Today, Apple released the third public beta version of watchOS 7.4 for testers. This update is only one day past the launch of the beta 3 of the watchOS 7.4 developer preview. The watchOS 7.4 brings the Apple Watch Unlock function. Users can unlock iPhone through Apple Watch while wearing a mask. It should be noted that the iPhone also needs to be equipped with the latest iOS 14.5 system.
Users can download the watchOS 7 Beta description file through the App-Discover-Apple Profile, and download and update the watchOS 7.4 beta version through the Apple Watch app on the iPhone.
iPhone Face ID will work with a mask only if you wear an Apple Watch
For about three years, Face ID has been the only option for biometric identification on iPhones. Nobody envisaged that there will be a time when we will have to cover our faces with a mask. Well, this is our today reality and it is a huge issue for Face ID. If the sensor can not clearly capture the face, the phone can not unlock. This means that users will have to put in their passwords as many times as they need to unlock their phones. Of course, for people who have been unlocking their phones by simply looking at them, inputting passwords from time to time will not be convenient. According to a recent report, Apple is working to overcome this issue with its upcoming iOS 14.5 update.
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The company seeks to make it easy to unlock your phone but this solution needs an Apple Watch. The report from Pocket-lint shows that users can use the Apple Watch to quickly authenticate and unlock the iPhone. The beta version of the new iOS 14.5 update which brings this support is already available.
How does it work?
If you activate Apple Watch unlock, you can unlock your iPhone by simply lifting your iPhone to turn on the screen. Once you lift the phone towards your face, there will be a haptic feedback on your Apple Watch. This vibration on the Watch signifies that the phone is now open for use. However, it is important to note that the phone and watch must be in close proximity. It’s better to lift the phone with the same hand as the watch for easy unlocking. However, this feature is only for unlocking the iPhone and nothing else. If you need to access App Store and iTunes purchases, you will still need a more secure authentification. Furthermore, the security check password entry is still required even if this feature is active.
We do not expect this feature to be seamless. It may require testing and consistent usage for users to get used to it. iOS 14.5 also includes the app tracking transparency controls (and permission pop-ups). Many companies are not happy about this inclusion.
