iOS 15.1 Beta 2 Fixes Bug Preventing iPhone 13 Users From Unlocking With Apple Watch When Masked

[MacRumors]

Apple today seeded the second beta of iOS 15.1 to developers, and the update includes a fix for an annoying bug that's been affecting iPhone 13 owners who also have an Apple Watch.

With beta 2, the Unlock with Apple Watch feature that was broken has been fixed, and an authenticated Apple Watch can once again be used to unlock an iPhone 13 model when wearing a mask.

Prior to the update, attempting to enable the Unlock with Apple Watch feature under Settings > Face ID & Passcode would result in an error that said the iPhone was unable to communicate with the Apple Watch. That error message has now been addressed, and the feature can be successfully toggled on after updating to iOS 15.1 beta 2.

Apple in a support document promised that a fix for the issue would be coming in a future update, and it appears that update may be iOS 15.1. It's not clear if we'll also see an iOS 15.0.1 update that has a fix, as it could still be several weeks before iOS 15.1 sees a public release.


Article Link: iOS 15.1 Beta 2 Fixes Bug Preventing iPhone 13 Users From Unlocking With Apple Watch When Masked

 

[Think|Different]

So…the fix will be weeks away or they’re really gonna push this through fast?

 

[BreakingKayfabe]

So…the fix will be weeks away or they’re really gonna push this through fast?

I'm sure it'll come to 15.0.1 for the non-beta runners. I would assume this week.

 

[macrlz9]

Hmm unlock with Apple Watch has been working fine on my 13 Pro. I wonder why only some are affected.

 

[Autochthon]

So is this bug specific to the 13 and not the 13Pro?

 

[JFK1979]

So is this bug specific to the 13 and not the 13Pro?

Ive had it on the pro max so i think its the whole line

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Ahhh! Fix is few weeks away

 

[lucasrant]

Do I need to install the beta on the Apple Watch as well?

 

[applefanboysince93]

Do I need to install the beta on the Apple Watch as well?

I doubt it because the phone unlocks the watch without issue…

 

[Mr. Awesome]

Yes! Baby Yoda mask is back!

 

[applefanboysince93]

Just when I thought I was done with betas for another year… ah F it here goes…

 

[macduke]

They really need to push this through ASAP through a smaller update. Not sure why they wouldn't be able to pull that git branch as a patch into 15.0 and push it out there.

Love the timing of this, with my first vacation since before the pandemic starting on Saturday, I'm going to be in and out of a couple airports towing luggage and children and was going to be using this a ton. Probably not gonna travel on beta software.

 

[architect1337]

Just don't wear a mask... sorted. If you are flying, you'll have to pull it down - but no biggie.

 

[Populus]

And those of us who don’t have an Apple Watch? When is Apple going to solve the unlocking issue on the latest iPhones for us?

EDIT: Grammar and spelling.

 

[Getintothegame]

I assume that a patch is probably coming ASAP to address this issue. I doubt they'll wait until 15.1.

 

[aesc80]

Just don't wear a mask... sorted. If you are flying, you'll have to pull it down - but no biggie.

Or keep the mask on, and punch in your code / password. Beats getting attention on the plane, and ending up on a no flight list, even though it's a wee bit overboard.

 

[applefanboysince93]

And those of us who doesn’t have an Apple Watch? When is Apple going to solve the unlocking of the latest iPhones for us?

Would have been grand if they could figure out Touch ID on the power button like the iPads…

 

[cmaier]

I assume that a patch is probably coming ASAP to address this issue. I doubt they'll wait until 15.1.

Correct. Stay tuned.

 

[aesc80]

Would have been grand if they could figure out Touch ID on the power button like the iPads…

Someone downvoted Touch ID?!?! That's ... wow

 

[applefanboysince93]

Someone downvoted Touch ID?!?! That's ... wow

Right? Even though the Apple Watch unlock is pretty good it doesn’t work maybe 20% of the time for me… having Touch ID as a backup would be great

 

[justperry]

Or keep the mask on, and punch in your code / password. Beats getting attention on the plane, and ending up on a no flight list, even though it's a wee bit overboard.

Yup, convenient when a (my) password is 16 alphanumeric characters long.

 

[metalsiren]

yea the bugs on IOS 15 Watch OS 8 cant wait until 15.1 or 8.1 they need fixes sooner than that.

 

[aesc80]

Yup, convenient when a (my) password is 16 alphanumeric characters long.

Your's is ONLY 16 alphanumeric characters long? That bank account is totally easily accessible!!! lol

But seriously, I also use a password locker with a password combination that's not that insane, still long enough, and pretty much been ingrained to the point of muscle memory. It's not so hard.

 

[Grubster]

I have same issue, won't unlock iPhone 13 Pro using my Series 4 Watch. Tried a few times just to be sure when I was out today.

 

[aesc80]

Right? Even though the Apple Watch unlock is pretty good it doesn’t work maybe 20% of the time for me… having Touch ID as a backup would be great

Or they're just bots / haters who will downvote anything. I'm pretty sure by the time you see this, the same person will have downvoted me to, but I digress ...