iOS 15 to Allow Apple Watch Users to Issue Siri Voice Commands Without Unlocking iPhone

Users will soon be able to issue voice commands for Siri without having to unlock your phone when iOS 15 comes around — so long as they have an Apple Watch.

According to a new report from 9to5Mac, the upcoming mobile platform is now available as a beta release for developers, expanding the “Unlock with Apple Watch” feature that launched with iOS 14.5.

Currently, if your iPhone is locked and you ask Siri to change any system settings or read a message, it will first prompt you to unlock your iPhone using Face ID or Touch ID. This beats the point of asking Siri to change any system setting or reading a notification as you would still be forced to use your phone.

Apple has updated the feature’s explanation to say that you’ll be able to use the connection between your phone and your Watch to issue Siri commands. You’ll no longer have to unlock your phone with a Face ID or a password first, but your Watch must be nearby, and it has to be unlocked.

“Use the secure connection to your Apple Watch for Siri requests or to unlock your iPhone when an obstruction, like a mask, prevents Face ID from recognizing your Face,” Apple explains. “Your watch must be passcode protected, unlocked, and on your wrist close by.”

This is a small change from Apple, but one that will make Siri that much more useful, especially since the voice assistant can now process many tasks on-device without an active internet connection.

iOS 15 is expected to roll out this fall.