iOS 14.5 new features, Apple explains: How to unlock iPhone with Apple Watch while wearing a mask

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April 28 news With the release of iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4, Apple officially introduced a new feature that enables users wearing masks to unlock their iPhone with a paired and authenticated Apple Watch, avoiding constantly entering passwords.

Apple has now released a support document that explains how the feature works and what conditions are required for it to work properly.

Unlock iPhone with Apple Watch while wearing a mask

When you’re wearing a mask and your Apple Watch, just lift and glance at your iPhone to unlock it. Learn how to set up and use this feature.

Requirements

• Unlocking iPhone with Apple Watch requires the following devices:
• iPhone with Face ID (iPhone X or later) and iOS 14.5 or later
• Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 7.4 or later

To use this feature, you also need to meet the following 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 must be turned on.
• Your Apple Watch needs to be on your wrist and unlocked.
• You need to wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose.

How to set up Unlock with Apple Watch

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
• Tap Face ID & Passcode, then enter your passcode.
• Scroll down to Unlock with Apple Watch and turn on the feature next to your watch's name. If your watch doesn't have wrist detection enabled, you'll be asked to turn it on.

How to Unlock iPhone with Apple Watch

• Make sure you are wearing a mask and that your Apple Watch is on your wrist and unlocked.
• Wake up iPhone by lifting it or tapping the screen.
• Glance at your iPhone to unlock your device. Then, swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone screen to get started.

If you didn't mean to unlock your iPhone

When your Apple Watch successfully unlocks your iPhone, the watch provides haptic feedback and displays an alert. If you didn't mean to unlock your iPhone, tap the Lock iPhone button on the Apple Watch screen.

After you tap this button, the next time you unlock your iPhone, your iPhone will ask you to enter your passcode.

Learn more

• Unlock with Apple Watch only works when your Apple Watch is on your wrist and unlocked, and your iPhone is nearby. This feature does not use Face ID to identify and authenticate you.
• Unlock with Apple Watch can only be used to unlock your iPhone. It does not authenticate your identity to use Apple Pay, passcodes stored in your keychain, or passcode-protected apps. While wearing a mask, you can still use these features by entering your iPhone passcode or use Apple Pay with your Apple Watch.