Mac not unlocking after watchOS 7 update

If you follow @BobHarris or @randyj1964's instructions and do not have that the Shared folder, then something is not configured correctly with your iCloud account. The folder hold data for Auto Unlock and AirDrop.

You could try enabling/using AirDrop and see if the folder is created. Failing that you might need to sign out of iCloud, restart, sign back in. That is what I'd do.

This worked for me but I had to turn off Handoff in three places: in System Preferences/General on my Mac, in Settings/General/Airplay & Handoff on my iPhone and in General in the Watch app on my iPhone. I didn't have to delete anything or unpair/pair my Apple Watch. Thanks!

I had tried everything else (including switching off Handoff) easier, to no avail.

1) Deleting all the keychain items, then 2) switching off System Preferences , Security & Privacy, "Use your Apple Watch ..." and on again, did help. I did not deactivate Handoff.

I think it was the Keychain items (step 1).

I think, step 2 was just necessary to make macOS contact the Apple Watch again.

Hi jd2020, deleting the Keychain items didn't work for me despite several attempts. Turning off Handoff on all three devices has worked several times.

Unpairing/pairing my Apple Watch also does the trick but that takes much longer and seems quite drastic.

Unfortunately, the "Unlock Mac with Apple Watch" feature stops working after a while but turning off Handoff on all three devices works. It's coming up to 24 hours since the last fail. Fingers crossed.

The problem only happens on my 2020 iMac. It works fine on my 2018 MacBook Pro. Both devices are running Catalina.

Ooops. The first link should be this, https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206995, which is the Unlock article mentioned on that page. Continuity is the collective name for all the services shown here https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204681. If you look at the page for Universal Clipboard, it explains Handoff is required, as opposed to Unlock Mac.

Bluetooth and Wifi ON is required for most (or all?) Continuity features including Unlock . If youre getting that request, then you might not have a good connection between devices, which might be part of the overall problems you're having. If you can say "yes" to the Bluetooth connection that might be good. Also, there is a process to "reset Bluetooth Module" on your Mac, here: https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/reset-mac-bluetooth-module/ (you'll have to re-pair devices that appear in the BT menu)

Glad things are otherwise working for you. Fingers crossed.

I have seen this issue: My watch (and phone) ends up on the wrong WiFi (like my neighbors open Comcast connection) and the watch is not seen by the computer on its own WiFi. Switching in and out of airplane usually causes the phone and watch to switch back to the same WiFi. So this could be a problem of unlocking.

I just want to point out that are reports that interference related to USB 3/USB-C ports on Macs can interfere with unlocking. If the basic steps (turn off unlock-restart-turn on, toggling Allow Handoff) and Keychain surgery don't help you, try unplugging USB-C devices.

I have a MacBook and Mac mini. Watch unlock works flawlessly on the MacBook (nothing plugged in), but sometimes fails for a while on the mini (many things plugged in).

I agree with @Gruber... death by a thousand cuts.

My watch stopped unlocking my MacBook Air after I installed the Monterey update (approx mid-Jan 2022). Nothing else changed with my iPhone or Watch, both are new as of mid-summer 2021 and up to date. I tried multiple varied suggestions and restarting everything, but nothing worked until I found the above instructions today. I went through step 4 to identify the "Auto Unlock: XXXX" listing, but was hesitant to delete everything, so I only deleted the two listed for the MacBook, then I went to Preferences to enable auto-unlock, checked the box, then clicked the lock to open and save the change and my watch prompted me to double-click to accept it. I then locked the Mac and closed it a minute. When I reopened the Mac, it unlocked with my Watch, and I can see the Keychain Access added two new MacBook items. So, you may not need to delete everything listed above to still have success in clearing out whatever caused confusion in the system. Thank you to stoska992 for the assistance!

Apple support fixed problem where Apple Watch was not unlocking MBP.

System pref > Privacy > uncheck and then check box for Apple Watch unlock

It's now working

Hi Smithchops,

I understand your frustration. I was like that for several months.

Have you tried the options from my post on Mar 24? Do you have Handoff switched on on your Mac, iPhone and Apple Watch? Do you have a USB hub or any cables connected?

After reading Jondagle's post on 2 Apr and jd2020 subsequent post, I realised that my USB-C hub could also be the source of the problem. Since moving it to from underneath my iMac screen to about 10 cm behind it (limited by the length of the USB-C cable) I haven't had any more problems.

Hey justinw11,

Congratulations! That worked for me a couple of times but it was only temporary. The problem unfortunately returned. What solved it was turning Handoff off and on on all three devices. I still half expect the problem to return but it has worked seamlessly for about a month. Fingers crossed.

I got a brand new Macbook Pro and my watch was unlocking the screen. When I upgraded to Monterey 12.2.1I started getting an error message. I had also updated my watchos, so it could have something to do with that as well. Anyway, I tried all the autounlock Keychain fixes and nothing worked until I unpaired my watch.

Bought my 14" MacBookPro last Nov. Currently OS 12.2.1 & WatchOS 8.4.2 unlocking MacBookPro just fine. I had the glitch you describe after an earlier upgrade. The fix is

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251803595?answerId=253458029022#253458029022

Rudy A-Traxx, jeanfromhamlin, have you tried turning Handoff on your Mac, iPhone and Watch off and on?

Tim3g, This was super helpful!. I had to unpair my watch and paired it again. Now my new Mac can unlock from my watch. No need to reset your watch. Just need to unpair.