Unlocking and locking an Apple Watch may seem straightforward, but that’s not always the case. You may have challenges if you just bought your first Apple Watch and are unfamiliar with its workings. There are several ways to secure and unlock the watch. You can always keep it unlocked or set it to lock automatically when it is not on your wrist.
In this article, we show you how to lock Apple Watch, starting with the easiest method. Additionally, we will explore some of the cutting-edge features like wrist detection.
Locking and Unlocking the Watch
Start by securing the Watch with a passcode of your choice, but make sure you don’t forget it.

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If you do not want to use a password or code with the Apple Watch, you can set it so that it turns off automatically after a set time. Another option is to use a Fingerprint or Face ID to lock the device. You may also set the watch so that it automatically locks itself when a set amount of time has passed, just as you might expect.
Alternatively, suppose you are using an Apple Watch Series 3 or later. In that case, you can program your device to lock itself automatically at a predetermined “bedtime” or while your phone is charging. This function is fantastic for someone who enjoys having both their phone and watch unlocked but does not wish to go through the effort of manually unlocking the device constantly. Sadly, this feature is only available on later models of the Apple Watch, like the Series 5 and Series 7.
How to Lock Apple Watch: Automatic Lock
When your device detects that you are not wearing it, it will lock itself automatically. You can change the default setting by adjusting the options for your wrist detection.
1. Launch the Settings Application and Scroll to Passcode

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2. Tap the Passcode Button and Toggle Wrist Detection
Then tap the green toggle switch next to the Wrist Detection option.

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You are going to be asked for your passcode. Go ahead and enter it, and you will get to the next screen.
3. Confirm Your Selection
After reading the information about disabling this feature, hit the Turn Off button to confirm your selection. Just remember all these nice features you won’t be able to use.

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After Wrist Detection has been deactivated, the Watch will no longer automatically lock or unlock itself. Additionally, functions like monitoring your heart rate and receiving notifications will be disabled due to this action.
Perhaps the most moving observation is that the Apple Watch won’t instantly place a call to emergency services if it detects a fall.
How to Unlock Apple Watch Using Your iPhone
If you are wearing the watch at the wrist while unlocking your iPhone, this function will also unlock the watch.
For this to function, both your iPhone and the watch must be inside the standard range for Bluetooth.
1. Launch the app titled “Settings” on the watch.
2. Navigate to the Passcode screen and toggle the Unlock with iPhone option.

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3. As an additional option, open the Watch app for iPhone and navigate to My Watch > Passcode.
4. Next, toggle the Unlock with the iPhone switch.
Discover the essential steps to lock and unlock your Apple Watch for added security and peace of mind. This informative video tutorial will guide you through the process, ensuring your valuable data and personal information are kept safe at all times. Watch now to learn how to protect your Apple Watch with confidence.
Manually Locking Apple Watch
If you want to lock the watch manually, you must first turn off the wrist detection feature. Here are the steps to lock your Watch manually:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the watch face to access the Control Center.
- Tap on the lock icon.
- Swipe to the right and tap on the “Lock” button to lock the watch’s screen to prevent accidental taps during workouts or other activities.
- To unlock the watch, press and hold the Digital Crown and side button simultaneously.
Protect the Watch Using Water Lock
The watch is equipped with a handy feature called Water Lock, which not only ejects water from the speaker but also protects it from accidental touches. While this feature is particularly useful during swimming exercises, it can also be manually activated for other activities.
When you go swimming, the Water Lock function will automatically activate. Follow the steps outlined below to learn how to use Water Lock to lock the watch while working out.
- Open the Workout app on your iPhone.
- Select the type of physical activity you will be engaging in.
- Swipe to the right and tap on the water droplet icon to activate the Water Lock feature.

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- Begin your workout without worrying about accidental splashes.
- To access the screen during your workout, simply turn the Digital Crown.

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Unlocking Apple Watch When You Don’t Remember the Passcode
We’ve all been there. You lock your device but can’t seem to remember the passcode! What can you do? Luckily there are always options.
If you have forgotten the passcode for the watch, it is, unfortunately, impossible to reaccess it without resetting it. The good news is that this is not a difficult process.
Here are the steps to reset the watch:
- Place the watch on its charger.
- Press and hold the side button until the “Power Off” option appears on the screen.
- Press and hold the Digital Crown while holding the side button until the message “Erase all content and settings” appears.
- Tap on the “Reset” button and confirm the action by tapping it again.
- Once the reset process is complete, pair the watch with your iPhone again.
Remotely Lock an Apple Watch
If someone steals your beloved Apple Watch, you can stop them from using it as long as you have your iPhone or a computer handy. You can disable Touch ID on the watch by going to iCloud.com or using your iPhone. Locking a misplaced or stolen watch can help protect its data.
You can lock the watch by opening the Find My iPhone app on your device.
You can then Choose the Apple Watch as the device you want to lock.
After that, you can activate the “Mark as Lost ” option by clicking on the Activate button. Follow the instructions below:
- Activate the Lost Mode on the Apple Watch
- The Watch will lock itself and need a passcode that you have already established to be unlocked.
- You should update the password associated with the Apple ID for increased security.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©charnsitr/Shutterstock.com.