Use Apple Watch To Unlock Mac
Here’s what finally did work: Reboot the Mac in Safe Mode Log in and create a new admin user (‘Test’) Switch to Test Check the box for opening your Mac with the Watch twice Switch back to the main account and find it magically works now Delete the Test user and reboot. Let’s start with the Mac first. If you are a Mac user who also happens to own an Apple Watch, then you can use your Watch to quickly unlock your Mac. When this feature is enabled, as soon as you turn on Mac’s display or open its lid (in case of a MacBook), your Mac will communicate with your Apple Watch and unlock. How to Unlock a MacBook with Your Apple Watch 1. Go to Settings Security and Privacy 2. Uncheck ‘Disable automatic login’ and check ‘Allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac.’ Enter your password and click OK. When your Mac is asleep, simply lift the Apple Watch as if you were checking the. You normally have to enter a passcode to unlock your Mac, but if you have an Apple Watch you can get around that very easily. If you found this h. Unlocking a Mac With Your Apple Watch With that complete, you can now unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch. Just bring the watch near your Mac and you’ll feel a quick tap on your wrist. A message will appear on the watch screen that says the name of your computer and that it was unlocked by this Apple Watch.
Locking your Mac is a great security feature to protect important data when away from the computer. Depending on the Mac, you need to enter a password or use Touch ID to unlock the computer when back at your desk.
But if you’re an Apple Watch user, the wearable device can save that extra time. Let’s take a look at how to unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch.
What You’ll Need
For the automatic unlocking, you’ll need to have a mid-2013 or later Mac. The Apple Watch needs to have watchOS 3 or later installed. Your Mac and Apple Watch both need to be signed into the same iCloud account.
Also, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both the Mac and Apple Watch.
Your Apple ID will also need to have two-factor authentication enabled. If you’re not aware of that feature, it provides an extra layer of security. Even if someone knows your password, they still won’t be able to access your account.
With two-factor authentication enabled, you’ll need to provide two pieces of information whenever you sign into the account with a new device. Along with a password, you’ll need to provide a six-digit verification code sent to your phone number or shown on other signed-in devices.
While it does require a few steps to enable, it’s an extremely important safety measure to keep your private data safe.
Related: The Pros and Cons of Two-Factor Authentication Types and Methods
Set Up the Automatic Unlock Feature
It’s time to head to your Mac and select the Apple Menu and then System Preferences. Select Security & Privacy and then General.
To make changes, tap the lock on the bottom-left side next to Click the lock to make changes. You’ll need to enter the Mac’s administrator password.
After that, you can then select the Apple Watch under Use Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac. If you happen to own more than one Apple Watch, you can also select which ones to unlock your Mac.
Unlocking a Mac With Your Apple Watch
With that complete, you can now unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch. Just bring the watch near your Mac and you’ll feel a quick tap on your wrist. A message will appear on the watch screen that says the name of your computer and that it was unlocked by this Apple Watch.
On the Mac screen, you’ll see Unlocking with Apple Watch.
Just to note: when restarting your Mac, macOS does require that you enter the password for the computer. But after that, you can freely unlock the Mac with your Watch.
If you’re having problems with the automatic unlocking feature, there are a few things to try. First, make sure to place Watch close to the Mac, within one to two feet. It won’t unlock from across the room.
Next, try restarting both the Mac and Apple Watch. Also, double-check to make sure that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on the Mac and Bluetooth is turned on for the Apple Watch. If that doesn’t help, try to re-pair your Apple Watch to the iPhone.
Another Great Apple Watch Feature
The ability to quickly and easily unlock your Mac with the Apple Watch might not have been a feature you previously knew about. But it’s definitely a time-saving option that makes the Watch even more useful.
And if you’re looking to use your wearable device longer without needing a charger, make sure to take a look at some great ways to save battery life on your Apple Watch.
Auto Unlock Mac using your Apple Watch is a nice feature to avoid entering the password. This feature is available with all Apple Watch but limited to Macs manufactured in 2013 and later. For any reason, if you can’t unlock Mac with Apple Watch, there’s nothing to disappoint. There are certain things to keep in mind to get it to work correctly.
Apart from the pre-requisites, we have also penned down some fixes that may resolve the issue. Before you jump to the fixes, I’ll insist you go through some basic troubleshooting and then move to the advanced part of the post.
Unable to Unlock Mac with Apple Watch? Try below-given fixes
Important Notes:
- Make sure your Mac is of 2013 or later model
- Check whether your Apple Watch and Mac have the same iCloud account
- You’ll need two-factor authentication enabled and setup on both, Mac and Apple Watch
- You’ll need watchOS 3 or later and macOS Sierra or later to use Auto Unlock
- Your Mac and Apple Watch should have Passcode enabled and set up
Now that you have an idea of pre-required things let’s start with fixes if troubleshooting mentioned above hasn’t helped you.
#1. Disable Automatic Login on Mac
If you have enabled Automatic Login on Mac, you’ll need to disable it. To do so, open System Preferences by clicking the Apple logo, followed by clicking Users & Groups.
Click the lock icon at the bottom-left to make changes, enter the administrator password.
Then click on Login Options.
On the right side of the window, select Off from the dropdown menu beside Automatic Login.
Now check if you can unlock Mac using Apple Watch. If it doesn’t, keep reading.
#2. Boot Up Password required for Apple Watch and Mac
When you restart your Mac or Apple Watch, you need to enter the password before you can use the auto-unlock feature. This is identical to Touch ID on iPhone, which requires you to enter Passcode after you restart your iPhone. It is a security feature and not a bug. If you have restarted your Apple Watch, or Mac, or both, you need to enter the password/Passcode for the first time.
#3. Is your Apple Watch Paired Correctly?
To operate different devices flawlessly in the Apple ecosystem, you need to keep basic things in mind. Same iCloud account and proper pairing. Check whether you have paired your Apple Watch correctly with your iPhone.
Apple Watch Will Not Unlock
Without proper pairing, Auto-Unlock feature won’t work. Still, haven’t fixed the unlocking issue? Keep reading.
#4. Check Radios
Auto-Unlock feature requires Wifi and Bluetooth turned on. Check whether you have accidentally turned off the same on Apple Watch and your Mac.
Try unlocking your Mac with Apple Watch. Did it work? Nope, let’s try something else.
#5. Reset Radios on Mac and Apple Watch
Sometimes big problems have one of the tiniest solutions. Try resetting Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on Apple Watch and Mac.
On Apple Watch:
- Swipe up on the watch face to open the control center on Apple Watch
- Tap on Airplane Mode to switch off all radios
- After a minute, tap Airplane Mode again to restart radios.
On your Mac:
- Click Wifi icon → Turn Wi-Fi off
- Click Bluetooth → Turn Bluetooth off
After a minute, Turn both of them back ON and check if you can unlock your Mac using Apple Watch. If not, keep reading.
#6. Disable/Enable Allow Apple Watch to Unlock on your Mac
On your Mac, open System Preferences → Security & Privacy. By default, you’ll be on the General tab. If you are not, click on General tab and then uncheck the box beside Allow Apple Watch to unlock your Mac. Check again in few seconds to turn it back on.
#7. Disable Internet Sharing on Mac
Apple Watch Icloud Locked
Auto Unlock does not work with Internet Sharing enabled on your Mac. If it is enabled, make sure you disable it by going to System Preferences → Sharing and then, unchecking the box beside Internet Sharing in the left sidebar of the window.
#8. Update OS Your Mac and Apple Watch
Radios on Mac and Apple Watch usually receive updates when Apple find any bug in their connectivity. Check whether watchOS or macOS update is available. If it is, make sure you update it right away and then see if things are working usually.
Use Apple Watch To Unlock Machines
Update watchOS
Step #1. Open Watch app on your iPhone and then select My Watch tab at the bottom.
Step #2. Now, tap on General → Software Update.
Check out if there is an update waiting for you. Install the update if it’s there.
Update OS on your Mac
Step #1. Open Mac App Store and select Updates tab in the top left corner.
Step #2. If you find macOS software update, click to install it.
After the software update, you will, most likely, be able to overcome the issue.
#9. Restart devices
Restarting things is generally not required with Apple devices, yet it is always better to give a try when nothing seems to be helping. Restart your Apple Watch and Mac and then unlock them the first time with Passcode and password respectively. Now check again if you can open your Mac using Apple Watch. If it doesn’t, keep reading.
#10. Unpair and Re-pair your Apple Watch
I know this is really a tedious thing to do, but this mostly solves the most critical Apple Watch issue. On your iPhone launch the Watch app → My Watch and then tap the [Name]’s Apple Watch.
Next, tap on the Info button on the right and then, touch on Unpair Apple Watch. After it is unpaired, pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone again and check if Auto Unlock is working now. If everything fails to work, the last option is to get in touch with the Apple Support.
That’s all for now!
Wrapping up…
I hope some of the above fixes have helped you resolve your issue of unlocking Mac with Apple Watch. Apart from these fixes, if you have got any other way to get it done, don’t forget to share it.
You may also like to refer:
Do share your feedback with us in the comment section?
Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com who has a keen eye for news, rumors and all the unusual stuff that happens around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting contents on social media.
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