How to Unlock Apple iPhone 7 Plus With an Apple Watch & What to Do if It Doesn’t Work

There are plenty of reasons why Apple devices are in such high demand. The quality of the products is unquestionable – few can argue the superior quality of the Apple iPhone 7 Plus’s camera, for instance. Almost all devices are long-lasting. They have a great resale value. They offer cutting-edge features.

However, perhaps the greatest advantage of Apple products is just how well they integrate with one another and work together.

With a quick little tap, you can have your Apple iPhone 7 Plus’s camera working as your Mac’s webcam. You can use your iPad as a second Mac display. Take calls using any device.

Moreover, you might be able to use the Apple Watch to unlock your Apple iPhone 7 Plus.

Now, you cannot just unlock any Apple iPhone 7 Plus with your Watch. The devices must be paired, and you’ll need to follow a few steps to enable this option. Here’s how to unlock your phone using your Apple Watch like a pro.

Part 1. Can I Use an Apple Watch To Unlock My Apple iPhone 7 Plus?

The Apple iPhone 7 Plus face ID is one of the simplest, most practical ways to unlock your phone. While you’ll need a passcode just as another security layer, you won’t have to worry about someone else breaking in if they know it, going through your messages, or collecting your private information.

With face ID, only you can unlock your phone, sign in to your favorite apps, and even authenticate purchases.

The problem is that neither face ID nor traditional passcodes aren’t always the most convenient option. If you wear sunglasses, safety goggles, a face mask, or other face coverings and can’t take them off for some reason, face ID won’t work. If you have gloves on and can’t type in your passcode, your passcodes won’t work.

What could work is your Apple Watch.

Depending on the Apple Watch version you own and your Apple iPhone 7 Plus model, you could use your watch to unlock your phone in any circumstances. It’s easy, secure, and convenient, above all else.

Part 2. Requirements for Unlocking Apple iPhone 7 Plus With Apple Watch

Unfortunately, not every Apple iPhone 7 Plus can be unlocked with your Apple Watch, and not every Apple Watch can unlock your Apple iPhone 7 Plus. Both devices must meet some requirements before you can adjust your settings to enable this option.

To be able to use your Apple Watch to unlock your phone with the utmost ease, you’ll need:

• An Apple iPhone 7 Plus with Face ID – Apple iPhone 7 Plus X and newer models;
• iOS 14.5 and newer versions;
• An Apple Watch series 3 and newer models;
• watchOS 7.4 and newer versions.

Additional requirements you’ll need to meet include:

• Your Apple iPhone 7 Plus and Apple Watch need to be paired;
• Both devices need to have WiFi and Bluetooth turned on (but a connection to a WiFi network isn’t necessary);
• You need to have a passcode on your Apple Watch;
• Wrist detection on your watch needs to be turned on;
• The watch needs to be on your wrist and unlocked.

You’ll also need to wear items such as sunglasses, face coverings, ski masks, or others that prevent you from using your Apple iPhone 7 Plus Face ID.

Part 3. How To Unlock Apple iPhone 7 Plus With an Apple Watch

If you meet all the aforementioned criteria, setting up the feature to unlock your Apple iPhone 7 Plus using an Apple Watch is easy. You’ll just have to follow a few steps:

• Step 1: Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcodeon your Apple iPhone 7 Plus;

• Step 2: Type in your passcode;
• Step 3: Find and enable Unlock with Apple Watch.

Remember that your Apple Watch’s wrist detection must be turned on for this option to work. When you tap to enable Unlock with Apple Watch, if your wrist detection isn’t turned on, you’ll get a prompt on your phone asking you to turn it on.

You can turn on wrist detection on your watch by following these steps:

• Step 4: Go to Settingson your Apple Watch;
• Step 5: Tap on the Passcode;
• Step 6: Toggle Wrist Detection

Now that you’ve enabled the option to unlock your Apple iPhone 7 Plus using your Apple Watch, it’s time to simply start using the feature. To unlock your phone, you’ll need to:

• Have your Apple Watch on your wrist, unlocked;
• Tap on your Apple iPhone 7 Plus or raise it to your face to activate it;
• Glance at your phone while wearing a face mask, sunglasses, or another item that’s preventing you from using Face ID;
• Swipe up on your phone’s screen.

Your Apple Watch will send an alert when you’ve used it to unlock your Apple iPhone 7 Plus. If you accidentally unlock your phone, simply tap on the Lock Apple iPhone 7 Plus on the screen of your watch to lock it.

However, remember that the next time you want to use your Apple Watch to unlock your Apple iPhone 7 Plus, you’ll first need to type in your passcode.

Part 4. What To Do if You Can’t Unlock Your Apple iPhone 7 Plus With a Watch

Generally speaking, unlocking your Apple iPhone 7 Plus with an Apple Watch should be a simple, seamless task. Unfortunately, though, that’s not always the case. A glitch or a bug could be preventing you from enjoying this feature, so take a look at a few things you could try to fix it.

1. Check All Settings & Reconfigure

As mentioned earlier, there are a few requirements that your devices need to meet to unlock your Apple iPhone 7 Plus with your Apple Watch.

If you’re using the correct versions of Apple iPhone 7 Plus (iPhone X, iOS 14.5 and newer) and Apple Watch (series 3, watchOS 7.4 and newer), try to reconfigure your settings.

Make sure that you have:

• A passcode on your watch;
• Wrist detection turned on;
• Feature Unlock with Apple Watchturned on on your Apple iPhone 7 Plus.

If all the settings are correct, try one of the following options.

2. Restart Your WiFi/Bluetooth Connection

Your Apple iPhone 7 Plus and your Apple Watch need to have both WiFi and Bluetooth turned on. If they’re turned on on both devices, try turning them off and back on again to restart the connection.

Remember, you only need WiFi and Bluetooth on but don’t need to be connected to a WiFi network.

If the problem persists, you could also restart your devices and try again.

3. Reset Your Face ID

In some instances, it’s the Face ID feature that’s causing trouble, so you might want to try and reset it. It’s much easier than it may sound, you just need to follow the next few steps:

• Step 1: Go to your Apple iPhone 7 Plus’s Settings;
• Step 2: Select Face ID & Passcode;
• Step 3: Tap Reset Face ID.

When you tap on this, you’ll need to go through the process of setting your Face ID as usual. You’ll need to type in your passcode, hold your Apple iPhone 7 Plus in front of you (in portrait orientation), tap to get started, and put your face in the provided frame.

Move your face to complete the circle, then tap on Continue. Repeat the face scan process the second time and select Done.

4. Do a System Repair on Your Apple iPhone 7 Plus

If your Apple Watch unlock is still misbehaving, you might need to do a full system repair. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to use verified apps like Dr.Fone to prevent the problem from getting worse.

Dr.Fone Apple iPhone 7 Plus system repair is designed to be fast, efficient, and safe. It can repair virtually any system glitch in less than five minutes, ensuring your phone operates seamlessly.

To perform a standard system repair with Dr.Fone, follow the next few steps:

• Step 1: Download and launch Dr.Fone on your computer;
• Step 2: From the Toolboxon your left-hand side, select System Repair;

• Step 3: Connect your Apple iPhone 7 Plus to your PC using a cable connection;
• Step 4: Select your device type in the new window that opens;
• Step 5: Select iOS repair;

• Step 6: Select Standard Repair Mode;
• Step 7: Follow the on-screen instructions and select Enter Recovery Mode;
• (Alternatively, select Guideif your phone is unresponsive);
• Step 8: Select the iOS firmware you want to download and install on your device;
• Step 9: Wait for the download to finish, then select Repair Now;
• Step 10: Wait until the process is complete, then select Done.

If it was a system mistake preventing you from unlocking your Apple iPhone 7 Plus with your Apple Watch, the option should be functioning well after the Dr.Fone iOS repair.

5. Reset Network Settings

If the problem wasn’t due to a system glitch, you should try resetting your Apple iPhone 7 Plus’s network settings. The process is simple, just:

• Step 1: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network;
• Step 2: Type in your passcode.

Resetting your network settings will clear out data from your internet, local network, and devices, including WiFi passwords, some Bluetooth connections, and more. However, your paired devices, such as the Apple Watch, shouldn’t be removed.

6. Reset Your Watch and Pair It Again

Finally, if you’re still experiencing issues, you might need to reset your Apple Watch and pair it with your Apple iPhone 7 Plus again.

It’s all quite simple:

• Step 1: Press and hold the power button;
• Step 2: Drag the slider under Power offto the right;
• Step 3: Press and hold the power button to turn the Apple iPhone 7 Plus device back on.

To perform a hard reset, simultaneously press and hold the power button and digital crown.

Conclusion

Using your Apple Watch to unlock your Apple iPhone 7 Plus is convenient when you cannot use the Face ID feature. It allows you to seamlessly unlock your phone when wearing sunglasses, goggles, face masks, or other face coverings that prevent the Face ID from working.

Enabling this option is a straightforward process, and if there’s ever a glitch, there are several options you could try to repair it.

Complete Guide For Apple iPhone 7 Plus Lock Screen

Like most iPhone users, you rely on your lock screen to keep your data safe and protected. But with the release of iOS 17, there are a few new features and changes that you need to know about. This complete guide will clarify everything you need to know about the iOS 17 lock screen.

We’ll explain to you how to use the new features, protect your data, and more. So don’t waste any time - read on for all the details!

How to Have a Customized iOS 17 Lock Screen?

Before we get started, you should know that there are three ways to have a customized lock screen in iOS 17. Let’s get to know more about them.

1. How to select your favorite wallpaper

The first way is to use a pre-made wallpaper from the Apple Wallpaper Gallery.

To do this, go to Settings > Wallpapers & Brightness > Choose a New Wallpaper. Then, select the Apple Wallpaper Gallery and choose the image you want to use.

The second way to have a customized lock screen is to use a Live Photo. To do this, go to Settings > Wallpapers & Brightness > Choose a New Wallpaper. Then, select the Live Photo option and choose the image you want to use.

Note: You can only use Live Photos for your lock screen if your Apple iPhone 7 Plus is unlocked.

2. How to manage notifications

If you want to manage notifications on the iOS 17 lock screen, there are two ways to do it.

At first, you can go to Settings > Notifications. Here, you can choose how many notifications you want to see on your lock screen and which apps can send you notifications.

The Do Not Disturb feature is the second way to manage notifications. To do this, go to Settings > Do Not Disturb and enable the feature. You can also schedule when Do Not should turn on and off. This feature work like a charm if you want to silence all notifications at night.

3. How to set Auto-Lock time

If you want to set the Auto-Lock time, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock. Here, you can choose how long it should take for your Apple iPhone 7 Plus to lock automatically.

By default, the Auto-Lock time is set to 30 seconds. But you can choose to lock it immediately, after 1 minute, 5 minutes, or never.

How to Turn Off/On Lock Screen in iOS 17?

If you want to turn off the lock screen, go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode (or Face ID & Passcode). Then, scroll down and disable the Unlock with Passcode (or Unlock with Face ID) option.

Enable the Unlock with Passcode (or Unlock with Face ID) to turn ON the lock screen.

But if you have forgotten your passcode, don’t worry. The next section will show you how to bypass the lock screen.

How to Bypass the iOS 17 Lock Screen Passcode?

Different methods can help you bypass the iOS 17 lock screen passcode. Let’s discuss them in detail.

1. Use Emergency call

The first method to bypass the passcode is to use the emergency call feature.

To do this, access your device with five wrong passcodes attempts. This will trigger the emergency call feature. All you need to do is, dial an emergency number and then tap on the cancel button, and you’ll be taken to the home screen.

That’s how you bypass the lock screen without losing any data.

2. Bypass passcode with iTunes restore

If your Apple iPhone 7 Plus needs to be backed up with iTunes sync feature, you can use this method to bypass the passcode.

To do this, connect your Apple iPhone 7 Plus to a computer and open iTunes. Then, click the Restore button and follow the on-screen instructions to restore your Apple iPhone 7 Plus.

It will take some time, but you can use your Apple iPhone 7 Plus without a passcode once it’s done.

3. Use Find My in iCloud

If you have synced your Apple iPhone 7 Plus with iCloud, you can try the Find My feature to bypass the lock screen.

To do this, go to icloud.com/#find and sign in with your Apple ID. Then, select your device from the list of devices and click on the Erase button.

To do this, go to icloud.com/#find and sign in with your Apple ID. Then, select your device from the list of devices and click on the Erase button.

All the data will disappear on your Apple iPhone 7 Plus, and you’ll be able to access it without a passcode.

This process can also take some time, so be patient.

4. Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock

If all mentioned methods don’t work for you, the ultimate solution is to use Wondershare Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock and bypass the passcode. To finish it, you can follow the steps given below carefully.

Step #1: Download/Install Dr.Fone on your Computer or MacBook

A third-party tool named Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock can help you in this regard. The wonderful part is that you don’t have to learn any technical knowledge.

First, download/install Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock on your computer or MacBook. You can get it from here:

After downloading the tool, install launch it on your PC.

Step #2: Launch the Application and Go for Screen Unlock

Once you have installed the tool, launch it and go to its main window. Here, you will see different features. Select the Screen Unlock feature from the list.

Step #3: Connect your Apple iPhone 7 Plus and Activate DFU Mode

Now, you need to connect your Apple iPhone 7 Plus to the computer using an Apple original cable. Once done, you need to put your Apple iPhone 7 Plus into DFU mode.

To do this, you need to press and hold the Home button and Sleep/Wake button simultaneously for 10 seconds.

After that, release the Sleep/Wake button but keep holding the Home button until Dr.Fone detects your device in DFU mode.

Step #4: Download the Appropriate Firmware

Once Dr.Fone detects your Apple iPhone 7 Plus, it will ask you to continue. So, proceed to the next, and here you will be asked to download the correct firmware package for your device.

So, choose the firmware carefully and hit the download button.

Depending on your internet connection, you may have to wait for a longer time. But once the firmware is downloaded successfully, you can proceed to the next step.

Step #5: Unlock your Apple iPhone 7 Plus

After the firmware is downloaded, you need to press the Unlock Now button, and Dr.Fone will start to unlock your Apple iPhone 7 Plus without a passcode. Once it is done, you can get into your device without any restriction.

FAQs

Why iOS 17 Lock Screen is not working?

There could be many reasons for the malfunction of the Lock Screen in iOS 17. The most common reason is the installation of incompatible jailbreak tweaks. Therefore, it is recommended to remove all the jailbreak tweaks and check whether the problem persists.

You can try resetting your device to factory settings if the problem still exists. But make sure to back up your data before doing so, as it will erase all your data.

How do I fix my iOS 17 lock screen bugs?

There are various ways to fix the lock screen bugs in iOS 17. You can try resetting your device to factory settings, or you can also try restoring your device from a previous backup.

If none of these methods work, you can try using a third-party tool like Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock to bypass the lock screen.

How do you unlock a locked iPhone iOS 17?

There are various ways to unlock a locked iPhone running on iOS 17. You can try the feature of Find My iPhone, or you can also use a third-party tool like Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock.

How do you fix an unresponsive lock screen on iPhone running on iOS 17?

If your lock screen is unresponsive on iPhone running on iOS 17, you can try force restarting your device. To do this, you need to press and hold the Home button and Sleep/Wake button simultaneously for 10 seconds.

After that, release the Sleep/Wake button but keep holding the Home button until you see the Apple logo. Once your device is restarted, check if the problem persists or not.

If the problem still bothers you, you can try using a third-party tool like Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock to reset the phone, eventually fixing the issue.

The Bottom Line

So this is what we want to talk about the iOS 17 Lock Screen with you. We have tried to cover everything in this article, including the new features, lock screen bugs, and how to fix them.

All the fixes mentioned above are tested and proven to be working. So you can try them without any hesitation.

But if you are still facing problems with your lock screen, then the greatest thing you can do is to use a third-party tool like Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock. This tool is very easy to use and will unlock your device within minutes.

So, if you are looking for a hassle-free solution to fix your lock screen issues, then this is the best one you should never miss.

Apple iPhone 7 Plus Asking for Passcode after iOS 17/14 Update, What to Do?

If you’ve recently updated your iOS iPhone and iPad to the iOS 17/14 operating system, you may notice a bit of a bug where the Apple iPhone 7 Plus displays the passcode lock, even if you haven’t got a security code in place.

This obviously means you won’t be able to access your phone, and in many cases, you’re going to want to get back into your phone as quickly as possible. However, this may be easier said than done. Fortunately, today we’re going to go through multiple solutions to help you get your device working as it should!

Part 1. Don’t try passcodes blindly

One of the worst things you can do when faced with this situation is to enter passcodes blindly. Perhaps you’re trying random numbers and letters, or you’re trying passwords you’ve used in the past. If you get it wrong, you’re going to be locked out of your device for a long time.

The more times you get your code wrong, the longer you’ll be locked out, so avoid doing this at all costs, so make sure you move straight onto these approaches to get your phone working as quickly as possible.

Part 2. 5 ways to unlock iPhone after iOS 17/14 Update

2.1 Try a default passcode in your family

While we said, you shouldn’t type in random numbers to try and guess the password, of course, if you have a standard family passcode that you use across all iOS devices, perhaps an admin password or just something you use for everything, it can be well worth a try.

In reality, you get three attempts to put a passcode in before it locks you out, so try two passcodes that your family uses to see whether this will easily unlock your device. If you brought your device preowned and still have contact with the owner, they may have a passcode you can try.

2.2 Unlock iPhone with an unlock tool

The second approach you can take if you don’t know the passcode and can’t get it unlocked is to use a powerful software solution known as Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) . This Wondershare software application completely unlocks your phone, even if you don’t know the passcode.

This software is easy to use and incredibly simple, yet it gets the job done. If you’re looking for a quick way to get your iOS device back up and running with full access after an iOS 17/14 update, it doesn’t get much better than this. Here’s how it works;

Step 1. Download and install the Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) software to either your Mac or Windows PC and open it, so you’re on the homepage. Connect your iOS device to your computer using the USB cable and wait for the software to recognize your device.

When it does, close iTunes if it automatically opens and clicks the Screen Unlock option from the main menu.

Step 2. Click the Unlock iOS Screen option.

Step 3. You will now need to put your device in DFU mode, also known as Recovery Mode. Fortunately, this is easy thanks to the on-screen instructions where you will hold down the volume down and power button for a few seconds.

Step 4. Once Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) has detected your device in DFU Mode. You’ll be able to select which device you’re using and what firmware you want to be repaired; in this case, iOS 17/14.

Step 5. Once everything has been confirmed and you’re happy to continue, press the Unlock option. The program will do its thing, and when it’s done, the software will say you’re able to disconnect your Apple iPhone 7 Plus and use it without a lock screen!

That’s how easy Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) makes the entire unlock process!

2.3 Restore an old backup from iTunes

Another key way that some users have found to unlock their device after an update is to restore their device to an older version, aiming to put your device back into a position where it didn’t have a lock screen.

It’s only possible to do this if you’ve backed up your iOS device in the past (which is why you’re encouraged to back up regularly), and it can all be done through the iTunes software on either your Mac or Windows computer. Here’s how it works;

Step 1. Ensure you’re running the latest version of iTunes and then connect your iOS device to your Mac or Windows computer using the official USB cable. This should automatically open the iTunes window.

Step 2. In iTunes, click the symbol representing your device and then click Summary. On this screen, you’ll be able to choose the Restore iPhone option at the top to begin the restoring process.

Step 3. Follow the onscreen instructions where you’ll choose which backup file you want to use before iTunes, then restores your device. When the software has completed the process, you’ll be able to disconnect your Apple iPhone 7 Plus and use it without a lock screen!

2.4 Restore in recovery mode

In some cases, restoring your device using just iTunes will not be good enough, and it won’t have the effect you’re looking for; in this case, restoring your device with no lock screen after an iOS 17/14 update.

If the above method of restoring your device via iTunes doesn’t work, or you haven’t got a backup file to load, you’ll need to restore your device using a move known as Recovery Mode, or DFU mode. This will hard reset your device and get it working to its full potential.

Here’s how to do it. (Note, the process will differ slightly depending on which model of iPhone you’re using).

Step 1. Press and hold the volume up button for about one second, and then switch and press the Volume Down button for the same amount of time. You can then hold the side button (on devices without a home button), and the following screen should appear after a few seconds.

Step 2. Now connect your Apple iPhone 7 Plus to your computer with iTunes and wait for iTunes to open. Make sure you’re running the latest version of iTunes before connecting up your device. Also, make sure you’re using the official USB cable for the most stability.

Step 3. iTunes should automatically detect that your device is in Recovery Mode and automatically restore your device to a default state without a lock screen. Wait until this process is completed before disconnecting your device and using it as normal.

2.5 Use Find My iPhone feature in iCloud

The fifth and final approach you can take to removing a lock screen from your recently updated iPhone or iPad when faced with the iOS 17/14 glitch is taking advantage of the integrated Apple technology and features are known as Find My iPhone.

While this feature originally allows you to literally find your Apple iPhone 7 Plus in the situation where it’s lost and offers many other security features to help ensure your device and data don’t fall into the wrong hands, you can also use it to remove your device unwanted lock screen.

Of course, this will only work if the Find My iPhone features have been enabled in the past, so make sure you’re using it to get it to work. Here’s how to use the feature to get your phone access back.

Step 1. From your computer, iPad, tablet, or mobile web browser, head over to iCloud.com and log into your iCloud account using the login in button at the top of the screen.

Step 2. Once signed in, scroll down the menu of features and select the Find iPhone feature. Click on the All Devices option at the top.

Step 3. From the list of devices connected to your account, click the Apple iPhone 7 Plus device name with the locked screen and then click the Erase option. This will clear everything from your device, much like the process we’ve spoken about in the methods above.

Leave the Apple iPhone 7 Plus device to erase, and once completed, you’ll be able to pick up and use your phone as normal without a lock screen. You should also now be able to update to iOS 17/14 without any problems!

Summary

And there you go, the five key ways you need to know when it comes to removing an unwanted lock screen from your iOS device after an iOS 17/14 update. We highly recommend the Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) since the software makes the whole process incredibly easy, especially when managing any problems you may have on your iOS device!

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