Your Guide to Unlocking Your iPhone with Your Apple Watch When You’re Wearing a Mask

Did you know that the Face ID facial recognition system was introduced to the public when Apple launched the iPhone X in 2017? Compared to traditional fingerprint recognition, this new upgrade made it easier for users to unlock their smartphones. However, now that most users are wearing face masks in public areas, they are forced to enter their passcodes when they try to unlock their devices.

As a response to this change, Apple has recently introduced a biometric feature that allows iPhone users who wear an Apple Watch to unlock their iPhones through a partial face scan when they’re wearing face masks. Thanks to the new beta option in iOS, this is made possible by pairing your Apple Watch together with Face ID!

Steps for Unlocking Your iPhone with Your Apple Watch While Wearing a Mask

STEP 1: Run Public Betas of iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4 or a Developer Beta

You have to make sure that you’re running the public betas of iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4 or a developer beta. The process also requires the iPhone and Apple Watch profiles that you can find on Apple’s beta testing website.

STEP 2: Update on iPhone

Once you’ve installed them, your next step is to update on iPhone by following these steps:

Head to Settings
Select General
Go to Software Update

STEP 3: Update Your Apple Watch

Furthermore, you’ll also need to update your Apple Watch by following these steps:

Install iOS 14.5
Launch the Watch app on your iPhone

Look for the My Watch tab at the bottom part of the screen
Select General
Tap Software Update

STEP 4: Set Up Unlock iPhone with Your Apple Watch

Go to Settings on your iPhone
Tap Face ID & Passcode
Enter your passcode
Find Unlock with Apple Watch

Toggle the switch next to Apple Watch to the ON position
Be sure that your Apple Watch is on your wrist, unlocked, and is protected by your passcode.

You’ll get a notification and a haptic buzz on your Apple Watch when you’ve successfully completed the unlocking procedure. It’s important to note that this only applies when you’re trying to unlock your iPhone while you’re wearing a face mask and not when you’re authenticating your Apple Pay or App Store purchases.