Among the interesting features on iOS is to unlock the iPhone by only using the Apple Watch if the Face ID system cannot identify the face because of wearing a face mask for example. For Android users, the same feature will be present after this feature will be introduced through Android 13 later.
This Nearby Unlock feature was discovered by Mishaal Rahman on the latest Google Play Services 22.24.13. Previously this feature leaked using the name Smart Unlock but will now use the name Nearby Unlock. Through this feature the device can be unlocked using a Wear OS smartwatch when the face and fingerprint scanning system of the Android device is not in use.
The watch needs to be unlocked and also worn on the hand for this feature to be used. After the unlock is done, the user can re -lock the smartphone through the smartwatch. This feature can be deactivated if the user feels it is not very secure.
Nearby Unlock is different from the previous Smart Lock which will not lock the device as long as a trusted device such as a smart watch is detected nearby. With the same features as iOS, Android users will no longer feel left behind.
