iPhone unlock with apple watch

[deany]

I've read though the spec for iOS 11 and there is no support for unlock iPhone with apple watch.

Baring in mind macOS Sierra allows this, any idea why apple have omitted this worthwhile function?
thanks

 

[andyp350]

I think it’s due to the fact that your watch is generally authenticated and unlocked via your iPhone so it doesn’t really work trying to have it go the other way as well.

 

[deany]

I think it’s due to the fact that your watch is generally authenticated and unlocked via your iPhone so it doesn’t really work trying to have it go the other way as well.

I think the new Samsung Note 8 with their Gear Sport watch via allowing "trusted devices" to unlock is available on android.

 

[andyp350]

I’m not sure I’d want that feature to be honest thinking about it. If being in proximity of my watch causes my phone to unlock then what’s to stop anyone in my office at work picking up my phone and having it unlock due to me and my watch being close by.

 

[deany]

I’m not sure I’d want that feature to be honest thinking about it. If being in proximity of my watch causes my phone to unlock then what’s to stop anyone in my office at work picking up my phone and having it unlock due to me and my watch being close by.

Good point, didn't think of that.....

 

[tgara]

Right, you can unlock the watch by unlocking the paired phone, but not the other way round .

 

[andyp350]

Good point, didn't think of that.....

I hadn’t either until I read your post to be honest! I’m not sure if there could be a viable workaround, if it required any interaction with the watch in order to unlock the phone then it would defeat the purpose as it’d be easier to just unlock the normal way.
Come to think of it I don’t know how/why this isn’t a problem for people who use their MacBooks at work or in public places. Mine rarely leaves my house so I hadn’t thought about it before. Maybe it has to be very close proximity.
[doublepost=1506246439][/doublepost]Maybe that’s why your watch taps you and sends a notification that it was used to unlock the MacBook.