Albertjr1997

Q: Apple watch Auto-unlock on MacOS Sierra

I'm using an iMac of 2014 with MacOS Sierra, an iPhone 5S with iOS 10.0.1 and an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 installed. I also have a passcode on my watch, the two-factor authentication enabled and the handoff turned on as well. I don't know why but the icon to enable the un-lock with the apple watch isn't shown on my iMac.

By the way, when enabling the two-factor authentication, I changed my iCloud password but not my unlocking one, I think. I'm not sure, something strange.

Any idea?

 

Thanks.

iMac with Retina 5K display, macOS Sierra (10.12)

Posted on Sep 21, 2016 4:31 AM

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Q: Apple watch Auto-unlock on MacOS Sierra

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  • by pmca89,

    pmca89 pmca89 Sep 29, 2016 10:01 PM in response to ssssirhc
    Level 1 (84 points)
    Sep 29, 2016 10:01 PM in response to ssssirhc

    Have you tried unpairing your watch and repairing? Worked for me and another poster.

  • by pmca89,

    pmca89 pmca89 Sep 29, 2016 10:02 PM in response to Albertjr1997
    Level 1 (84 points)
    Sep 29, 2016 10:02 PM in response to Albertjr1997

    Try unpairing and pairing your watch.

  • by DarranPotter,

    DarranPotter DarranPotter Sep 30, 2016 12:13 AM in response to pmca89
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 30, 2016 12:13 AM in response to pmca89

    Yes and just tried again. The tell-tale bad sign was that after all of the re-pairing you have to re-enable the "allow your apple watch to unlock your mac" setting in sys prefs. Took 4 attempts for the mac to see my watch even though me, my iphone and imac are sat net to each other.

     

    I'm still wondering if this is a wifi router compatibility issue. For the record I'm using an ASUS DSL-N66U with both 2.4 and 5Ghz radios linked to a single SSID. I've also tried splitting them apart to ensure mac and phone on exactly the link, either 2.4 or 5ghz but this didnt make any difference. In all cases have strong signal and have tried wifi scanning to look for interference etc.

  • by pmca89,

    pmca89 pmca89 Sep 30, 2016 10:58 AM in response to DarranPotter
    Level 1 (84 points)
    Sep 30, 2016 10:58 AM in response to DarranPotter

    I would not think that would be the issue. As I have an AirPort Extreme. is your network hidden?

  • by JonSticklen,

    JonSticklen JonSticklen Oct 1, 2016 10:52 AM in response to Albertjr1997
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Oct 1, 2016 10:52 AM in response to Albertjr1997

    I just installed Sierra on my iMAC, and on my MBA.

     

    I have watchOS 3 on my watch.

     

    When I try go to Security & Privacy/General on either one, and try to click APPLE YOUR APPLE WATCH TO UNLOCK YOUR MAC, I get a warning message to turn off Two Stage Verification on my iCloud account. And came back (to either) and got the same message.

     

    Then I tried to turn back on two stage verification, and was told I cannot do that until three days has passed.

     

    I am actually pretty frustrated with this. Very not-Apple-like...

     

    So I will wait three days and try it all again.

     

    Is there a latency that in iCLOUD that is causing this or what??

     

      JHS

  • by georgeminors,

    georgeminors georgeminors Oct 2, 2016 2:08 AM in response to DarranPotter
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Oct 2, 2016 2:08 AM in response to DarranPotter

    I think I got mine finally WORKING!

     

    It seems the Apple watch could have bluetooth interference from other bluetooth devices such as your wireless keyboard or mouse. Normally when I sit at my desk, the keyboard and trackpad (bluetooth) are between my iMac and my Apple Watch. With this position, the watch unlock works around 10% of the time.

     

    If I wake the computer with my trackpad or keyboard while holding my wrist near the bottom right corner of my iMac (yeah silly I know), then it seems to unlock at least 90% of the time no issues.

     

    Apple! Needs some adjustment I think!

  • by DarranPotter,

    DarranPotter DarranPotter Oct 2, 2016 3:10 AM in response to georgeminors
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 3:10 AM in response to georgeminors

    doesn't surprise me as apple have history with Bluetooth!

     

    The trackpad that was supplied with my iMac rendered the wireless keyboard unusable because of interference. I eventually gave up and just switched it off and now OK. Sad but I didn't really miss the trackpad to be honest.

  • by technbiomac,

    technbiomac technbiomac Oct 3, 2016 2:00 PM in response to ssssirhc
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Oct 3, 2016 2:00 PM in response to ssssirhc

    I had problem finally what works was see my phone bluetooth  on my mac (bluetooth panel) and put off the box on disable automatic log ....activate  the box for apple watch.... restart..after activate the disable automatic log in..hope its help....

  • by Wilesy Stylesy,

    Wilesy Stylesy Wilesy Stylesy Oct 4, 2016 12:39 PM in response to Albertjr1997
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 4, 2016 12:39 PM in response to Albertjr1997

    I got mine working agin. This is what happened:

     

    • It was working the very first attempt.
    • However, I took my computer into the Apple Store for a repair for a USB problem
      • They said they just did a complete fresh install
    • I restored my backup
    • I tried to enable Apple Watch unlock, and got the same "your Mac was unable to communicate with your Apple watch"
    • Found this thread and followed some advice:
      • unpair and repair the watch
      • sign out of two-factor authentication, then I signed back in
      • Signed out of iCloud and signed back in
      • Attempts to check the box failed 3/4 times.
      • Another attempt with my Apple Watch app layout screen on, it worked! My computer I moved from my desk, to my lap
      • NB The apple watch was repaired from a backup and not a fresh start (seriously can't be arsed with reinstalling all the apps), so I was lucky.
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