iPhone and Apple Watch complement each other very well and have a number of features that make it easy to use both devices.
One of these options allows you to unlock your iPhone using your Apple Watch.
However, before you can use this feature, you need to make sure that a couple of settings are enabled on your watch.
Once you do that, you will be able to make a setting on your iPhone that will allow you to unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch.
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Apple Watch straps can get dirty and frayed over time, so it’s a good idea to replace them periodically. Luckily, Amazon sells inexpensive replacement Apple Watch bands in various colors.
How to set up your Apple Watch with the necessary settings
Step 1: Press the crown button on the side of the watch to open the app menu.
Step 2: Tap on the gear icon to open the Settings menu.
Step 3: Select Wi-Fi, turn it on, and then tap the back arrow.
Step 4: Select Bluetooth, turn it on and tap the back arrow.
Step 5: If you haven’t set a password on your watch yet, you’ll need to select “Password,” tap “Enable Password,” and then create and confirm a password.
Step 6: Also turn on the wrist detection option in the password menu.
Now that your Apple Watch is set to do this, you’ll need to enable the setting on your iPhone.
Related: If you don’t want your watch to display the time when it’s on the charger, our article on turning off the Apple Watch’s night mode can help.
How to turn on the Apple Watch unlock feature on your iPhone
The steps in this section were performed on an iPhone 13 running iOS 16.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down and select the Face ID & Passcode option.
Step 3: Enter your current iPhone passcode.
Step 4: Click the button to the right of the Apple Watch name under Unlock with Apple Watch.
Step 5: Click on the Enable button.
Now that you know how to unlock an iPhone with your Apple Watch, you should be able to complete this process whenever there is something on your face that is preventing Face ID from working properly.
Summary of how to unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch
Unlocking your iPhone with your Apple Watch can save you time and effort, especially if you’re wearing a mask or face covering. With watchOS 7.4 or later and iOS 14.5 or later, you can turn on the Apple Watch unlock feature to make unlocking your iPhone a breeze. Heres how to do it:
Step 1: Set up your Apple Watch
Before turning on Unlock with Apple Watch, make sure that your Apple Watch is properly set and connected to your iPhone.
To do this, tap the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch to display a list of apps, then select the Settings app. From there, make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on and Passcode is on with wrist detection for security.
Step 2: Enable Unlock with Apple Watch
When your Apple Watch is ready, it’s time to enable Unlock with your Apple Watch.
Start by opening the Settings app on your iPhone and choosing Face ID & Passcode. Enter your phone’s passcode when prompted, then swipe right on the button next to your Apple Watch under Unlock with Apple Watch.
Step 3: Use Apple Watch Unlock
With Unlock with Apple Watch turned on, you can now unlock your iPhone simply by raising your wrist or tapping the screen.
If Face ID can’t recognize your face, your Apple Watch will vibrate to let you know your phone is unlocked. Keep in mind that this feature may take a few seconds to activate, so please be patient.
It is important to note that the Apple Watch unlock feature only works under certain conditions.
For example, for the feature to work, your watch must be unlocked and on your wrist, and your iPhone must be nearby. Also, some apps may still ask you to enter a passcode for security reasons.
If at any time you want to turn off Unlock with Apple Watch, just go back to Face ID & Passcode in the Settings app on your iPhone and swipe left on the button next to your Apple Watch.
All in all, unlocking your iPhone with your Apple Watch can save you time and effort, especially in situations where Face ID might not work. By properly setting your watch and enabling this feature on your phone, you can easily and securely unlock your iPhone with a flick of your wrist.