iPad Is it possible for iPad to get “Unlock with Apple Watch”?

[KittyKatta]

Is there a technical reason why “Unlock with Apple Watch” would not work for iPad?


“Unlock with Apple Watch” on iPhone works so much better than expected. Not only does it allow iPhone unlock when masked, it seems to work well on maskless situations where you are just off-angle (no more playing peek-a-boo its laying flat on the table). So I’m wondering if the Apple Watch unlocks my Macs and my iPhone, then why not my iPad?

 

[dandrewk]

It's a nice feature, very convenient, but it does raise some privacy/security issues. Anyone who wants access to your iPhone/iPad only need to be within range of the watch. You could be asleep on the couch, have your back turned or otherwise distracted, and may not notice your watch buzzing that it just unlocked your device.

It's an option, I know, but it's something to be aware of.

 

[AutomaticApple]

It's a nice feature, very convenient, but it does raise some privacy/security issues. Anyone who wants access to your iPhone/iPad only need to be within range of the watch. You could be asleep on the couch, have your back turned or otherwise distracted, and may not notice your watch buzzing that it just unlocked your device.

It's an option, I know, but it's something to be aware of.

It's not worth the effort to break into somebody's house, hope that they're asleep on a couch, and attempt to unlock their iPad while somehow knowing that they had an Apple Watch capable of unlocking the iPad. Trust me, I would know.

 

[dandrewk]

It's not worth the effort to break into somebody's house, hope that they're asleep on a couch, and attempt to unlock their iPad while somehow knowing that they had an Apple Watch capable of unlocking the iPad. Trust me, I would know.

Sure, if that obscure purpose was the only way to exploit this, it would seem like a non-issue. How about e.g. a spouse/family member wanting to search for embarrassing details... or a thief snatching a pre-occupied user's phone at a public spot... or law enforcement checking an iPhone's recent history without first getting a court order. There are other examples.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Sure, if that obscure purpose was the only way to exploit this, it would seem like a non-issue. How about e.g. a spouse/family member wanting to search for embarrassing details... or a thief snatching a pre-occupied user's phone at a public spot... or law enforcement checking an iPhone's recent history without first getting a court order. There are other examples.

Thankfully, real life isn't like a drama show.

 

[haruhiko]

There is a button “lock iPhone” on your Apple Watch in case the iPhone is unlocked by the Watch. You can lock it again and it will disable Face ID. A passcode will be needed to unlock your phone.

 

[dandrewk]

Thankfully, real life isn't like a drama show.

Agree with you there. Personally, I have nothing to hide and am not as paranoid as some folks are about personal privacy and iPhone security. But there are such people. There has been a lot of press about law enforcement using different tricks to unlock phones. Your iPhone is essentially always unlocked if you are using your watch.

 

[GSWForever8]

I think the iPad should gain the ability for that. Hopefully in iPadOS 15! You can always lock your iPhone via your Apple Watch, too.

 

[Wackery]

maybe covid19 will force apple to allow you to pair your apple watch with your ipad, lol

 

[AutomaticApple]

Your iPhone is essentially always unlocked if you are using your watch.

Not if somebody runs away with your iPhone.

 

[KittyKatta]

It's a nice feature, very convenient, but it does raise some privacy/security issues. Anyone who wants access to your iPhone/iPad only need to be within range of the watch. You could be asleep on the couch, have your back turned or otherwise distracted, and may not notice your watch buzzing that it just unlocked your device.

How about e.g. a spouse/family member wanting to search for embarrassing details... or a thief snatching a pre-occupied user's phone at a public spot... or law enforcement checking an iPhone's recent history without first getting a court order.

There has been a lot of press about law enforcement using different tricks to unlock phones. Your iPhone is essentially always unlocked if you are using your watch.

No offense, but have you ever used this feature?

Walking around with your watch on doesnt automatically unlock everything in the room. It requires:
1) Close proximity to the device
2) Device interaction (Mac: Keyboard Wake. IPhone: Eye Contact)

And I guess for the Watch wearing criminals out there then the standard iOS failsafes still exist. Passcode timeout, Passcode Fail Disable or I suppose you could simply remove your watch as soon as you get arrested.

 

[LogicalApex]

Sure, if that obscure purpose was the only way to exploit this, it would seem like a non-issue. How about e.g. a spouse/family member wanting to search for embarrassing details... or a thief snatching a pre-occupied user's phone at a public spot... or law enforcement checking an iPhone's recent history without first getting a court order. There are other examples.

If you set bed time mode or manually activate sleep mode on your watch it will temporarily disable Watch Unlock.