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mv--one
User level: Level 1 (5 points)

Unlock with Apple Watch option missing on iPhone Duo

I'd like to use the Unlock with Nearby Devices feature to unlocked iPhone with my watch but the option is absent in the Touch ID & Passcode settings page.


  • I have an iPhone Duo on iOS 27.2 and a Apple Watch SE3 on WatchOS 27.2.
  • The watch is paired to the phone currently (I can see it in the watch app, change faces, etc).
  • The watch has passcode and wrist detection set.
  • Watch is unlocked and on my wrist.
  • Have restarted both devices.
  • If I search for "Unlock with Nearby Devices" in the settings app, it appears in the search results, but tapping it takes me to the page where it is missing.


I think I've done everything I need to satisfy the conditions, but the option does not appear.

Posted on Oct 29, 2026 5:30 AM

1 reply

WheelieNick
User level: Level 9 (74,110 points)

Nov 1, 2026 7:38 AM in response to mv--one

Hi there


Please try this


  1. Check Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be turned on for both your iPhone Duo and Apple Watch SE3 (they don’t necessarily need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network, but the radios must be active).
  2. Apple ID & Two-Factor Authentication: Ensure both your iPhone and Apple Watch are signed into the exact same Apple ID and that two-factor authentication is enabled for your account.
  3. Check for Profiles or MDM Restrictions: If your iPhone Duo has a corporate, school, or Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile installed, it may disable biometric or watch-unlock features. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management to see if a profile is restricting it. 
  4. Disable and Re-enable Passcode (on Watch): Sometimes the watch passcode state gets bugged. Go to the Watch app on your iPhone or the Settings app on your Apple Watch, turn Off the passcode, restart the watch, and then turn the passcode back On.
  5. Unpair and Re-pair: If the setting still fails to appear on the Touch ID & Passcode page, unpair your Apple Watch via the Apple Watch app on your iPhone (My Watch > All Watches > Info button > Unpair Apple Watch) and set it up again as new or from a fresh backup. 


Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256385257