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‘Press and hold crown to unlock’ feels really slow? (WatchOS 9)

BraXzy

BraXzy

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 15, 2022
35
82
Maybe it’s just me, but since updating to Watch OS 9, I’ve been really frustrated by the new method to unlock the watch from sleep / water lock etc.

Previously you turned the crown a certain amount and it unlocked the Watch. You could spin the crown super fast and be in pretty much instantly.

Now however you have to press and hold for a long moment… can the method to unlock be tweaked? Or the length of time to hold down adjusted? It feels so much more clunky now.
 
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BraXzy said:
Maybe it’s just me, but since updating to Watch OS 9, I’ve been really frustrated by the new method to unlock the watch from sleep / water lock etc.

Previously you turned the crown a certain amount and it unlocked the Watch. You could spin the crown super fast and be in pretty much instantly.

Now however you have to press and hold for a long moment… can the method to unlock be tweaked? Or the length of time to hold down adjusted? It feels so much more clunky now.
Click to expand...
I just noticed that. It does seem weird.

Just as a tip in case you didn't know you can set your iPhone to automatically unlock the watch. This won't save you from dealing with the water unlock though.
 
Rodan52 said:
How do you do that?
Click to expand...
Open the Watch app and then go to Passcode then turn on Unlock with iPhone.

Sometimes it’s not immediate so if you just put your watch on and then try to unlock your iPhone it may not work but when you put your watch on and then may be a minute later unlock your iPhone it will also unlock your watch. I hate punching in that four digit code on my watch every time so this is helpful
 
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Yea, I do this multiple times after the shower to expel water and still getting used to it after 5 days. I guess future crowns won’t turn anymore, that’s my guess.
I liked the old way better
 
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russell_314 said:
Open the Watch app and then go to Passcode then turn on Unlock with iPhone.

Sometimes it’s not immediate so if you just put your watch on and then try to unlock your iPhone it may not work but when you put your watch on and then may be a minute later unlock your iPhone it will also unlock your watch. I hate punching in that four digit code on my watch every time so this is helpful
Click to expand...
I try to use this but it seems it’s only valid when the iPhone is already unlocked?
 
jz0309 said:
Yea, I do this multiple times after the shower to expel water and still getting used to it after 5 days. I guess future crowns won’t turn anymore, that’s my guess.
I liked the old way better
Click to expand...
I agree the old way was better, as OP put it turning the crown just a “certain amount“ was much easier and faster, after getting used to it. I hope the new way gets easier with time, for now it’s still slower and more annoying.
 
ndouglas said:
I try to use this but it seems it’s only valid when the iPhone is already unlocked?
Click to expand...
It unlocks your watch when you unlock your iPhone. The setting is in the Watch app on the iPhone so of course you have to have the iPhone unlocked to change it.
 
Not so much this feature, but I feel like battery is draining awfully fast on my Hermes Series 7. And I don't like it.
 
carbphrek said:
I really like the hold crown function over spin the crown, either my crown is super tight or my fingers are slick. I have a horrible time time trying to turn the crown.
Click to expand...
I’m not against the change of method as such, just the time it takes. Ideally there would be a setting to choose how long you had to hold it.
 
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BraXzy said:
I’m not against the change of method as such, just the time it takes. Ideally there would be a setting to choose how long you had to hold it.
Click to expand...
I thought too it was a bit long but then I think of the times I get my hand/wrist lodged between the seats of my car. I’ve had to turn off sos because somehow I press the buttons to fire off a distress. I’m special like that. 😬
 
Is there a way to switch it back to the old way? I keep accidentally unlocking it and ending my exercise, during my exercise
 
I don't know why Apple decided to change the unlock/water by having you long press the watch crown, when the old method worked just fine and is arguably better. The only logical reason I've come up with is perhaps Apple changed it for accessibility reasons?
 
Rodan52 said:
How can you "accidentally" unlock it if it takes such a long press? Anyway, I think the answer to your question is no, it's a part of the operating system not covered by System preferences.
Click to expand...
I do kick boxing, and the hand wraps can push on the crown. I never had any problems with it before iOS 9, I wish Apple would just give me the option on how I want to unlock it,
 
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jcshas said:
I don't know why Apple decided to change the unlock/water by having you long press the watch crown, when the old method worked just fine and is arguably better. The only logical reason I've come up with is perhaps Apple changed it for accessibility reasons?
Click to expand...

it has to do with the changes made to the workout app. before WatchOS 9 the workout app required you to swipe on the screen to move between "pages" of data. in WatchOS 9 they decided to add even more available pages of data AND for the first time make it useable if you have the screen locked (unable to swipe due to sweat, swimming etc.) by rotating the crown up and down to move between the pages. because the crown rotation now controls moving between data pages it could no longer be used as a method to remove the water lock so they had to create a new method... and that is the push and hold we have today.
 
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Agree that it takes to long for pushing to unlock the phone from sleep. It could be shortened by half.
 
The new way is more convenient in that you’re just holding the button down but the old was was much faster.

I’m just thankful it isn’t a dual action hold down and spin. I’d just leave my watch water locked for eternity in that case.
 
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