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Why can't Apple Watch unlock the iPhone?

mavis

mavis

macrumors 601
Original poster
Jul 30, 2007
4,772
1,559
Tokyo, Japan
Once the Apple Watch is unlocked (whether by passcode or by iPhone unlocking, if you have that option enabled) it can be used to unlock a Mac, and for Apple Pay, without further authentication. Clearly both Apple and consumers are comfortable with the level of security this provides, but if that's the case, why can't the AW also unlock a paired iPhone within a certain proximity (just like it can with a Mac)?
 
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I'm sure it's possible. This feature exists on all my Samsung phones. As long as the phone is connected to a bluetooth device, it will remain unlocked.
 
mavis said:
Once the Apple Watch is unlocked (whether by passcode or by iPhone unlocking, if you have that option enabled) it can be used to unlock a Mac, and for Apple Pay, without further authentication. Clearly both Apple and consumers are comfortable with the level of security this provides, but if that's the case, why can't the AW also unlock a paired iPhone within a certain proximity (just like it can with a Mac)?
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Security ... just raising your wrist to look at the time would mean a iphone laying on a desk close by just unlocked. That does not seem secure to me at all. The reverse iPhone unlocking your watch makes sense cause your watch is on you. The reverse would mean your phone is not on you
 
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acctman said:
Security ... just raising your wrist to look at the time would mean a iphone laying on a desk close by just unlocked. That does not seem secure to me at all. The reverse iPhone unlocking your watch makes sense cause your watch is on you. The reverse would mean your phone is not on you
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Yes, this ^^^^^

It also helps describe why I think it doesn't make sense for Android's option to have a phone unlock automatically while it's in a "trusted location". If I leave my phone at my desk at work when walk away to do something, I don't want it to be unlocked just because it's at my desk. Keep it locked unless I pick it up and unlock it.

Besides, with TouchID and FaceID, unlocking is so painless and quick that I don't see any advantage to having the watch unlock it for me.
 
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If they made it so it has to be really close, to the point where you are using it with the same hand you wear your watch, then it would be secure.
 
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BarracksSi said:
Yes, this ^^^^^

It also helps describe why I think it doesn't make sense for Android's option to have a phone unlock automatically while it's in a "trusted location". If I leave my phone at my desk at work when walk away to do something, I don't want it to be unlocked just because it's at my desk. Keep it locked unless I pick it up and unlock it.

Besides, with TouchID and FaceID, unlocking is so painless and quick that I don't see any advantage to having the watch unlock it for me.
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In that case, you simply wouldn't add your work location as a trusted one so it wouldn't do that...

Trusted locations should be just that - locations where you want your phone unlocked all the time because it's safe.
 
Phil A. said:
In that case, you simply wouldn't add your work location as a trusted one so it wouldn't do that...

Trusted locations should be just that - locations where you want your phone unlocked all the time because it's safe.
Click to expand...

Then I’m right back to having it locked all the time because the only location I’d truly trust (most of the time) is at home.
 
acctman said:
Security ... just raising your wrist to look at the time would mean a iphone laying on a desk close by just unlocked. That does not seem secure to me at all. The reverse iPhone unlocking your watch makes sense cause your watch is on you. The reverse would mean your phone is not on you
Click to expand...

That's not how it works, as long as you've linked your Apple Watch and your Mac to the same Apple account, and you're wearing your watch (i.e. it's unlocked) then your Mac will unlock without needing to type in the password. You don't need to do anything with your watch, not even raise your wrist, for this to happen. He's asking why the same thing can't happen with your phone. And apparently it can't, I've looked into it as well.
 
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skipsey said:
That's not how it works, as long as you've linked your Apple Watch and your Mac to the same Apple account, and you're wearing your watch (i.e. it's unlocked) then your Mac will unlock without needing to type in the password. You don't need to do anything with your watch, not even raise your wrist, for this to happen. He's asking why the same thing can't happen with your phone. And apparently it can't, I've looked into it as well.
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And contrary to the belief of the naysayers, this should be an option. There is no difference in the security risk of a phone being auto-unlocked when the watch is in proximity than a Mac. And if you are in the tin-foil hat club, auto unlocking with the watch can be disabled.
 
Phil A. said:
In that case, you simply wouldn't add your work location as a trusted one so it wouldn't do that...

Trusted locations should be just that - locations where you want your phone unlocked all the time because it's safe.
Click to expand...

By that logic, is there anywhere can truly be “trust location”? Even at home, my wife could ... you know. (or my kids could play with it and accidentally delete something)

BarracksSi said:
Then I’m right back to having it locked all the time because the only location I’d truly trust (most of the time) is at home.
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See above. :)
[doublepost=1537065261][/doublepost]
Scary Spice said:
And contrary to the belief of the naysayers, this should be an option. There is no difference in the security risk of a phone being auto-unlocked when the watch is in proximity than a Mac. And if you are in the tin-foil hat club, auto unlocking with the watch can be disabled.
Click to expand...

Phone unlocking is a split of a second. With FaceID you could say there is no unlocking process involved even. It’s just unnecessary to waste time and resource to ensure the combination works really well. It’s not that helpful unlike unlocking a Mac without a TouchID. We shouldn’t have options for a million things.
Beside, someone could grab your phone while you’re sitting close to it. Ain’t worth it.
 
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matrix07 said:
By that logic, is there anywhere can truly be “trust location”? Even at home, my wife could ... you know. (or my kids could play with it and accidentally delete something)
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There's nothing on my phone I wouldn't want my wife to see and she knows the passcode anyway (as I do hers). My daughter is no longer a child and is at university so there's no worries on that score. For me, home really is a trusted location :)
 
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Scary Spice said:
There is no difference in the security risk of a phone being auto-unlocked when the watch is in proximity than a Mac.
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I think there are two significant differences in terms of overall risk profile, and that is what matters here:
  1. If someone grabs your unlocked MBP (or iMac!) whilst you are out and about you are more likely to notice than if someone palms your open iPhone
  2. You carry your iPhone almost all the time, so it would be vulnerable whilst you are just walking around, whilst you are more likely to be actively using your Mac when in close proximity and it is unlocked.
So, the iPhone would be open more of the time, more easy to steal whilst in this unlocked state, and more easy for people to use surreptitiously whilst unlocked.

A much higher risk profile.
 
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danmart said:
I think there are two significant differences in terms of overall risk profile, and that is what matters here:
  1. If someone grabs your unlocked MBP (or iMac!) whilst you are out and about you are more likely to notice than if someone palms your open iPhone
  2. You carry your iPhone almost all the time, so it would be vulnerable whilst you are just walking around, whilst you are more likely to be actively using your Mac when in close proximity and it is unlocked.
So, the iPhone would be open more of the time, more easy to steal whilst in this unlocked state, and more easy for people to use surreptitiously whilst unlocked.

A much higher risk profile.
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And not all of us live in places where we have to give things like this that much thought. As has been pointed out several times, this function could be disabled for the 'tin-foil hat club' or for those who live in areas where petty theft is such an issue.
 
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This is one feature I thought I’d miss going from Samsung/S3 to iPhone/Apple Watch but I didn’t really. That said, I did love it when I had it and didn’t see an issue if using due care. Very useful case for this is on a motorcycle with a phone mount.

How about a button in the Watch control center that instantly locks your iPhone remotely in case you wander away?
 
mavis said:
And not all of us live in places where we have to give things like this that much thought. As has been pointed out several times, this function could be disabled for the 'tin-foil hat club' or for those who live in areas where petty theft is such an issue.
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That is irrelevant. @Scary Spice said they couldn’t see the difference in risk, I have pointed out two differences.
 
tobefirst said:
Can anyone tell me why my phone can unlock my watch and my watch can unlock my Mac, but my phone can’t unlock my Mac?
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The watch is authenticated and on your wrist, and it actually uses proximity to your Mac in order to unlock so it's you unlocking it.

Your phone on the other hand doesn't do that kind of proximity handshake (and I'm not sure if it can). You don't want to be looking at your phone in another room and have your computer unlock. Even if it can do that hand shake you'd be looking at your phone while its super close to your computer and trying to open the lid, it's just not that practical.
 
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