How to Unlock Apple iPhone SE 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 SE’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 SE’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 SE.

Now, you cannot just unlock any Apple iPhone SE 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 SE?

The Apple iPhone SE 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 SE 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 SE With Apple Watch

Unfortunately, not every Apple iPhone SE can be unlocked with your Apple Watch, and not every Apple Watch can unlock your Apple iPhone SE. 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 SE with Face ID – Apple iPhone SE 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 SE 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 SE Face ID.

Part 3. How To Unlock Apple iPhone SE With an Apple Watch

If you meet all the aforementioned criteria, setting up the feature to unlock your Apple iPhone SE 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 SE;

• 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 SE 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 SE 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 SE. If you accidentally unlock your phone, simply tap on the Lock Apple iPhone SE 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 SE, you’ll first need to type in your passcode.

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

Generally speaking, unlocking your Apple iPhone SE 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 SE with your Apple Watch.

If you’re using the correct versions of Apple iPhone SE (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 SE.

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

2. Restart Your WiFi/Bluetooth Connection

Your Apple iPhone SE 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 SE’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 SE 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 SE

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 SE 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 SE 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 SE 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 SE’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 SE 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 SE 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 SE 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.

How To Unlock Apple iPhone SE Without Swiping Up? 6 Ways

Part 1: What’s Swipe Up To Unlock on iPhone?

The Swipe Up Unlock function has been a fundamental aspect of iPhone functionality for a long time. It enables swift access to your phone by swiping upward from the screen’s bottom. This gesture grants entry to all your applications and data on your Apple iPhone SE. It was initially introduced to replace the physical Home button. However, it significantly simplified the user experience with iPhones.

It streamlined various tasks without the need for excessive button pressing. Moreover, its simplicity and speed became vital in how individuals utilized their iPhones. Yet, as preferences evolve, not everyone finds the exclusive Swipe Up Unlock feature appealing. Hence, exploring alternative methods to unlock your Apple iPhone SE is advisable.

Part 2: Why Do You Need To Swipe Up to Unlock on iPhone?

Swipe up to unlock the iPhone holds significant importance in its user interface and accessibility. This intuitive gesture serves as the primary means of gaining access to the Apple iPhone SE device. Here are several reasons why the Swipe Up to Unlock iPhone feature has been a cornerstone:

1. Simplicity and Ease of Use

The swipe gesture replaced the physical Home button, simplifying the unlocking process. Users could effortlessly swipe up from the bottom of the screen. It eliminates the need for pressing multiple buttons to access their devices.

2. Streamlined Navigation

Beyond unlocking the iPhone, the swipe gesture also allowed for quick navigation to the home screen. This streamlined access enabled users to jump straight into their apps, messages, or other functions.

3. Visual Aesthetics and User Experience

Apple’s design philosophy often revolves around clean, intuitive interfaces. The swipe up to unlock gesture aligns smoothly with this philosophy. It contributes to a visually appealing and user-friendly experience.

4. Security and Privacy

The gesture served as a security measure, preventing accidental or unauthorized access to the iPhone. Moreover, users can confidently rely on this unlocking method to safeguard their personal data.

Part 3: 6 Common Ways To Unlock iPhone Without Swiping Up

For an extended period, the primary method to unlock an iPhone involved swiping up. Nonetheless, if you wish to explore alternative methods, it’s entirely feasible. Various methods have emerged over time to open the Apple iPhone SE without swiping up.

Method 1: Unlock iPhone without Swiping Up with Enable Back Tap

With the debut of iOS 14, Apple unveiled an innovative feature called Back Tap. It provides users with a method to engage with their iPhones by tapping the Apple iPhone SE device’s rear surface. This innovative functionality can be configured to perform various actions. It includes unlocking the phone without a swiping-up gesture. Follow these steps to set up and use the Back Tap feature for unlocking your Apple iPhone SE:

Step 1. To start, access the “Settings” on your iOS device. Once there, scroll down until you locate the “Accessibility” option and tap on it. On the following screen, select “Touch” to access Touch settings under the “Physical and Motor” section.

Step 2. On the following screen, scroll down to the bottom and press “Back Tap.” Now, either choose “Double Tap” or “Triple Tap” and select “Lock Screen” from the options under the “System” section.

Method 2: Unlock iPhone Without Swiping Up Using iPhone Screen Unlocker: Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock

If you’ve forgotten the passcode for your Apple iPhone SE and are unable to access it anymore, there is no need to panic. We have the perfect tool for you that can unlock any lock on your screen in a few moments. The tool we are talking about is Wondershare Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) , an industry leader in smartphones. Dr.Fone, a pioneering tool for iOS lock screen removal, assists in unlocking various iPhone/iPad/iPod touch lock screens.

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS)

Unlock iPhone Without Swiping Up!

• Simple, click-through, process.
• Unlock screen passwords from all iPhones and iPads.
• No tech knowledge is required, everybody can handle it.
• Supports iPhone 15 /iPhone 14 /iPhone 13, iPhone 12, … and the latest iOS version fully!

4,395,218 people have downloaded it

It can handle 4-digit / 6-digit passcodes, custom numeric codes, alphanumeric passcodes, Face ID, Touch ID, Screen Time Passcodes, and more within minutes. Wondershare Dr.Fone also offers a swift and simple iCloud activation lock removal feature within its iPhone unlocking capabilities.

Key Features of Wondershare Dr.Fone

1. Capable of bypassing Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Screen Time restrictions without causing any data loss.
2. Compatible with iOS 17/iPadOS 17 and iPhone 15, ensuring its functionality with the latest Apple OS.
3. Offers a simple 3-step procedure, making it accessible even for users without technical expertise.

Steps To Unlock iPhone Without Swiping Up Using Wondershare Dr.Fone

Here is how to open your Apple iPhone SE without swiping up with the help of Wondershare Dr.Fone:

Step 1: Navigate to Unlock iOS Screen

Download and install Wondershare Dr.Fone on your computer. Go to “Toolbox,” tap “Screen Unlock,” and finally choose “iOS” to access the screen unlock tools. Once the window appears, choose the “Unlock iOS Screen” button to proceed with unlocking your iOS device’s screen. In the following screen, click “Start” to begin the process of unlocking your iOS device.

Step 2: Initiate the iDevice into Recovery Mode

After this step, enter Recovery Mode on your iDevice by following the specific on-screen instructions. Once your iDevice is in Recovery Mode, the system automatically identifies and displays the “Device Model.” You can make adjustments to the model if necessary and choose the “System Version” as per your needs. When finished, click on “Start” to initiate the unlocking process for your device’s screen.

Step 3: Successfully Unlock Your Locked iPhone

The screen will showcase the download progress of the iOS firmware on the platform. Once the iOS firmware download is completed, it undergoes verification. Proceed by selecting the “Unlock Now” button to initiate the unlocking process. A prompt window will appear, requesting confirmation for the process. Enter the necessary code and tap on “Unlock” to proceed. Upon successful unlocking of the iDevice, click “Done” to complete the process.

Method 3: Unlock the Apple iPhone SE Without Swiping Up via Touch ID/Face ID

Apple’s advanced biometric authentication systems, Touch ID and Face ID, are also reliable options. These offer smooth and secure methods to unlock the Apple iPhone SE 11 without swiping up. The following are the models that support Touch ID and Face ID:

Models with Touch ID

• iPhone SE (2022)
• iPhone SE (2020)
• iPhone SE (2016)
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone 8
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone 6s
• iPhone 6 Plus
• iPhone 6
• iPhone 5s

Models with Face ID

• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XR
• iPhone X

Method 4: Unlock Your Apple iPhone SE Without Swiping Up via AutoUnlockX

AutoUnlockX is a tweak designed for jailbroken iPhones. It enhances the Apple iPhone SE device’s unlocking experience by automatically bypassing the lock screen. That is when certain conditions are met. Jailbreaking involves bypassing the software restrictions imposed by Apple. Here are the steps to iPhone 11 unlock screen without swiping:

Step 1. Begin by adding an external repository like Sileo or Cydia, which will serve as an emulator. Remember, it won’t be automatically added to your applications; you’ll need to do this manually. So, download the repository from the SparkDev website (it’s not available on the App Store). Head to the “Tweaks” tab, find “AutoUnlockX,” and download it to your device.

Step 2. Following this, go to “Sources” in your Apple iPhone SE’s Settings, select “Edit,” and manually add the external repo to Cydia or Sileo. Open Sileo or Cydia and navigate to the “Search” page. In the search bar, type “AutoUnlockX.” Once the tweak appears, select it, and then tap “Get (Sileo)” or “Install (Cydia).”

Step 3. Confirm the selected repo by tapping the “Confirm” option and allow the tweak to install. Once installed, tap “Restart SpringBoard” to complete the download. After your Apple iPhone SE resprings, proceed to enable AutoUnlockX.

Step 4. Open Settings, tap on “App,” and then select “AutoUnlockX.” Toggle on “Enable Auto Unlock.” Customize other settings as desired by tapping on them to turn them on or off.

Step 5. When finished, tap the “Respring” option at the bottom to apply your changes. At last, unlock your Apple iPhone SE using your Face ID effortlessly.

Method 5: Unlock iPhone Without Swiping Up via Voice Control

Utilizing Voice Control to unlock your Apple iPhone SE offers a hands-free approach to accessing your device. It is especially helpful for individuals with accessibility needs. There are situations where manual interaction might be challenging. Here’s a guide on how to set up and use “Voice Control” to unlock your Apple iPhone SE:

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your Apple iPhone SE and scroll down to tap “Accessibility.” On the following screen, press “Voice Control” to proceed further.

Step 2. To set up voice control, you need to ensure that the “Voice Control” option is toggled on. After activating Voice Control, use a voice command to unlock your device.

Method 6: Unlock iPhone Without Swiping Up with Switch Control

Utilizing Switch Control is an excellent accessibility feature on iOS devices. It allows users to interact with their iPhones using adaptive switches or the Apple iPhone SE device’s screen itself. Moreover, it can provide an alternative way to navigate the Apple iPhone SE and access the Home screen. You no longer have to rely solely on the conventional swipe gesture. Here is how you can set up switch control to iPhone swipe to unlock:

Step 1. Access your Apple iPhone SE’s Settings, then tap on “Accessibility.” Now find and select “Switch Control,” and within it, navigate to “Switches.” Now, tap “Add New Switch” and choose “Camera.”

Step 2. Set Left Head Movement and Right Head Movement separately to “Home.” This action will lock the screen when tilting your head left or right. Now go back to “Recipes” in Switch Control, select “Edit,” and delete all existing recipes.

Step 3. Set “Scanning Style” to “Single Switch Step Scanning” and adjust “Dwell Time” to the shortest duration. Then, turn off the remaining settings under Switch Control.

Step 4. Save your switch, return to Accessibility Settings, and locate “Accessibility Shortcut.” Now, set triple-clicking the side button to activate “Switch Control.” On the home screen, triple-click the Side button, as previously set, to activate the switch on your Apple iPhone SE. Now, lock the Apple iPhone SE screen and then wake the Apple iPhone SE device without looking at it.

Conclusion

To conclude, we have explored different ways to unlock iPhones without swiping up beyond just using the usual swipe-up method. We’ve talked about using your fingerprint or face to unlock, using voice commands or special controls. The swipe-up gesture on iPhones is great, but these other methods give you more options.

While these methods are helpful, there’s a software called Wondershare Dr.Fone that’s particularly useful for iPhone issues. It does things like recovering data, fixing problems with your phone, and unlocking it when you can’t get in. Dr.Fone has a feature called “Screen Unlock” that was specifically made to help with different ways of unlocking iPhones.

How to Make the Most of Your Apple iPhone SE Lock Screen with Notifications?

The Apple iPhone SE lock screen has certainly changed a lot over the last few updates of iOS. Not only it provides an added security to the Apple iPhone SE device, but with iPhone lock screen notifications, we can also save our time and efforts. With the introduction of iOS 18, we can also see a change in iPhone lock screen with notifications as well. To help you make the most out of lock screen notifications iPhone, we have come up with this ultimate guide. Read on and know all sorts of things you can do with iPhone notification lock screen.

Part 1: How to use iPhone lock screen notifications?

When it comes to iPhone lock screen with notifications, there are so many things that you can do. For instance, here are a handful of things you can do with iPhone lock screen notifications.

Reply to messages quickly

If you aren’t using this iPhone notification lock screen feature, then you are certainly missing out on something. You might already know that you can get a preview of messages on your home screen. Simply long press it (or 3D Touch) to interact with it. From here, you can reply to your messages without unlocking your device.

Interact with apps without unlocking your phone

Not just your messages, you can interact with other apps as well right from the lock screen notifications iPhone. After getting a list of notifications, you can simply tap on the “x” button to close them.

Though, if you want to know more, then just long press the notification. For instance, if you have got a notification for an email, then you can get various options just by long pressing it.

Search for anything

Besides interacting with widgets and apps, you can also search for something on your device and that too without unlocking it. Simply tap on the search bar to make it work.

Part 2: How to turn off notifications on iPhone lock screen?

Sometimes, people can access our private information just by looking at our notifications. In this way, they can get read your crucial information and that too without unlocking your device. By simply visiting your device’s settings, you can customize iPhone lock screen with notifications. In this way, you can turn on or off iPhone lock screen notifications for the apps of your choice.

1. Unlock your device and go to its Settings > Notifications to access all the features related to its notifications.

2. From here, you can view a list of all the apps that can access notifications.

3. Simply tap on the app of your choice (Mail, Message, Photos, iTunes, etc).

4. From here, turn off the option of “Allow Notification” to completely turn off the notifications for the app.

5. If you simply want to turn off notifications on lock screen, then switch off the option of “Show on Lock Screen”.

Besides that, there are a few other options as well that you can either enable or disable to customize your lock screen notifications iPhone.

Part 3: How to turn off notification view on iPhone lock screen?

The notification view can be used to see previous notifications on the Apple iPhone SE device without unlocking it. Needless to say, most of the users don’t like to include this iPhone notification lock screen feature. To turn off the notification view of iPhone lock screen notifications, follow these steps:

1. Firstly, unlock your device and got to its Settings > Touch ID & Passcode option.

2. You would be needed to provide the passcode or your fingerprint in order to access these settings.

3. This will provide a list of features related to your passcode. Go to the section of “Allow Access When Locked”.

4. From here, make sure that the option of “Notification View” is turned off.

After turning the option off, you can exit from the Settings interface. In this way, your device won’t display the notification view.

Part 4: Changes on iPhone lock screen notifications on iOS 18

With the new update of iOS 18, we can see a drastic change in the Apple iPhone SE lock screen notifications as well. Since the Apple iPhone SE lock screen with notifications have been integrated into one, it becomes quite easier for users to access it.

Access iPhone notification lock screen on iOS 18

Some people find it a little tricky to access the lock screen notifications iPhone after the iOS 18 update. Instead of sliding the screen from the top, you need to swipe it from the middle. By swiping it from the bottom, you might get its control center.

Simply swipe up from the middle of the screen to get a list of all the notifications. Now, you can slide them to access the old notifications.

Nevertheless, you can swipe from the top to access the cover sheet.

Swipe left or right

This is undoubtedly one of the most evident new features of the Apple iPhone SE notification lock screen of iOS 18. Now, you can swipe left or right to access various features. By swiping left, you can access the Camera on your device and by swiping right, you can access your Today View.

If you want to click pictures instantly, then simply swipe left the lock screen. This will launch the Camera on your device, letting you click pictures on the go. Similarly, by swiping right, you can access your Today View. This includes vital data from apps and widgets that your smartphone assumes is important for you regarding the day.

We hope that after following this guide, you would be able to gain in-depth information regarding iPhone lock screen with notifications. Apart from all the basic things you can do on the lock screen, we have also provided easy ways to customize it. Furthermore, there are so many things that you can do with the iOS 18 iPhone lock screen notifications. While most of the users loved the feature, some are quite hesitant about its application. What is your take on this? Let us know about it in the comments.