Apple Watch no longer unlocking Mac after Big Sur upgrade

Update to watchOS 7.1, as it has a fix for unlocking Macs

If that does not work, it should, but if it does not work, then read the following threads

Check out this thread on fixing Apple Watch unlocking Mac

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

Then follow with this thread

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251826134?answerId=253504359022#253504359022

And

I also found that it took awhile for the iCloud Keychain records to propagate and merge on all the systems. More so when you have multiple devices sharing the keychain (I have 4 Macs, the iPhone, and the Apple Watch). I followed both of the above threads, but it was not reliably working until the next day, when I tried again. And I did have to click the enable check box twice the next day, but then it stuck.

And this thread says they also had to toggle the Apple Watch -> Settings -> Siri -> Listen for "Hey Siri" option off then on

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251803595?answerId=253782332022#253782332022

Hints (you will understand when you read the first and second threads):

Applications -> Utilities -> Keychain Access

Finder -> Go menu -> ~/Library/Sharing/AutoUnlock

System Preferences -> iCloud -> Keychain

LdyGatr wrote:

No replies? Does Apple support monitor?

This is a user-to-user technical support forum. You only get to talk to fellow Apple users, who volunteer their free time.

If you want Apple Support there is a "Contact Support" link at the top of this page.

I had to do it more than once.

I also found that I had to let it sit overnight, so that all my iCloud connected devices had a chance to sort through all the keychain changes. I have 4 Mac, an iPhone and an Apple Watch sharing my keychain. It apparently takes a while to settle down.

And then the next day I still had to click on the Enable checkbox twice to get it to stick.

There are people that have had to unplug Thunderbolt docks.

There are people that had to logout of iCloud, and then log back in.

There are people that have had to reboot the Mac and power cycle the Apple Watch.

This is all VooDoo, and I would personally hope Apple actually resolves it. I did take the time to file a bug report via the Developer website, but that was before watchOS 7.1, which is suppose to address this, but not for everyone, and as far as I know they assumed that fixed it.

Since I got my Mac unlocking working, I do not have any new input for a bug report.

I just accidentally discovered that if you hit escape, get a black screen and wake it up again, it now works - watch will unlock the MacBook. I also just spoke with Apple - they are aware of the issue.

LdyGatr wrote:

I did not see the steps explained available to me. I do not see this "In "View", enable "Show Invisible Items""

No replies? Does Apple support monitor?

I did not see the steps explained available to me. I do not see this "In "View", enable "Show Invisible Items""