With iOS 14.5, your Apple Watch can unlock your iPhone while you’re wearing a mask. It could be the best new iPhone feature in years.
How to Unlock Your iPhone While Wearing a Mask (Tip: Get an Apple Watch) | WSJ
The iOS 14.5 beta, along with the watchOS 7.4 beta, tweaks FaceID to make it easier to use your phone while wearing a mask. When you wake your iPhone and it detects you’re wearing a mask, it checks your watch, and if you’re wearing one, it unlocks your iPhone. It’s that simple. There are some limitations to improve security, but unlocking is nearly as fast as regular FaceID. It’s not the best solution, but it’s an effective one.
“I think it’s a great feature that combines security and convenience,” Mac and security expert Kirk McElhearn told Lifewire via direct message. “The fact that it only works to unlock the iPhone and can’t be used to buy apps, use Apple Pay, or autofill passwords makes it secure.”
Apple really knocked this one out of the park. In use, you won’t even notice it. Just swipe up or tap your iPhone’s screen and it will unlock. Your Apple Watch will give you a little haptic tap and an on-screen alert will tell you that your iPhone is unlocked. It’s similar to having your Apple Watch automatically unlock your Mac.
