I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong or what the issue is but my watch refuses to unlock my MacBook Neo. Both devices are up to date and I’ve reset both. I even removed Auto Unlock files to refresh it and it STILL does not unlock.
The thing is, my Apple Watch can unlock some aspects of my MacBook if I request it, but it doesn’t unlock on launch.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Unlocking laptop with watch
Apple’s documentation confirms that the behaviour you described is expected.
After you turn on, restart, or log out of your Mac, the first login must be done with your Mac password.
Apple Watch Auto Unlock applies afterward when you wake the Mac. (Apple Support)
Therefore, if your Watch unlocks the Mac after you have manually logged in once, there is nothing wrong with Auto Unlock.
The fact that your Watch can also approve administrator-password requests is a separate Apple Watch feature. (Apple Support)
If Auto Unlock also fails after that initial password login, Apple recommends turning off the Apple Watch unlock setting, restarting the Mac, turning it back on, and confirming that the Watch is unlocked and close to the Mac. Apple also recommends current macOS and watchOS versions.
Apple’s relevant documentation:
Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch
Automatically unlock Apple devices — Apple Platform Security
Apple’s documentation confirms that the behaviour you described is expected.
After you turn on, restart, or log out of your Mac, the first login must be done with your Mac password.
Apple Watch Auto Unlock applies afterward when you wake the Mac. (Apple Support)
Therefore, if your Watch unlocks the Mac after you have manually logged in once, there is nothing wrong with Auto Unlock.
The fact that your Watch can also approve administrator-password requests is a separate Apple Watch feature. (Apple Support)
If Auto Unlock also fails after that initial password login, Apple recommends turning off the Apple Watch unlock setting, restarting the Mac, turning it back on, and confirming that the Watch is unlocked and close to the Mac. Apple also recommends current macOS and watchOS versions.
Apple’s relevant documentation:
Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch
Automatically unlock Apple devices — Apple Platform Security
System Settings > Login Password > AppleWatch >
make sure your Apple Watch is listed and selected
More info => Unlock your Mac and approve requests with Apple Watch – Apple Support (AU)
Hi,
Did you slide on of your AppleWatch at System Preferences > login password?
Your AppleWatch is listed at System Preferences > Apple Account > Devices?
fvrgilevampiir wrote:
Done all of this and my laptop still wont be unlocked upon opening
OP also wrote " The thing is, my Apple Watch can unlock some aspects of my MacBook if I request it, but it doesn’t unlock on launch "
Define exactly would is meant by " on launch " ?
At the moment and under the information provided
" on launch " can mean several actions including turn on from off position , restart, or log out
On my M2 and M4 Desktop, M4 and M5 Laptops with a iWatch Series 11
The iWatch unlock works as it is designed to work ( as per Apple Specific Instructions )
Done all of this and my laptop still wont be unlocked upon opening
Yes and Yes!
My Apple Watch won't unlock my MacBook Neo on launch
