A bug in iOS 14.7 prevents iPhones with Touch ID to automatically unlock Apple Watch

Apple WatchiOSiPhone

Apple recently released iOS 14.7, iPadOS 14.7, tvOS 14.7, watchOS, 7.6, and macOS Big Sur 11.5, and users have reported an issue of unlocking the Apple Watch via their iPhones. It was found that a bug in iOS 14.7 is preventing users from unlocking their Apple Watch with their Touch ID iPhones.

Apple has acknowledged that a bug is present and is trying to work on a temporary workaround. The alternative for a user is to manually type in their passcode into their Apple Watch to unlock it rather than relying on their iPhone. The tech giant says that the issue will be fixed in a future software update.

iOS 14.7 and iPadOS 14.7

Apple advises using passcode for iOS 14.7 bug preventing iPhones to unlock Apple Watch

On its support document, the company acknowledged the bug and advised users to manually unlock their smartwatches via passcode. Users who do not remember their passcodes will be required to reset their Apple Watch. The enterprise users whose iPhones are filled with MDM profiles that require alphanumeric passcodes will have to work with their MDM administrators to remove the passcode requirement and then unpair, erase, and then set up their Apple Watches again.

When you have Unlock with iPhone turned on, unlocking your iPhone unlocks your Apple Watch as long as you’re wearing it. An issue in iOS 14.7 affects the ability of iPhone models with Touch ID to unlock Apple Watch.

If you experience this issue, just type the passcode directly on your Apple Watch to unlock it. This is required only one time, as long as you keep your Apple Watch on your wrist. If you forgot your passcode, you need to reset your Apple Watch.

Touch ID

According to Apple, the issue will be resolved in a future software update, but it may be a small bug fix update rather than a significant update with beta testing. For now, the updates most contain under-the-hood bug fixes and performance improvements, and likely security fixes that have not been disclosed.

Have you experienced this issue with your iPhone and Apple Watch? Let us know in the comments below.

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About the Author

Usman has been playing games for as long as he can remember. He is an editor at iThinkDifferent and writes about games, Apple news, hardware, productivity guides, and more. When not writing for iTD, Usman loves to play competitive Team Fortress 2, spends time honing his football skills, and watches superhero movies.

1 comment

  1. Pingback: Apple releases iOS 14.7.1 with fix for Apple Watch unlock issue

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