Apple releases watchOS 7.4 with ability to unlock an iPhone with an Apple Watch
Apple has released watchOS 7.4, the latest software update for Apple Watch alongside iOS 14.5 today, bringing a new “Unlock iPhone with Apple Watch” feature that allows iPhone users to unlock their device without Face ID when wearing a face-covering using their Apple Watch, improvements, and more. 1
“Unlock iPhone with Apple Watch” is one of the main features of watchOS 7.4. When a user is wearing a face mask, the iPhone will perform a Face ID scan as normal, but it will be able to detect whether or not a face covering is being worn. If so, the iPhone will verify as much of the user’s face as possible with the face mask on, then unlock the device based on if the user is wearing an Apple Watch which has been unlocked by a passcode.
When the iPhone has been unlocked using the new “Unlock iPhone with Apple Watch” feature, the user will receive a notification alerting them of the recent activity, with the option to then lock the device from their wrist.
See more about the “Unlock iPhone with Apple Watch” feature here.