Iaeen
Level 1 (22 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Setting up Auto Unlock with Apple Watch

Is there a list of hardware that supports Auto Unlock with the Apple Watch on macOS Sierra? I've found a walkthrough on 9to5 mac that explains how to set it up, but the option simply doesn't appear in the Security & Privacy settings of my late 2012 iMac.

 

It looks like this is pretty common from the comments on the 9to5 article, but I have found no official explanation from Apple on why this option isn't showing up.

iMac, macOS Sierra (10.12)

Posted on Sep 20, 2016 11:28 AM

by John Galt,Solvedanswer
John Galt John Galt
Level 9 (50,389 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Quoting from the Apple Watch User Guide:

 

If you have a Mac (2013 or later) with macOS Sierra, your Apple Watch can instantly unlock your Mac when it wakes from sleep.

Posted on Sep 20, 2016 11:38 AM

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Iaeen

Q: Setting up Auto Unlock with Apple Watch

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  • Helpful answers

  • by John Galt,Solvedanswer

    John Galt John Galt Sep 20, 2016 11:38 AM in response to Iaeen
    Level 9 (50,389 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 20, 2016 11:38 AM in response to Iaeen

    Quoting from the Apple Watch User Guide:

     

    If you have a Mac (2013 or later) with macOS Sierra, your Apple Watch can instantly unlock your Mac when it wakes from sleep.

  • by léonie,Helpful

    léonie léonie Sep 20, 2016 11:43 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 10 (108,906 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 20, 2016 11:43 AM in response to John Galt

    Quoting from the Apple Watch User Guide:

     

    If you have a Mac (2013 or later) with macOS Sierra, your Apple Watch can instantly unlock your Mac when it wakes from sleep.

    It can, but it does not always. I have to keep waving the watch up and down, so it will recognize that raised wrist.

  • by terriblename,

    terriblename terriblename Sep 20, 2016 10:45 PM in response to Iaeen
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 20, 2016 10:45 PM in response to Iaeen

    I have a late 2013 model MacBook and the "use apple watch to unlock" was in settings as it was supposed to be, however, when I put in my password it told me that I needed two factor authentication (as opposed to two step authentication which is what I had active).  When I switched to two factor authentication the option "use apple watch to unlock" no longer appeared in settings.

  • by abbjoer,

    abbjoer abbjoer Sep 21, 2016 5:50 AM in response to terriblename
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 21, 2016 5:50 AM in response to terriblename

    Try logging out of iCloud on your mac, and then logging back in. That worked for me in terms of getting the option back.

  • by Gideonviv,

    Gideonviv Gideonviv Sep 21, 2016 7:59 AM in response to Iaeen
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 21, 2016 7:59 AM in response to Iaeen

    I have the same problem, please help

  • by Tomjh,

    Tomjh Tomjh Sep 21, 2016 11:53 PM in response to Iaeen
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 21, 2016 11:53 PM in response to Iaeen

    Yep I have the same issue and i've updated all my devices to Sierra and have the latest kit but auto unlock with apple watch isn't a preference given to me on my mac. Why is this?

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Sep 22, 2016 12:54 AM in response to Tomjh
    Level 10 (108,906 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 22, 2016 12:54 AM in response to Tomjh

    The Apple Watch guide is not not precise enough:

    Quoting from the Apple Watch User Guide:

     

    If you have a Mac (2013 or later) with macOS Sierra, your Apple Watch can instantly unlock your Mac when it wakes from sleep.

    See this additional document:

    The Apple Support document says a mid 2013 Mac is required - an early 2013 would not qualify.

     

    See the requirements here:  Automatically unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch

     

    Use Auto Unlock with any Mac and Apple Watch that meets the Continuity system requirements:

    • Apple Watch (1st generation), Apple Watch Series 1, or Apple Watch Series 2 using iOS 10
    • Mid-2013 or newer Mac using macOS Sierra
    Make sure that your devices are set up as follows:
    • Your Mac has both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on.
    • Your Apple ID is using two-factor authentication.
    • Your Mac and Apple Watch are signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID.
      On your Mac, choose Apple menu () > System Preferences, then click iCloud.
      On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app, then go to General > Apple ID.
    • Your Apple Watch is using a passcode.
      On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app, then tap Passcode.
    • Your Mac has ”Allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac” selected in Security & Privacy preferences.

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Sep 22, 2016 1:03 AM in response to léonie
    Level 10 (108,906 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 22, 2016 1:03 AM in response to léonie

    If your Mac qualifies - mid 2013 or newer, make sure that you are really using the newer two factor authentication and not the older two-step authentication.

     

    Sign into iCloud with the same AppleID on all devices. If your AppleID id an older ID (@me.com, @mac.com) use the same version on all devices, even if @me.com, @mac.com, icloud@com should be treated the same for all purposes.

     

    If you need to upgrade from two-step authentication  to two factor authentication,  sign out of iCloud on all devices and sign back in again. Then restart your watch and unlock it while you are close to your iPhone and the iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi. enter the verification code fore iCloud on your iPhone, if prompted.

  • by i.r.mac,

    i.r.mac i.r.mac Sep 23, 2016 11:49 AM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 23, 2016 11:49 AM in response to léonie

    THIS REALLY WORKED! Thanks!!!

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Sep 23, 2016 11:50 AM in response to i.r.mac
    Level 10 (108,906 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 23, 2016 11:50 AM in response to i.r.mac

    Great! You're welcome.