How to unlock your iPhone with Apple Watch

 iOS 14.5 is here and brings a long-desired feature: unlocking iPhone with Apple Watch. We explain how this works and what you should keep in mind.

Apple has released iOS 14.5 for the iPhone after almost two months of intensive testing. 

While the update offers a surprising number of new features, one, in particular, takes center stage. 

As an iPhone user with Apple Watch, you can now unlock your iPhone despite the mask. 

Apple had already improved Face ID which leads to code entry faster when the mask is recognized, but this is only partially practical and secure. 

The new function is therefore much more comfortable.

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Preconditions

Before you can get started, make sure you have the latest software installed on your iPhone and Apple Watch. 

On iPhone, you'll need iOS 14.5 or later, while the feature on Apple Watch requires watchOS 7.4 or later.

 According to Apple, you, therefore, need an Apple Watch Series 3 (or newer). As soon as the software is installed, it can almost start. 

The feature is not activated by default but must be turned on manually – as with unlocking on the Mac.

Unlock iPhone with Apple Watch – How it works with iOS 14.5

To do this, open the Settings app and call up "Face ID & Code". Then drag the slider under "Unlock with Apple Watch" to the right. It still can't start after that. 

You need to make sure that your Apple Watch is unlocked on your wrist and that you have secured it with a passcode. 

Otherwise, the new function cannot be used for safety reasons. 

How does unlocking work with Apple Watch?

Unlike the Mac, it's not enough to wear the Apple Watch to unlock the device. The iPhone must still be held in front of the face. 

The mask is recognized and a partial scan of your face is carried out. 

In addition, it is checked whether the Apple Watch is near the iPhone and whether it is already unlocked. 

If all criteria are met, the iPhone will be unlocked in seconds and a small vibration on the wrist will also inform you about unlocking. 

If you don't agree, you can lock your iPhone from your Apple Watch. To do this, it shows you a small button that you only have to tap. 

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Unlocking with Apple Watch has limits

In iOS 14.5, Apple only allows you to unlock with the apple watch. Other functions on the Mac are not available. 

So you can't pay with Apple Pay or fill in a password automatically. 

To do this, you must either remove the mask or enter your system code. 

Maybe Apple will submit the features with an upcoming update.

What do you think of the new features? Would you have liked that earlier? Let us know in the comments.

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