iWatch Not Unlocking iPhone

Found this in a Reddit post from a year ago:

“Had the same problem and was looking for a solution.

Looked into the settings but the option to unlock iPhone with Apple Watch under Faceld and passcode was not there. I've disabled stolen device protection and magically this setting reappeared and was turned off. I re-enabled it and reenabled stolen protection and it seems that it's working again now.”

I did this and it worked. But, only that one time. Back to the iWatch no longer unlocking my iPhone. 😢

Did you already try to set up an additional appearance for FaceID, as described in this related article?

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To set up an additional appearance for Face ID to recognize, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Set Up an Alternate Appearance, then follow the onscreen instructions.

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copied from: Set up Face ID on iPhone - Apple Support

Everybody having this issue should let Apple know directly about it by using the Feedback link, as this is the only way to reach them.

Feedback - Apple Watch - Apple

It works the other way around at least, so it must be software related either watchOS or iOS 27

I also tried to disable and enable Wrist detection again on the watch and restarted the device, no change.

Hi Dasmna! No, the title is not poorly worded. It is accurate. The iWatch can and should unlock your iPhone is Face ID isn’t recognizable and the two devices are near one another, i.e., holding the phone in your left hand and your watch is on your left wrist.

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode. Two-thirds down, you will see “Unlock with Nearby Devices.” My toggle is on for my Apple Watch, indicating that the Watch should unlock my Phone. It’s not. When I went into the Apple Store, the first sales associate I spoke with, didn’t even know about that feature.

Looks like ths post may have a poorly worded title.

I too have an issue with my iPhone not unlocking the apple watch. This is what I experience since upgrading it to WatchOS 27....

Apple Watch is locked. Whether first time putting it on. Or how it gets locks sometimes throughout the day.

I unlock iPhone (via FaceID) and get no idication that it has or is unlocking the watch,

If I go into Apple Watch app on iPhone and go to Passcode. It spins in the top right corner until it errors out with "Could not communicate with watch"

Only thing I can do is reboot the watch. That will correct the issue for a day and it will then begin again the next day.

iPhone 18 ProMax (upgraded from iPhone 17 via iCloud back up)

Apple Watch Ultra 3 (I even unpaired/wiped this watch and set up as new device. No restore from back up. Same issue)

Performance is super FLAKY on watch since watchOS27. Hope they fix it.

No problem! It was a super convenient feature, especially when I’m out on a walk/run and I want to unlock my phone. I have to slow down and pull off my sunglasses, and have the phone recognize me via Face ID.

As far as your issue, in reverse, I’ve always had spotty success, in that regard. I can only count a handful of times when I would get a notification that my watch was unlocked by my phone. It wasn’t an issue as much because the only time I’d have to unlock it was after charging. So, once a day, didn’t really bother me. But, you’re right that is an issue, also.

I found out why I’ve been having spotty success with my phone unlocking my watch. Went down the ChatGPT rabbit hole and found out that to unlock the watch, your phone first needs to be locked first.  When you unlock your phone, then your watch will automatically unlock and you will get a display message, to that effect.  

Yes. The problem isn’t Face ID, the problem is the iWatch not unlocking the phone. Thanks for the reply!

Well I am another who never knew that was an option. Just saw it. Thanks. So wonder if your issue and mine (which seems to the same just in reverse) are related?