Unable to unlock MacBook Pro M1 with Apple Watch

I have followed the instructions in the article Unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch - Apple Support. I also looked at the Community for similar questions. I have checked all of the requirements and double checked I am logged In to my iCloud account on both (Mac and Apple Watch). I thought of following a suggestion to Sign out of iCloud and Sign in again, but I am not sure about saving all of the information on my Mac. I have tried to un-check the TouchID-Password Settings Apple Watch, Restart the Mac and check the Apple Watch setting but did not work. Would anybody have other suggestions? Thanks!


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)

Posted on Jan 28, 2025 10:27 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 28, 2025 9:29 PM

Reset Apple Watch unlocking the Mac


Make sure your Mac and your Apple Watch are using the same WiFi network

o Apple Watch -> Settings -> Wi-FI -> 2nd item is the WiFi name.

o Mac -> System Settings -> Wi-Fi -> 2nd item is the WiFi name.

Both should be using the same WiFi network


Make sure you have disabled “Log out automatically after inactivity.

System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Advanced (at the very bottom) -> Log out automatically after inactivity -> disable [_]


Got this from:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255814597


On your Mac:

o Turn off unlock with Apple Watch. System Settings -> Touch ID & Password -> Apple Watch -> your Apple Watch name -> Disable [_]


o Quit Settings.


o Sleep the Mac via Apple menu (upper left corner) -> Sleep



On your Apple Watch:

o Power off your Apple Watch. Apple Watch -> Settings -> General -> Shut down, tap power icon ⏻ in the upper right corner.


o Power on your Apple Watch. After waiting a minute or so for the power off to complete, press and hold the flat oval side button next to the Digital Crown.


o Confirm you have network access, by checking the weather. Once you can see the current weather move to the next step.


o Confirm Apple Watch Bluetooth is enabled. Apple Watch -> Settings -> Bluetooth -> Scroll down to the end -> Bluetooth [X]



On your Mac:

o Wake up your Mac.


o Turn on unlock with Apple Watch. System Settings -> Touch ID & Password -> Apple Watch -> your Apple Watch name -> Enable [X]


o Test to see if it’s fixed.

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 28, 2025 9:29 PM in response to mancinrob22

Reset Apple Watch unlocking the Mac


Make sure your Mac and your Apple Watch are using the same WiFi network

o Apple Watch -> Settings -> Wi-FI -> 2nd item is the WiFi name.

o Mac -> System Settings -> Wi-Fi -> 2nd item is the WiFi name.

Both should be using the same WiFi network


Make sure you have disabled “Log out automatically after inactivity.

System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Advanced (at the very bottom) -> Log out automatically after inactivity -> disable [_]


Got this from:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255814597


On your Mac:

o Turn off unlock with Apple Watch. System Settings -> Touch ID & Password -> Apple Watch -> your Apple Watch name -> Disable [_]


o Quit Settings.


o Sleep the Mac via Apple menu (upper left corner) -> Sleep



On your Apple Watch:

o Power off your Apple Watch. Apple Watch -> Settings -> General -> Shut down, tap power icon ⏻ in the upper right corner.


o Power on your Apple Watch. After waiting a minute or so for the power off to complete, press and hold the flat oval side button next to the Digital Crown.


o Confirm you have network access, by checking the weather. Once you can see the current weather move to the next step.


o Confirm Apple Watch Bluetooth is enabled. Apple Watch -> Settings -> Bluetooth -> Scroll down to the end -> Bluetooth [X]



On your Mac:

o Wake up your Mac.


o Turn on unlock with Apple Watch. System Settings -> Touch ID & Password -> Apple Watch -> your Apple Watch name -> Enable [X]


o Test to see if it’s fixed.

Jan 29, 2025 10:29 AM in response to BobHarris

Thank you so much for the complete instructions. Now it does work, although I need to check something. Previously, I was using the Mac in Clamshell mode (closed with an additional external monitor). when I clicked on the Apple Watch button to Turn On the Unlock with Apple Watch, the Mac was not able to Sync with the watch, so I opened the Mac and clicked again the Turn On button. It immediately Synced. I slept the Mac and after a few minutes tried to awake it, and the Apple watch unlocked the Mac perfectly. I need to check if this continues to work with the Mac back closed in Clamshell mode. Thank you again!

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Unable to unlock MacBook Pro M1 with Apple Watch

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.