TOMMATTEL

Q: MBA and unlock with apple watch not working

I have a Mac Book Air Mid 2012 and I can't get the unlock with apple watch feature. Is there a minimum configuration to make it work?

MacBook Air, macOS Sierra (10.12), Microsoft Lync 14.0.2 and Cisco VPN

Posted on Sep 24, 2016 8:29 AM

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Q: MBA and unlock with apple watch not working

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  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Sep 24, 2016 9:37 AM in response to TOMMATTEL
    Level 10 (107,942 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 24, 2016 9:37 AM in response to TOMMATTEL

    Where does it go wrong, Tom?

    Can't you enable the feature in the System Preferences of your Mac, or does it simply not work?  Where does it go wrong?

     

     

     

    The system requirements are listed here:

    Automatically unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch - Apple Support

     

    Primarily, you need a Mac model mid 2013 or newer running macOS Sierra:

    You can check, if your Mac qualifies in the system report for your Mac:

    How to check if a Mac Supports Auto Unlock with the Apple Watch

     

    So, when in doubt, look at the system profile  > About This Mac, System Report and check the Network > Wi-Fi section, if the the installed card type for your network supports the Auto Unlock feature.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-09-23 at 12.08.13GMT.jpg

     

    The option to use automatic unlock may not be shown in the system preferences, if the the watch is not paired with the iPhone. If your Mac does qualify, but you still do not see the option, unpair and pair again the watch and the iPhone.

  • by dugbug,

    dugbug dugbug Sep 24, 2016 10:22 AM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Sep 24, 2016 10:22 AM in response to léonie

    I have the same problem, and it is a late 2013 iMac and 2015 MacBook (both support auto unlock).  I have enabled two-factor, enabled 'unlock this mac with your watch', rebooted both the watch and the mac, and .... nothing.  I even resigned into iCloud on the phone to ensure any two-factor setup was done there.

     

    Everything is on the same iCloud acct.  I did notice my watch is not paired with my mac, but it is with my iPhone.  I could never get the watch and mac over bluetooth to see each other. 

     

    In settings, the iMac sets it up fine but the setting does absolutely nothing.  On the MacBook, setting it up results in a forever-spinning 'Turning on...", and of course nothing works if you ignore that, lock the notebook and try to unlock it,, just a regular password field.

     

    Watch is series 0 with os 3