How to Open Your Apple Watch with Your iPhone

By Amy Spitzfaden Both Updated 02/28/2022

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

Learn how to unlock an Apple Watch with an iPhone. Knowing how to unlock your Apple Watch from your iPhone not only saves you from entering your passcode each time you unlock your smart watch, but also offers the convenience of not having to type on your tiny screen. 

Related: How to Lock & Unlock an Apple Watch with Water Lock

iPhone Life
Discover your iPhone's hidden features
Get a daily tip (with screenshots and clear instructions) so you can master your iPhone in just one minute a day.

How to Unlock an Apple Watch with an iPhone

Let's learn how to unlock an Apple Watch with an iPhone. By the way, you can also unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch, even when wearing a mask! For more tips about how to unlock your Apple devices, check out our free Tip of the Day.

  1. Open the Watch app.
  2. In the My Watch tab, scroll until you see Passcode and tap.


     
  3. Toggle Unlock with iPhone on. When it is on, the toggle will be to the right and the bar will be green.
  4. Enter the Apple Watch passcode on your Apple Watch screen.

Once this is set up, your Apple Watch will be unlocked every time you unlock your iPhone. They do need to be within Bluetooth range of each other for this function to work. Next, learn how to unlock your iPhone with your watch, plus what to do to fix unlock your Apple Watch problems or if your watch won't update.

Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.

Topics

How-To
Apple Watch
Smartwatches & Fitness Trackers
Privacy & Security

Author Details

Amy Spitzfaden Both's picture

Author Details

Amy Spitzfaden Both

Amy Spitzfaden-Both is the Managing Editor for iPhone Life magazine and an award-winning novelist, with over 10 years of experience in the publishing industry. She specializes in Apple news and rumors, health and fitness tech, and parenting in the digital age. She graduated from MIU with a BA in Literature and Writing.
Amy lives in New Hampshire with her husband and daughter. When she’s not writing or glued to her iPhone, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and creating her own tea blends.