You might get your wish with Apple intelligence when they start rolling that out. I more often have my phone or watch that the key, so voice commands would be great for remote start, locking, etc
.. this is early June info.. will have to wait and see what iOS 18 brings
If your Apple Watch has the heart rate sensor, it only asks for the passcode if it's been more than 24hr after you're wearing it, or if the device has been removed from your wrist since last use. You can also set your watch to unlock the watch from the phone if you're wearing the watch locked and you unlock your phone. (Similarly, vice versa, you can set your watch with passcode entered/validated without taking off wrist/more than 24hr since last passcode entry to unlock your phone if Face/Touch ID fails.)
Oh man thanks for the tip! I will have to give this a try. If it only requires a code if it’s been >24hr since you’ve been wearing it or removed from your wrist (like to charge) then that’s hardly too intrusive. I also didn’t think about having it do it when you unlock your phone.
To unlock the phone with the watch: Unlock your iPhone with Apple WatchOh man thanks for the tip! I will have to give this a try. If it only requires a code if it’s been >24hr since you’ve been wearing it or removed from your wrist (like to charge) then that’s hardly too intrusive. I also didn’t think about having it do it when you unlock your phone.
As you can tell I’m also old enough to not have used Apple Pay with the watch. I’m not even sure how that works. I’m kinda this guy…
Thanks for the lessons!! This should be quite easy then as I already have my card setup for Apple Pay since it’s rather convenient online. Everywhere here is contactless tap to pay. I will definitely have to give this a try!To unlock the phone with the watch: Unlock your iPhone with Apple Watch
Other way: Lock or unlock Apple Watch
Using Apple Pay: How to use Apple Pay on your Apple Watch | Apple Support
The first two are one time settings changes.
Using Apple Pay on the watch is extremely easy. Once you've added at least one credit/debit card, you can double tap the side button (not the crown) and if your watch is unlocked, it will immediately go to your default card in Apple Wallet. If you want to pick a card that isn't your default, you can scroll up and down with your finger on the watch display, or by rotating the crown (the crown is wayyyy easier). Hold up your watch to wherever you see this logo on the credit card reader, display facing the reader (although usually holding it at a 90 degree [perpindicular] angle to the logo is sufficient)
On most credit card PIN pads, it's on the screen:
But some do it separately. The Ingenico Lane 8000, it's in the bottom left corner:
You don't have to memorize credit card PINpad designs though, you just have to look for the contactless payment logo.
You'll get a beep from both the reader and your watch when it goes through; if you have sound turned off on your watch, you'll still get a gentle tap vibration to confirm it went through.
Really easy, especially when you're in a checkout lane and loading items onto a belt or bagging them to double tap the button, hold to reader, done. The phone is pretty easy, but the perk of the watch is you don't have to take it out of your pocket or bag.
In terms of US holdouts on contactless, the largest ones of notes are Walmart US (overseas they take contactless with physical cards and digital wallets like Apple Pay) and Home Depot. (Lowes was a longtime holdout, but they started taking Apple Pay in late 2023)
See this post for more info…
