Apple Watch has been more of a blessing than a curse. Thanks to their groundbreaking technology, these devices can integrate well with your iOS devices, allowing us to perform several operations like sending and receiving phone calls, text messages, email, and lots more without requiring your iPhone nearby.
But do you know Apple Watch can be used to unlock iPhone without passcode? Yes, perhaps you’re in a situation where your iPhone won’t recognize your Face ID and you can’t remember your passcode, the Apple Watch can come to your rescue to unlock your iPhone without a passcode.
If you want to find out how this works, this guide will show you the step-by-step process to unlock iPhone with Apple Watch. Let’s dive right in.
How to Check If You Can Unlock Your iPhone with Apple Watch
If your iPhone and Apple Watch meet the system and model requirements, unlocking your iPhone with the Apple Watch is fully supported.
How to Unlock iPhone with Apple Watch
Before using your Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone, make sure you’ve completed the following setups and preparations. Once done, you can enjoy convenient device unlocking.
Set These Up First:
1. Pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone if you haven’t already. Here is an official guide for your reference.
2. Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both your Apple Watch and iPhone.
3. Set a passcode on your Apple Watch
- Choose My Watch in the Watch app of your iPhone.
- Tap Passcode and select Turn Passcode On.
- Head back to your Apple Watch and set a screen passcode.
4. Enable Wrist Detection on your Apple Watch.
- Go to Settings and locate Passcode.
- Enable Wrist Detection.
5. Turn on Unlock with Apple Watch in iPhone
- In your iPhone’s Settings app, tap Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode.
- Locate Unlock with Apple Watch and turn on the switch next to your watch.
Steps to Use Apple Watch to Unlock iPhone
Wear your Apple Watch on your wrist and unlock it.
Wear a mask, sunglasses, or ski goggles.
Step 1: Wake your iPhone and glance at it.
Step 2: Once you do that, your Apple Watch will ping immediately and let you know it has unlocked your iPhone.
How to Unlock iPhone Without Apple Watch or Passcode
Although Apple Watch can unlock iPhone without entering its passcode and without data loss, it has limitations — for example, Apple Pay and other features that require the screen passcode remain unavailable. To use your iPhone fully, you are suggested to remove the forgotten screen passcode from your iPhone. Below are three ways to unlock iPhone passcode without Apple Watch. Note that data loss will occur.
Way 1. Unlock iPhone Passcode with Passixer
Passixer iPhone Unlocker is one of the most efficient iPhone unlocking software that is packed with lots of helpful features, including a passcode wiper. This tool enables you to unlock your iPhone, whether it’s locked with screen passcode, broken screen or unavailable Face ID. Thanks to its seamlessly integrated user interface, you don’t need to be tech-savvy to navigate your way around the app.
Also, you can use Passixer to perform other types of operations like bypassing iCloud Activation Lock and removing Apple ID.
Unlocking an iPhone without a passcode doesn’t have to be slow or difficult. With the right tool, you can complete the process in minutes. To help you, here’s a step-by-step video tutorial showing the fastest way to do it:
Here is how to unlock iPhone without passcode using Passixer
After you install the Passixer iPhone Unlocker on your Mac or PC, launch the app and select “Wipe Passcode” from the available feature.
Connect your iPhone to the computer using its cable. Once the tool detects your iPhone, your iPhone information will appear on the screen, check to confirm. Then, click the “Start” button to download the firmware package required for unlocking your iPhone.
After the “Firmware” package download is complete, enter “0000” and hit “Unlock” and Passixer will help you instantly remove screen locks added to your iPhone.
Wait for a few minutes, your iPhone will be unlocked. You can feel free to use it now.
Way 2. Bypass iPhone Passcode Using Apple ID and Find My
Apple ID helps unlock your iPhone by resetting it. You can do this through the iCloud Find My website, the Find My app, or directly from the iPhone’s lock screen. Each method requires the Apple ID linked to the iPhone, the Find My feature to be enabled and a working internet connection. The table below provides a clear comparison of each option.
| Way | Similarity | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| iCloud Find My | Find My iPhone is enabled. Apple ID and password used on the locked iPhone. iPhone is network-connected. Erase all data and settings. |
Need a browser. |
| Find My App | Require another Apple device with Find My app. | |
| Lock Screen | iOS 15.2 or later is necessary. |
For the detailed steps of this way, you can refer to this post: How to Unlock iPhone with or without Apple ID👈.
Way 3. Remove iPhone Passcode via iTunes
iTunes or Finder is a primary tool for restoring and unlocking an iPhone. It’s straightforward to use if you’ve previously synced your device with the app. If not, you’ll need to put your iPhone into recovery mode first, which can be tricky for some users. Despite this, iTunes is still worth trying. Check this post for detailed instructions.
If iTunes can’t unlock your iPhone due to the failed iPhone detection or restore errors, check this guide to bypass iPhone passcode without using iTunes.
View PostBonus: How to Unlock Mac with Apple Watch
macOS’s Auto Unlock feature enables you to unlock your Mac with the nearby Apple Watch. If you are using Apple Watch Series 3 or newer running watchOS 3 or above and 2013 Mac or later with macOS Sierra or newer, you can follow this part to enable the useful feature.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on your Mac and Apple Watch.
Your Mac and Apple Watch are signed with the same Apple ID.
You have set a passcode on your Apple Watch.
Apple Watch option is on: go to Apple menu > choose System Settings > select Touch ID & Password > turn on the toggle under Apple Watch.
Steps to Unlock Mac with Apple Watch
Step 1. Wear your Apple Watch on the wrist and unlock it with the watch passcode.
Step 2. Stay close to the locked Mac and wake the Mac by hitting a key. Instantly, your watch will prompt you with “Unlocked by this Apple Watch”.
FAQs
No. If you want to keep your iPhone unlocked, you can turn screen passcode off in Settings.
You can try to repair the watch and iPhone or reset your Apple Watch. Reddit users have reported that these methods are useful.
Conclusion
Apple’s innovation in creating a seamless and secure way to unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch without a passcode has added a new layer of convenience to our digital lives. This feature streamlines the authentication process, making it easier to access your device while maintaining the robust security measures Apple is known for. However, if you want an alternative method to unlock iPhone without passcode or Apple Watch, you can use a fast tool like Passixer iPhone Unlocker.