The Apple Watch is one of the market’s best, with impressive software usability, but still, any device can run into issues. One of the concerns from users is that the smartwatch locks unexpectedly, requiring the passcode before you can use it again.
So, why does the Apple Watch keep locking? The Apple Watch typically locks for one of two reasons: either the wrist detection feature is activated, or the watch has been removed from the wearer’s wrist. The wrist detection feature is a security measure designed to protect your information. When this feature is enabled, your Apple Watch automatically locks when it doesn’t detect it’s being worn.
Wrist detection uses the Apple Watch’s sensors to determine when it’s being worn. When you remove the watch, it automatically locks to prevent unauthorized access. If you’re wearing the watch but it’s still locking, it might not be making proper contact with your skin. This can happen if the watch is too loose, or if an obstruction (like a sleeve or a wristband) is present.
Another factor could be the Passcode settings. If you’ve set a passcode (which is recommended), the watch locks when you’re not wearing it. It will also lock if it restarts, or if you’ve manually locked it. To unlock it, you’ll need to enter the passcode on the Apple Watch or unlock it with the iPhone it’s paired with.
If your Apple Watch is locking unexpectedly while you’re wearing it, you could try disabling the wrist detection feature. However, keep in mind that doing so disables some features like Apple Pay and notification delivery when the watch is not on your wrist. If the issue persists, it might be worth contacting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store for further assistance.
The automatic lock is a default setting called Wrist Detection in the Apple Watch, where the system closes and demands a password when you take it off your wrist. However, if it still locks even when wearing it, it implies that there are system bugs, external interferences, or you are not wearing the watch correctly.
Also, your watch and phone software may be outdated, leading to performance issues. Alternatively, wearing the watch loosely or too tight can hinder Wrist Detection, causing unnecessary locking.
Your Apple Watch will function better if you can fix common issues like unwanted locking and sleep mode while it is in use.
When the Apple Watch keeps locking, it temporarily shuts you out of the system and asks you to enter your pin to regain access. It may be disruptive, especially when you still wear the watch and want to use it consistently without interruptions.
The iWatch will lock itself when you take it off your wrist based on Apple’s design. However, if it keeps doing that when still on your wrist and while using it, it may have system bugs, or you are not wearing it correctly, or there are other interferences.
Bugs may occur when your watch is outdated or has problems pairing with your iPhone. Another likely explanation is that the iDevice may be too loose or tight around the wrist. Lastly, you can expect such issues due to interferences like dust on the back of the watch.
Every user knows how attentive Apple is to customers’ privacy and security. As with other iDevices, the manufacturer is also cautious to protect Apple Watch users from snoopers who illegally access personal information from the iWatch.
The data in the gadget is safe thanks to the protective security layers, particularly the Wrist Detection feature. This system is a design that automatically locks your smartwatch the second it is not in contact with your wrist.
It is an elaborate way to detect when you take off the watch, ensuring that an unauthorized user cannot access the data inside and misuse or leak it. There are chances of hackers using apps like Apple Pay to make illegal purchases without your knowledge.
When the smartwatch locks, you must enter your passcode first to verify that you are the actual user. Therefore, no one else can open your watch unless they have your code.
If you only take the watch off before sleeping and wear it when awake, you will only have to enter the code once. Unfortunately, some users have reported issues with their Apple Watch frequently locking them out even when using it.
If you have set Wrist Detection, the device should only lock when you remove it, not when still around your wrist. It means that the system will deny you access and keep forcing you to re-enter your passcode.
It is an inconvenience and wastes a lot of time. There are three main reasons behind it if this happens to you; there may be system bugs, external interferences, or issues with the improper wearing of the watch.
Bugs are common when there are glitches with the pairing, or the software is outdated, and the Wrist Detection setting may also be encountering issues. Alternatively, the iWatch may keep locking itself if the sensors are dirty.
It interferes with the automatic setting, making it believe that you have taken off the watch. Another explanation is when you have not worn the watch correctly, which is quite common among users.
If too tight or loose, it will interfere with the system, leading to random lockdowns. It explains the essence of always wearing the watch properly directly above the wrist bone and never letting it stay too tight, which also causes health complications.
Due to such malfunctions, a section of users would instead lock their Apple watch systems manually instead of letting it close down whenever they take it off. You only have to go to the Settings and toggle off Wrist Detection.
On the downside, disabling this feature has a fair share of downsides. For instance, you will lose a few Activity measures, the heart rate detection will be off, and you will leave your iWatch vulnerable to malicious users when you forget to manually lock it after taking it off.
Disable Apple Watch Locking
The best part about the Apple Watch is that it is one of the most versatile wearables, and many users wear it almost daily. If you are using it while working out or tracking your vitals, you would want it to stay on, but this cannot happen if it keeps locking and requires your passcode.
To stop your Apple Watch from locking unnecessarily, you should first check that the Wrist Detection is working since it is the main reason behind such hitches. Secondly, it is best to wear the watch correctly, above the wrist, and not too loose or tight.
Regularly cleaning the iWatch’s back also helps to eliminate any dust that may interfere with the Wrist detection. Lastly, if there is an issue with the pairing with the iPhone or the smartwatch is running an outdated system, it would help to pair and unpair the handset and watch and update them to the latest software.
If you are experiencing anomalies with the Wrist Detection feature and your iWatch keeps locking itself, you will be glad to know that there are proven fixes to try, depending on the cause of the glitch.
- Check and Adjust Wrist Detection
When you notice the issue, the first thing to do is confirm that the automatic lock feature is working correctly. You can start the Apple Watch app from your iPhone, then scroll to find “My Watch” and click on the “Passcode” icon. Next, tap “Wrist Detection” and turn it on by swiping right. Ensure you turn on the passcode and enter the digits as the system directs.
- Wear the Watch Properly
If you are confident that you have adjusted Wrist Detection and it is working efficiently, the next thing to check is how you wear the iWatch. The feature is quite sensitive and will act up if something is wrong. For instance, if the device is too loose on your arm and cannot detect your wrist, it will automatically lock due to the settings.
Therefore, it is essential to check that there is no gap between the smartwatch and the wrist, even for seconds. However, it doesn’t mean that the wearable should be too tight because it also interferes with the feature. Additionally, wearing the watch above the wrist bone is advisable, not too far up.
- Clean the Watch’s Back
Many users overlook this, but dirt on the iWatch surface can also interfere with the Wrist Detection feature. When dust covers the sensors, they may block them, making them lose wrist contact and lock the system. It is best to regularly clean the smartwatch by wetting it with water and wiping it with a soft microfiber cloth.
There are also concerns that wrist tattoos can affect Wrist Detection’s expected performance. Moreover, some users report glitches when wearing long-sleeved clothes that can drop between the watch and the skin, blocking the sensors and triggering a lock.
- Restart and Update the iPhone and iWatch
If none of the above fix’s work, the last resorts include restarting the two paired devices and updating them. If nothing else works, it strongly indicates that there may be bugs in the iPhone or iWatch systems, which is typical for most gadgets. The most obvious fix is to restart them, which usually eliminates system anomalies.
Turn them off and put your phone on first, but you can also try unpairing and relinking them. Otherwise, if nothing changes, your handset or smartwatch is likely running on outdated software. You can check for any recent releases and update your device. Doing this will solve the common issues in older software and make your system normally run again.
Apple Watch Sleep Mode
Apple designed the iWatch for users to wear on their wrists; therefore, they should be on when you need them. Besides the issues with unexpected locks, you may also be struggling with your iWatch frequently turning to sleep mode. The following explains why and the effective fixes to try.
The Apple Watch keeps going to sleep mode as one way for it to enhance its battery life. The wearable has a minute dry cell that doesn’t last long without requiring recharging, mainly when you use it intensively. Your smartwatch can also sleep if you configure it through the settings. Apple also introduced automatic screen dimming to avoid unnecessary distractions.
If the sleep mode feature is becoming a hurdle, you can adjust the settings but remember that it is a vital aspect of the iWatch’s performance and battery life. If your wearable’s screen keeps dimming, it doesn’t mean that the iDevice is faulty, but it may become disruptive and waste a lot of time if you must manually adjust it.
Thanks to technological advancements, some Apple Watch generations can automatically light up whenever you raise your hands to check the time or use the watch. However, there are logical explanations for why your smartwatch keeps turning to sleep mode.
Primarily, the manufacturer understands that the gadget is tiny, hence has a smaller battery. Thus, the sleep mode is a default setting to allow it to serve you longer with every charge. It helps you save more battery because constantly lighting up the screen consumes a lot of power. If the watch’s battery life is approximately eighteen hours, having the screen lighting up will likely reduce this time drastically.
Luckily, conserving the battery’s life means that you are also enhancing its lifespan. Besides, having the watch beaming can make it distracting, especially at work or school, since you will keep glancing at the screen thinking there is an incoming notification. Letting the wearable sleep will give you peace of mind and make you more productive.
Moreover, if you sleep with the watch to track your vitals, leaving the screen on can be too distracting. It may keep waking you up, affecting the quality of your sleep. Thankfully, the fifth-generation Apple Watches and later versions have an “Always On” feature that allows the device to sleep when idle, but it lights up when you raise your arms to check the screen.
If you didn’t set the smartwatch sleep mode to “Always On” it will automatically dim if you are not using it or didn’t switch off the feature.
Otherwise, the Apple smartwatch without sleep mode allows you to always see what is going on in the device. You can notice incoming notifications and alerts, but you will not have these benefits if it keeps going to sleep mode. If you want to fix the dimming issue on your iWatch, and your model cannot switch between wake screen and sleep mode, you can try some solutions.
The following are some simple procedures: tap or swipe up the iWatch display for the control center to appear, then tap the crescent moon symbol on the screen. Next, you can navigate to the Sleep button on the subsequent menu and click the Sleep key with the bed icon to turn off the feature and turn it back on.
Afterward, you can confirm whether the watch goes to sleep mode correctly. The procedure may slightly differ according to your Apple Watch model, but it is still available for all versions. In older iWatch versions, the setting is under the Do Not Disturb icon. After manually setting the sleep mode on, you can now use the digital crown to switch the display to normal.
Summary
The Apple Watch is a wearable that should stay on whenever it is around your wrist to make it easier to use. However, this is not achievable if it keeps locking itself. The Wrist Detection feature may be vital to enhance user privacy, but it is only efficient if it locks the screen when you remove the iWatch.
Suppose your device keeps locking when still in use; it suggests that there are issues with the Wrist Detection feature, or you have not worn it correctly. You can adjust the automatic lock settings and alter the band to ensure that it snugly fits. If nothing works, you can unpair and re-pair the iPhone and iWatch and update them to the latest software.
