Approve with Apple Watch not working when lid on MacBook is closed

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Approve with Apple Watch not working when lid on MacBook is closed

My MacBook Air (mid 2019) is constantly plugged into dock. I use external monitor to do work. Since macbook's display is tiny compared to the external monitor, I like to keep the lid closed. What I noticed is: Unlocking my Mac works fine regardless of lid position (open or closed).

Approve app always works if lid is opened, as shown on picture:

Both Touch ID works and I am prompted on the watch itself to approve with double click

But, as soon as I close the lid, this happens:

Graphics change to show that Touch ID is not available anymore, but shows that watch is an option to approve. Unfortunately, nothing happens on the watch.

MacBook Air

Posted on Apr 17, 2020 8:52 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Teddy_B

Community Specialist

Apr 22, 2020 12:51 PM in response to Corunir

Hi Corunir.

I saw someone else reporting similar behavior the other day. They reported that if they clicked away from the Preferences window (e.g., to the main Safari window) and then back to the preferences window, that the password prompt on the Apple Watch showed up. Is that happening for you as well?

This is an issue on which you'll want to work directly with Apple Support.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Cheers.

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Answer 2

Teddy_B

Community Specialist

Apr 18, 2020 2:56 PM in response to Corunir

Hello Corunir and welcome to Apple Support Communities.

I see you are having an issue unlocking you Mac with your Apple Watch.

How to unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch - Apple Support

"If you're having difficulty getting Auto Unlock to work, try these solutions:

In Security & Privacy preferences, deselect ”Use your Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac” or ”Allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac.” Then restart your Mac and turn this setting back on.

Make sure that your Mac isn't using Internet sharing or screen sharing."

Cheers.

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Answer 3

Corunir Author

Level 1

12 points

Apr 18, 2020 3:47 PM in response to Teddy_B

Hello,

I think you might have misread my issue. Unlocking works perfectly, always.

Approving actions that prompt for password only works when macbook screen is opened. As soon as I close the lid it stops working, as shown in screenshots.

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Answer 4

Corunir Author

Level 1

12 points

Apr 22, 2020 1:36 PM in response to Teddy_B

Hi Jameson_H.

Yes, that indeed helps. It seems that the problem is isolated to Safari, because it works well in other applications. Autofill also shows some inconsistent behaviour.

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

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Approve with Apple Watch not working when lid on MacBook is closed

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