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Face ID was supposed to make unlocking an iPhone seamless as if you didn’t need a passcode to use your phone. Just glancing at your iPhone was enough to unlock it in a fraction of a second.
Then the pandemic hit.
With a mask blocking half of your face, you can no longer rely on Face ID to recognize you and automatically unlock your phone. Initially with Face ID, your iPhone made several attempts to recognize you before suggesting you enter a passcode. Then in May of last year, Apple addressed this issue with an iPhone update that quickly showed the keypad when a facemask was detected so a passcode could be entered.
But for those who wear masks frequently and for those who have to wear masks and gloves, the need to enter a passcode to unlock an iPhone can be downright aggravating.
Apple is addressing this problem of masks blocking Face ID with an iPhone update that will make unlocking your phone while wearing a mask much easier.
Check out => How to Unlock Your Mac Computer with Your Apple Watch
What You Need to Know About Easily Unlocking Your iPhone While Wearing a Mask
The good news is that with this update, you’ll be able to unlock your iPhone quickly and easily while wearing a mask and won’t need to enter a passcode. The not-as-good news is that this new feature requires an Apple Watch to work. If you already have an Apple Watch, then this update will be a game-changer for you.
If you don’t already have an Apple Watch, then this update may be the killer feature that makes you get one. Or not, depending on how much you’re bothered by having to enter a passcode when you’re wearing a mask.
You should also know that this update won’t be appearing on your iPhone quite yet. This update is included in iOS 14.5 and Watch OS 7.4 that are being beta tested now and should be available for general release in the spring.
But if you don’t want to wait to unlock your iPhone without a passcode when wearing a mask, you can get this update now.
Availability of iOS 14.5 and WatchOS 7.4
This update is available in iOS 14.5 and WatchOS 7.4 that are now available to iPhone and Apple Watch users who sign up for Apple’s beta testing program. If you’re eager to get this update so you can unlock your iPhone easily while wearing a mask, you can sign up for the Apple beta testing program. This program is free and available to the public.
You don’t need to be a developer, anyone can sign up for the beta testing program. For step-by-step instructions on how to join the iPhone beta program to get iOS 14.5 now, check out The Verge How to install Apple’s watchOS 7 and iOS 14 betas so you can unlock your phone with your watch.
If you’d prefer to wait, then iOS 14.5 and WatchOS 7.4 should be available in the coming months.
How to Unlock Your iPhone Using Your Apple Watch
With this update in iOS 14.5 and WatchOS 7.4, you’ll be able to use your Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone while you’re wearing a mask. The Apple Watch must be unlocked and registered to the same Apple ID as your iPhone.
With this feature enabled, your iPhone will first try to use Face ID to unlock the phone. If the phone detects you’re wearing a mask, it will connect to your Apple Watch to unlock the phone. Your Apple Watch will tap your wrist and show a notification that your iPhone has been unlocked.
If you didn’t want your iPhone to be unlocked, you can tap the Lock iPhone button on your Apple Watch to lock your phone.
For this feature to work, your iPhone must be close to your Apple Watch, your Apple Watch must require a passcode, and your Apple Watch must be on your wrist.
Opt In
Note that after your iPhone has been updated to iOS 14.5 and your Apple Watch has been updated to WatchOS 7.4, you must opt in to allow your Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone. This step is required in the beta version of iOS 14.5 and probably will remain in the general release version of iOS 14.5.
To opt into this feature, go to Settings on your iPhone => Face ID & Passcode => Unlock with Apple Watch => On.
If you’re not comfortable with unlocking your iPhone using your Apple Watch, you don’t have to turn this feature on. But if unlocking your iPhone with your Watch when wearing a mask would be convenient, you can opt in and try it out.
Limitations of Unlocking Your iPhone With Your Apple Watch
Security
You should know that unlocking your iPhone with your Apple Watch is less secure than using a passcode or Face ID. Your iPhone won’t identify the person wearing a mask who’s trying to unlock your iPhone using your Apple Watch. So anyone with a mask will be able to unlock your iPhone using your Apple Watch.
But you will get a notice on your Apple Watch when your iPhone has been unlocked by the Watch, with a button allowing you to lock your iPhone. You should consider whether that is secure enough for your needs.
Passcode Will Still Be Needed for Purchases
If your iPhone has been unlocked using your Apple Watch, it will require a passcode for purchases. You’ll need to enter a passcode on your phone to use Apple Pay, make purchases at the App Store or Apple Store, and other tasks that may require an added layer of security.
Because unlocking your iPhone using your Apple Watch is not as secure as using Face ID or a passcode, Apple places limitations on this new feature. By requiring a passcode for purchases, Apple is making using your iPhone more convenient while trying to protect you from unauthorized purchases.
Your Thoughts
Have you been frustrated by having to enter a passcode to unlock your iPhone when you’re wearing a mask? Do you like the idea of using your Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone? If you don’t have an Apple Watch already, does this new feature make you more likely to get one? Will you be signing up for the beta testing program?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
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*iPhone and Apple Watch imaged (edited) courtesy of Mr. Tozzo via Pixabay and Creative Commons
Apple knows better what features to give customers each time. This is an essential feature iPhone users need these days to protect themselves and unlock the device. But what about people having no Apple watches? Why Apple is not considering developing an unlock technology using eyes?
Hi Manoj, Excellent points. Apple may be able to use retinal scans to unlock iPhones, but there also may be some controversy with privacy issues. If Face ID did better at identifying people using only the top half of their faces, then this issue could be solved without an Apple Watch.
There are different ways to lock it, so it is not the end of the world. Sure, it will be great if it can be done through the watch. I personally worked on app for RaspeberryPi recently that recognize if you wear mask or not, I suppose this can be modified and used in the phone too.
Hi Carl, That would be great if people could unlock their phones with Face ID while wearing a mask without the need for an Apple Watch.
I think you meant there are many ways to unlock a phone, and you’re right. But the danger is people pulling down their masks for “just a second” to use Face ID to unlock their phones, potentially exposing themselves and others to the virus.
I see that all of the time in stores. This would actually make it safer to shop in crowded stores. I myself probably take my phone out 2 or 3 times while shopping and have to put my ID in every time.
Hi Paul, Exactly, putting in your password can be extremely annoying when you have to do it repeatedly throughout the day. I’ve enabled unlocking the iPhone with my Apple Watch and have found it incredibly handy when I’m wearing a mask.
This is very cool upcoming thing in market i must say that. apple’s gadget are really so techy and so advance.
Hi Stacy, Yes, it’s great how these gadgets can interact. It would be better if the iPhone could recognize you without needing an Apple Watch when you’re wearing a mask. I guess we can’t have everything!
Thanks for the post. Looking forward to this option in my Apple Watch.
Does someone else have problems unlocking their mac with the Apple Watch? For me it seems to work only half of the time.
Hello Jose, I don’t have problems unlocking my Mac with my Apple Watch. Be sure that your Watch is on your wrist and close by when you’re opening your Mac. My only problem is if I open my Mac and then walk away before it’s unlocked.