Work?

When you enable the Unlock With Apple Watch option on your iPhone, your Apple Watch can automatically unlock your iPhone whenever Face ID struggles to recognize your face.

Once the Apple Watch detects that it has unlocked your iPhone, you’ll get a haptic feedback and notification confirming that your iPhone has been unlocked.

Here’s what happens: if your iPhone detects a face (partially covered by a mask or sunglasses) and your Apple Watch is on your wrist, unlocked, and nearby, your iPhone unlocks instantly. You’ll feel a quick haptic tap on your wrist and see a notification confirming your iPhone has been unlocked.

This feature works on iPhone X or later and Apple Watch Series 3 or newer. Before setting it up, make sure these conditions are met:

• Both devices are close to each other.
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on both.
• Both are signed in with the same Apple ID and have passcodes enabled.
• Wrist Detection is turned on in the Apple Watch settings.

How to Enable Unlock with Apple Watch on iPhone

Follow these steps to enable the feature:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and head to Face ID & Passcode settings.
2. Scroll down to the Unlock with Apple Watch section and toggle on [Your Name] Apple Watch.
   

That’s it. Now, whenever Face ID can’t identify you, your Apple Watch will unlock your iPhone automatically.

How to Lock Your iPhone Using Apple Watch

Sometimes, your Apple Watch might unlock your iPhone unintentionally for instance, when someone else picks it up while you’re nearby. Apple has thought of that too.

If you get a notification saying your iPhone has been unlocked, tap the Lock iPhone button on your Apple Watch. This immediately re-locks your iPhone and disables Apple Watch unlocking until you manually enter your passcode.

Is Unlocking Your iPhone with Apple Watch Secure?

Yes, it’s very secure. Apple designed this feature with multiple layers of protection:

• Your Apple Watch must be on your wrist, unlocked, and near your iPhone.
• Face ID must detect a face before triggering the feature.
• You receive a haptic alert and notification every time your iPhone is unlocked via Apple Watch.
• Both devices must be signed in with the same Apple ID, preventing unauthorized access.

This ensures convenience without compromising security.

Watch this quick video guide:

Unlock with Apple Watch Not Working? Try These Fixes

If your Apple Watch isn’t unlocking your iPhone, try these troubleshooting tips:

• Check that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on both devices.
• Ensure your Apple Watch is unlocked and Wrist Detection is turned on (go to Watch app > Passcode > Wrist Detection).
• Make sure Face ID for iPhone Unlock is toggled on under Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
• Restart both your iPhone and Apple Watch to clear minor bugs.

If it still doesn’t work, contact Apple Support for further assistance.

Signing off…

Unlocking your iPhone with your Apple Watch is one of those small but meaningful Apple ecosystem features that make life easier. Whether you’re masked up, wearing sunglasses, or just want faster access, it’s a reliable and secure solution.

If you have a compatible iPhone and Apple Watch, enable this feature today and enjoy seamless unlocking across your devices.

Still have questions? Drop them in the comments, and we’ll be happy to help!

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