How to unlock iPhone with Apple Watch in iOS 14.5, even while wearing a mask

Apple will soon allow you to unlock your iPhone while wearing an Apple Watch. This means that it will be much easier to unlock your phone while wearing a mask, which you currently need to remove for Face ID to work.

The feature will launch this spring when Apple rolls out iOS 14.5 for iPhones and the corresponding Apple Watch update. You need to have an Apple Watch on your wrist, unlocked and with its own password.

It works really well. You might be familiar with the process if you have a Mac and an Apple Watch – you can already unlock a Mac just by getting close while wearing your Apple Watch, for example.

The experience is really similar with the iPhone. If you have a mask (or even if you don’t), just swipe up from the bottom of the screen on your iPhone. Your iPhone will scan part of your face and your Apple Watch will make a small buzz indicating that it has been used to unlock your iPhone. It unlocks in an instant, just like Face ID does when you don’t have a mask on.

I tested it with more than just a mask. I pulled up my shirt covering everything except my forehead and eyes, and it worked. It didn’t work when I blocked my whole face or tried to unlock the phone without being in front of it.

Here’s how you’ll be able to set it up when iOS 14.5 is released.

I tested this using the beta version of iOS 14.5. But, once the software is available to everyone this spring, you can follow these steps to set it up.

• Open the settings on your iPhone.
• Tap Face ID & Password.
• Enter your iPhone passcode.
• Scroll down to “Unlock with Apple Watch”.
• Toggle the button next to your Apple Watch so it’s on.

That’s all. Now, when you unlock your iPhone with a mask, you will experience a slight buzzing sound on your Apple Watch while unlocking your iPhone.