Many Apple Watch owners overlook its built-in features that enhance device control and security, such as unlocking iPhones and Macs or acting as remote controls, provided the right settings are enabled.
Apple Watch owners often overlook a few built-in features that can make the device more useful than a fitness tracker and notification screen. Apple’s own support material says the watch can act as a convenient control point for other Apple hardware, including Apple TV, iPhone and Mac, provided the devices are signed in to the same Apple ID and are on the same Wi-Fi network. The Remote app on the watch can pair with Apple TV for basic playback control, while an iPhone can also function as a remote through Control Centre. Apple’s support guidance also notes that these features depend on the right settings being enabled on each device.
The security-related features are often the most practical. According to Apple’s support page, an Apple Watch can unlock a nearby iPhone when Face ID cannot easily be used, such as when the user’s face is covered, and the watch sends a haptic alert when the unlock occurs. The same general approach works in reverse if the user enables the matching setting on the watch. MacWorld and MacRumors both describe the Mac version of the feature as Apple’s Auto Unlock system, which wakes a Mac and signs the user in when the watch is close enough and properly configured.
Apple’s documentation and third-party guides also make clear that setup is straightforward, but only if the prerequisites are met. The devices must share an Apple account, have current software and keep the relevant Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections available for proximity checks. Apple Toolbox notes that when Auto Unlock fails on a Mac, the usual fixes are checking compatibility, range and settings before looking for deeper problems. In practice, that means these features are less about novelty than reliability: once enabled, they can remove a few small but frequent friction points from daily use.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
