iOS 14.7 & watchOS 7.6 add lock your Apple Watch with iPhone option

Your iPhone has had the ability to unlock your Apple Watch for a while now. The most recent software update adds the ability to lock it the same way.

iOS 14.7 and watchOS 7.6 didn’t seem to add too much that is new. However, one feature that was slapped on and little written about may be useful. It allows you to lock your Apple Watch with an iPhone in addition to unlocking it.

The other smaller update is that it now shows you on your iPhone display that you have locked or unlocked your Apple Watch. This pops up as a notification.


How to unlock your Apple Watch with an iPhone

You can unlock an Apple Watch in one of a number of different ways. The obvious one is to do it manually – by entering the passcode. This can be a bit of a hassle, though, so the simpler way to do this is to set it to unlock automatically when you unlock your iPhone.

Essential reading“Notify When Left Behind” feature is coming to the Apple Watch

It is fairly simple to set this up. Basically you’ll need to go to the settings app on your Apple Watch. Open it and tap on Passcode. Then choose the turn on the Unlock with iPhone option. Simple and to the point. Job done.

iOS 14.7 & watchOS 7.6 add lock your Apple Watch with iPhone feature

The other way to do this is via your iPhone. Open up the Apple Watch app, choose Passcode and then switch on the Unlock with iPhone option.

Some things to remember in order for this to work:

  • Your iPhone needs to be fairly close to your Apple Watch. Within he normal Bluetooth range which Apple defines as 10 metres or 33 feet.
  • Bluetooth must be switched on both on your Apple Watch and iPhone.

Finally, you can choose to have the same password or different ones on your Apple Watch and iPhone. It doesn’t matter – as it won’t effect the functionality of the unlock feature. In fact we suggest that you have two different passwords – and cycle through them regularly. Better safe than sorry.


How to lock your Apple Watch with an iPhone

In the past, this functionality worked in only one direction. You could unlock an Apple Watch with an iPhone but not the other way around.

This latest software update adds this ability. The functionality works similarly to locking your iPhone using the Apple Watch.

Why would you need to lock your Apple Watch with an iPhone I hear you ask? Well, for security reasons. Maybe someone picked up your watch and is wearing it. Perhaps you have placed the watch on the table but it still thinks it is sitting on your wrist. It could be for any number of very different reasons.

iOS 14.7 & watchOS 7.6 add lock your Apple Watch with iPhone feature

The unlock your Apple Watch with iPhone feature is not a big change but it is a useful one to be aware of. The same is the case with the notification that you now get on your iPhone display whenever you unlock or lock your Apple Watch.

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Marko Maslakovic

Marko founded Gadgets & Wearables in 2014, having worked for more than 15 years in the City of London’s financial district. Since then, he has led the company’s charge to become a leading information source on health and fitness gadgets and wearables.

One thought on “iOS 14.7 & watchOS 7.6 add lock your Apple Watch with iPhone option

  • After updating iphone 10s to ios 14.7 and updating apple watch 4 to os 7.6 my iphone no longer unlocks my apple watch. Does every one with theses devices and os’s have this problem?

    Reply

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