Do you know how many times you unlock your phone per day? Too certainly. If you have a connected watch, there is a very simple solution to set up to automatically unlock your iPhone using your Apple Watch. We explain everything to you in this tutorial..
Keep your phone unlocked
It will always be very difficult to find the right balance between security and ease of use. Locking the screen of a smartphone is certainly restrictive but it is the only effective solution to protect your personal data.
If for you, entering a password, typing a pin code or putting your finger on a fingerprint sensor has become too tedious a gesture, know that Apple offers a tool to bypass these security devices..
Of course, we are not talking here about hacking techniques (hacking to fraudulently access data stored in the phone) but about a device that automatically unlocks the protection of the iPhone in very specific cases.
For example, imagine that your iPhone and your watch are both close to each other. In such a situation, the risks of seeing your data fall into the wrong hands are low, if not zero..
So why not establish a bond of trust between your phone and your watch. This way your Apple Watch can unlock your iPhone without any intervention on your part. Below is the procedure to enable this feature on your Apple devices.
Set up iPhone unlock with an Apple Watch
Before going any further, be aware that this feature is reserved only for iPhone owners equipped with Face ID (i.e. iPhone X, 11, 12, 13 and higher versions) and with iOS 14.5. But that's not all. For the smartwatch, only series 3 models and later (with watchOS 7.4 or later) are compatible.
Once your two devices have been updated, you will need to perform various operations. The configuration is quite simple, from the moment you follow all the explanations given below to the letter.
- Click the Settings icon on your iPhone
- Tap on the Face ID and passcode section
- Enter your protection code
- Scroll down until you see Unlock with Apple Watch
- Press the switch next to it to activate the function
- Note that if the wrist detection mode is not activated on your Apple Watch, a message will ask you to do so
Obviously, this function can only be used if the Face ID function has been previously configured on your phone. You will also need to check that your watch is protected by a code.
How iPhone Auto Unlock Works
Now that you have configured your two devices, you will be able to test the automatic unlocking function of your iPhone. Before you begin, make sure your watch is securely attached to your wrist and you're wearing a goggle or sunglasses. For more info: how to unlock your iPhone with a mask.
- Place your finger on your iPhone screen
- Place your phone in front of your eyes as usual to unlock it via the face recognition system
Face ID will detect that you are wearing a mask or sunglasses. Instead of asking you for your passcode, it will check that your watch is nearby to unlock your iPhone screen. So you can enjoy your phone freely.