For the life of me I can’t figure out why this feature is not working for me. I tried it with Bluetooth on, WiFi on, both on, the feature in the setting is turned on as well but it just doesn’t work. I saw it working once when I updated iOS and watch OS just recently, but the next day it’s broken again. Anyone know the key points I need to be checking? Why would it work one day and stops the next day? Does passcode need to match with iPhone? The watch is connected via Bluetooth but discover new device is turned off so the Bluetooth icon doesn’t show, does that matter?
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Unable to unlock watch with iPhone
- Thread starter Corgirat
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[doublepost=1523616324][/doublepost]There is also a setting on the watch that is tied to the phone. curious if its on
Settings> passcode> unlock
Thanks. I went into settings on watch and it was turned off even though it is on on watch app on iPhone.. so I turned it on on the watch as well and tested, still not working.
[doublepost=1523621957][/doublepost]Anyone experienced this feature working when you first restore OS but it stops working shortly after like next day??
No it’s not. Do I have to be seeing that Bluetooth icon on the screen? I turn off Bluetooth to discover new devices, but iPhone setting says my watch is connected via Bluetooth and receive notifications just fine as well.
Given the fact that you only need to enter the passcode once when you put it on the effort it takes to get this set up and then pick up your phone after putting on your watch makes it seem like more trouble than it is worth.
You are absolutely right about that
but it seems like it’s working for majority of people so I wanted mine to work too.
You are absolutely right about that
Agreed. I may not use all features, but I insist they work.
Edit: Thanks to klymr below - I've been proven wrong --- you can unlock it even at the pin request. Just let it sit a few more seconds.
It works for me this way -- you just can't have the watch sitting at the pin request when you do it. I found this out the hard way. Also the watch needs to be ON with the screen on (locked).
Have the watch sitting on the watch face screen, then while the watch is ON, unlock your phone with your touch ID, then boom, the lock symbol will go away on your watch.
Works 99.9% of the times - it has not worked once or twice and won't work if the watch is on the pin request screen or screen is off.
So I make it a habit now when I put on my watch - keep it at my face and on, then reach over and unlock my phone. Poof done.
Hope this helps!
It works for me this way -- you just can't have the watch sitting at the pin request when you do it. I found this out the hard way. Also the watch needs to be ON with the screen on (locked).
Have the watch sitting on the watch face screen, then while the watch is ON, unlock your phone with your touch ID, then boom, the lock symbol will go away on your watch.
Works 99.9% of the times - it has not worked once or twice and won't work if the watch is on the pin request screen or screen is off.
So I make it a habit now when I put on my watch - keep it at my face and on, then reach over and unlock my phone. Poof done.
Hope this helps!
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It works for me this way -- you just can't have the watch sitting at the pin request when you do it. I found this out the hard way. Also the watch needs to be ON with the screen on (locked).
Have the watch sitting on the watch face screen, then while the watch is ON, unlock your phone with your touch ID, then boom, the lock symbol will go away on your watch.
Works 99.9% of the times - it has not worked once or twice and won't work if the watch is on the pin request screen or screen is off.
So I make it a habit now when I put on my watch - keep it at my face and on, then reach over and unlock my phone. Poof done.
Hope this helps!
Just tested my Series 2 both ways you described, with the pin request screen up as well as with the screen completely off. Unlocking my iPhone unlocked my Apple Watch in both cases.
You're right, it does. It just takes a bit longer. I just took off my watch, got it on the pin screen, then lifted up my phone - took 3+ seconds but then it unlocked the watch.
You're right. Thanks for that info!
i'm pretty sure the watch needs to be on your wrist for it to unlock
also if nothing else works, you could try unpairing and re-paring the watch.
you can restore from backup, so you won't loose anything but the hour or so of time it takes to restore (you might loose activity data since the last backup, if that's important to you, make sure you backup before you un-pair it)
also if nothing else works, you could try unpairing and re-paring the watch.
you can restore from backup, so you won't loose anything but the hour or so of time it takes to restore (you might loose activity data since the last backup, if that's important to you, make sure you backup before you un-pair it)
I’ll try re-pairing the watch and will try to get that pin screen up. As of now nothing seems to fix it. I’m hoping re-pairing will do.
[doublepost=1523675117][/doublepost]I wonder if it has something to do with unpairing gives error message 100% of times. It always says the unpairing was unsuccessful but the watch does erase itself though. Watch app on iPhone always show the initial pair the watch screen. It just never fails to give me that unpairing was unsuccessful message.
[doublepost=1523675117][/doublepost]I wonder if it has something to do with unpairing gives error message 100% of times. It always says the unpairing was unsuccessful but the watch does erase itself though. Watch app on iPhone always show the initial pair the watch screen. It just never fails to give me that unpairing was unsuccessful message.
What type of issue? Should I go to Apple to show it? Do you mean issues came with the watch or connection with my phone??
[doublepost=1523730114][/doublepost]I’m not sure but it has to do with the theater mode. I re-paired the device, the theater mode is off by default and unlock with iPhone works with no problem. Then I turn on the theater mode because I always have it on, then unlock with iPhone stops working.
Can someone test this to confirm? Or is it already known this feature doesn’t work with theater mode??
Thanks for trying
[doublepost=1523745135][/doublepost]
Mine is s1 with iPhone 6s Plus, latest os on both.. at least I made it work with theater mode off. It put me through numerous resets, reboots and came down with this discovery.
I also tried setting my Series 2 in Theater Mode and taking it off to lock it, then putting it back on. My iPhone 7 unlocked it just fine.
Thank you for trying it. That’s just so strange. I just did another experiment on mine. I didn’t turn on the theatre mode, but went into settings and turned off “raised to wake screen” off. Sure enough the feature stopped working. I don’t know whether it’s only with S1 or connection with 6s plus.. When I have time I’m curious to see what the Apple store will say.
I called Apple support and got an appointment for this weekend. I’ll post an update. Thanks for everyone testing this out!
This is what happened to me when I went to the appointment. 2 reps denied this issue I am having. They even didn’t care to ask me to show them what I’m talking about. I had to rush to get their attention to show them. On top of that, they insisted saying there’s nothing wrong with it. “Theatre mode inactivates unlock with iPhone feature”. At this point I was getting annoyed with them. I told them how some of you here on macrumour helped me by testing your watches. The reps went in the back and came back after a while saying he was able to confirm that my Watch does have an issue. Also I was able to show him how unpairing it from my iPhone gives error message every time.
So he sent it to get repaired and guess what type of response email I got? They weren’t able to duplicate the issue and being sent back without repair.
What am I supposed to think of this now?? I am very upset and will be calling Apple.
Here’s a favor to ask you if anyone has some time to test this one last time. Does “unlock with iPhone” work on your watch even when theatre mode is turned on???
I really appreciate anyone who can help me out so Apple can fix this issue on my watch.
So he sent it to get repaired and guess what type of response email I got? They weren’t able to duplicate the issue and being sent back without repair.
What am I supposed to think of this now?? I am very upset and will be calling Apple.
Here’s a favor to ask you if anyone has some time to test this one last time. Does “unlock with iPhone” work on your watch even when theatre mode is turned on???
I really appreciate anyone who can help me out so Apple can fix this issue on my watch.
Yes, the unlock with iPhone still unlocks my Apple Watch while it is in theater mode. I just tested it three times. It does appear to take a little longer (by a few seconds), but it is still working as I'd expect.
Thank you so much!
[doublepost=1524665561][/doublepost]
Thank you again!
[doublepost=1524665881][/doublepost]
Thank you!! Ok now, my project is how to prove it over the phone and have Apple either fix it or replace it. It has been a hassle and unnecessary frustration and time spent over the phone, at the store, the back on the phone. Please wish me luck to win this battle
and thank you so much everyone for taking your time.