Easily Unlock Your iPhone with an Apple Watch While Wearing a Mask: A Comprehensive Guide

iPhone unlock, Apple Watch, and FaceID have become essential tools for modern smartphone users. However, with the increasing use of masks during the pandemic, many users have faced challenges in easily and securely unlocking their iPhones. In this article, we will guide you through the process of using your Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone when wearing a mask. We will cover the necessary devices and steps, as well as tips for proper setup and usage.

What You Need to Unlock Your iPhone with an Apple Watch

To unlock your iPhone with an Apple Watch while wearing a mask, you need to meet specific hardware and software requirements. Here are the essential components:

An iPhone that uses FaceID

Your iPhone must be an iPhone X or later model with iOS 14.5 or later installed. These devices are compatible with the FaceID feature that integrates with Apple Watch.

An Apple Watch Series 3 or later model

Your Apple Watch must be a Series 3 or later model with watchOS 7.4 or later installed. These watches are equipped with the necessary tech to communicate with your iPhone and unlock it wirelessly.

Other Requirements

Your Apple Watch needs to be paired with your iPhone Your iPhone and Apple Watch need to have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on Your Apple Watch needs to have a passcode and wrist detection turned on Your Apple Watch needs to be on your wrist and unlocked You need to be wearing a mask that covers your mouth and nose

How to Set Up 'Unlock with Apple Watch'

Setup steps for using your Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone are detailed below:

Step 1: Open the Settings App on Your iPhone

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Unlock with Apple Watch

2. Tap on Face ID Passcode.

3. Enter your passcode.

4. Scroll down and toggle on Unlock with Apple Watch

5. Select your watch from the list of paired devices.

6. If your watch does not have wrist detection enabled, you will be prompted to turn it on.

How to Unlock Your iPhone with Your Apple Watch While Wearing a Mask

Once you have set up 'Unlock with Apple Watch', you can easily unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask by following these steps:

Step 1: Ensure Both Devices Are Ready

Make sure that your Apple Watch is on your wrist and unlocked Make sure you are wearing a mask that covers your mouth and nose

Step 2: Wake Your iPhone

Raise your iPhone or tap its screen to wake it up.

Step 3: Glance at Your iPhone

Glance at your iPhone to unlock it. You should feel a vibration on your wrist if the unlock is successful. Slide up from the bottom of your iPhone's screen to begin using it.

What to Do If You Didnt Mean to Unlock Your iPhone

Occasionally, you might accidentally unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch. Here’s what to do:

Your Apple Watch will provide haptic feedback and show an alert when it successfully unlocks your iPhone. If you did not mean to unlock your iPhone, tap the 'Lock iPhone' button on your Apple Watch screen. The next time you attempt to unlock your iPhone after tapping this button, your iPhone will require you to type your passcode.

Learn More

Unlock with Apple Watch works when both your watch and iPhone are on your person and within close proximity. Note that this feature does not use Face ID to recognize and authenticate you. It is designed specifically for unlocking your iPhone instead of verifying your identity for other features like Apple Pay, passwords stored in Keychain, or password-protected apps. You can still use these features while wearing a mask by typing your iPhone passcode or using your Apple Watch for Apple Pay.

Published Date: April 30, 2021