Big Sur - Unlocking with Apple Watch

Besides the horrendously slow boot - I have this problem as well with my Series 3. I'm really regretting this OS upgrade.

It doesn't matter whether the settings are unlocked on the iMac or not, or whether the phone is unlocked or not. I'm using an iPhone12 Pro Max - and backing it up to my Mac, so the computer knows it exists and is trusted.

I had the same problem on MacBook Pro 15 2018 and Apple Watch Series 4. I did everything according to the instructions but it didn't work at all but maybe It had some influence on my next try.

I solved the problem by following these steps:

1) Create a new user account on your Mac.

2) Switch to a new user account and login with the same apple id as on the main account.

3) Go to the system preference and try to enable "Apple watch unlock". I had to try it two times.

4) If "Apple watch unlock" was successfully enabled you can switch to your main account. If not try to improvise or some other solution.

5) On your main account enable "Apple watch unlock". I had to try it twice and then it starts to work.

Well, the instructions suggested as much (though, I agree, not very clearly). Unpairing the Watch is the only way to force a restore from backup.

It's possible that worked out for you differently. In the past, I have had several of these Watch disconnects and yes, rebooting each device (sometimes a couple of times) sometimes got things in order, but not this time. I guess the Watch gets confused in between my MBP, my Mac Pro and the different user accounts that use the unlock feature. We'll see how long we'r good for...

So, I updated my MacBook Pro 16in. 2019, my iPhone 10R and my Apple Watch Series 5 today to the latest versions of OS and iOS. After futzing around a bit, I got my Apple Watch to unlock the MBPro. That worked when I put the computer to sleep and when I closed and opened the cover. (basically the same thing)

I tried going to the Lock Screen but then I had to use Touch ID as the Watch didn't come up as an option. It still worked when I put the computer to sleep and woke it up again. I thought, GREAT! It's working again!

Not so fast…

After logging in a second user on the MBPro my Watch stopped unlocking it again, the same exact problem as before updating to Big Sur. So, after all the months of working withs Apple Advisors and all the updates and new operating systems, the problem STILL exists.

Once I finally got it working, it started unlocking the computer when I was actually in the next room. I'm turning it off. It's one of those little conveniences that sounds good, but turns out to be more trouble than it's worth. Especially, since Apple apparently has no interest in fixing it.

I have the same question

Doing the keychain stuff from the answers here didn't work for me. Signing out and back in to my Apple ID did: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252033411

Quite easy or me:

• go to settings > security&privacy
• check for 'use apple watch to unlock'
• apple watch passcode should be enabled

Updated watch series 4 to WatchOS 7.1 and MacMini 2018 to Big Sur

no unlock possible

advice please

I've the same problem!

bartłomiej post worked for me too. macBook air 2105 with Big Sur and apple watch 4 series with wathcOS 7.1

Big thx

try bartłomiej post. it worked for me. it's a little complicated but works. at least for me it worked

Same Issue here, Mac OS Big Sur 11.0.1 (20B29) on a MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018).

The Apple Watch is a Series 4 with WatchOS 7.1 (18R590)

This worked for me. It took 2 tries, though. Thanks!

Thank you for your help. I'm trying to figure out what is "Keychain Access", as my Macbook language isn't English. How can I find that setting?