This article covers a new beta option on iOS that lets you unlock a paired iPhone with a facial ID and an Apple Watch, even if you’re wearing a face mask. Read on to find out how it works.
/article-new/2021/02/FaceID-Masked-Blue-copy.jpg?resize=560%2C315&ssl=1)
Apple launched its facial ID facial recognition system in November 2017 with the launch of the PiPhone X, offering users an even simpler way to unlock their smartphone than traditional fingerprint recognition.
Following the now common use of face masks, however, Apple’s biometric feature has been impaired, causing many users to have to enter their password to unlock the device when in public spaces.
Fortunately, Apple responded to this change in our everyday lives with the introduction of a new feature that allows iPhone users who use an Apple Watch to unlock their smartphone via Face ID through a partial face scan when wearing a mask. .
The process is similar to how it works when unlocking a Mac with an Apple Watch. When the unlock happens, the user receives a tactile buzz and a notification on the Apple Watch that the unlock procedure was successful. However, remember that you can only use your Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask – it cannot be used to authenticate purchases from Apple Pay or the App Store.
Before you can take advantage of the new feature, you need to make sure that you are running a developer beta or public beta versions of iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4. You will need the iPhone and Apple Watch profiles from the Apple beta testing site and, after installing them, you can update on iPhone by going to Settings -> General -> Software update. To update your Apple Watch, install iOS 14.5 and start the To see application on your PiPhone, tap the My watch tab at the bottom of the screen and select General -> Software update.
What you will need
- IPhone X or later with Face ID
- Apple Watch Series 3 or later
- iOS 14.5 or later installed on the PiPhone
- watchOS 7.4 or later installed on Apple Watch
Updates for iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4 are currently available to developers and public beta testers, with a public release scheduled for this spring.
How to set up iPhone unlock with Apple Watch
- Launch the Definitions application on your iPhone.
- Select Facial ID and password.
- Enter your PiPhone password.
- Scroll down to the section titled “Unlock with Apple Watch” and toggle the key next to Apple Watch to the green ON position. (If the option is grayed out, you need to update the version of watchOS on your Apple Watch.)
/article-new/2021/02/unlock-iphone-with-apple-watch-e1612352290324.jpg?resize=560%2C307&ssl=1)
How to unlock your iPhone with Apple Watch
To use your Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone, it must be nearby, on your wrist, unlocked and protected by a password. If you have not yet set a password, start the To see application on your PiPhone, select Password -> Enable passwordand enter the password you want to use (you will have to do this twice to confirm).
/article-new/2021/02/unlock-iphone-apple-watch.jpg?resize=560%2C487&ssl=1)
The first time you try to unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch wearing a mask, your iPhone will ask you to enter your password. After doing so, all subsequent attempts to unlock your iPhone by wearing a mask will be quick and perfect, with each successful unlock accompanied by a brief haptic buzz on your wrist. You will need to enter your password again if you remove the watch and the first time you set it up each day.