Q: I can't enable auto Unlock on my MacBook Pro.

Hi there,

I wanted to get the auto unlock feature running on my MBP, but the checkbox doesn't appear in the security settings. (I have tried nearly everything but nothing works)

I'm using a 15" Retina MBP (early 2013) running Mac OS Sierra and an Apple Watch Series 2 running WatchOS 3.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013), macOS Sierra (10.12)

Posted on Sep 20, 2016 11:49 AM

I have this question too

léonie

Level 10 (108,884 points)

iCloud

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.

Posted on Sep 21, 2016 10:37 AM

Q: I can't enable auto Unlock on my MacBook Pro.

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Helpful answers

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by léonie,

léonie Sep 20, 2016 11:54 AM in response to Skaa34
Level 10 (108,884 points)

iCloud

Sep 20, 2016 11:54 AM in response to Skaa34

Do you have Watch OS 3 installed on your Apple Watch, and is Two-Factor Authentication established for the iCloud account associated with your Mac and Apple Watch?
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by stevejobsfan0123,

stevejobsfan0123 Sep 20, 2016 11:57 AM in response to Skaa34
Level 8 (44,007 points)

iPhone

Sep 20, 2016 11:57 AM in response to Skaa34

Also note that sometimes it can take a few minutes for that checkbox to appear, so if you do meet all the requirements, then try quitting System Preferences and checking again in a few minutes.
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by Skaa34,

Skaa34 Sep 20, 2016 12:20 PM in response to léonie
Level 1 (19 points)

Mac OS X

Sep 20, 2016 12:20 PM in response to léonie

As I stated above, Watch Series 2 with watchOS 3.

And I have enabled two factor authentication.
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by Skaa34,

Skaa34 Sep 20, 2016 12:21 PM in response to stevejobsfan0123
Level 1 (19 points)

Mac OS X

Sep 20, 2016 12:21 PM in response to stevejobsfan0123

And I have waited almost a week now and tried it several times...(used the public beta before the official release).
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by léonie,

léonie Sep 20, 2016 12:28 PM in response to Skaa34
Level 10 (108,884 points)

iCloud

Sep 20, 2016 12:28 PM in response to Skaa34

It will only work on a Mac model 2013 or newer, and the Apple Watch needs to be using a pass code.
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by Skaa34,

Skaa34 Sep 20, 2016 12:45 PM in response to léonie
Level 1 (19 points)

Mac OS X

Sep 20, 2016 12:45 PM in response to léonie

(as stated above MBP Retina 15" early 2013) and the Watch has a passcode...
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by John Galt,

John Galt Sep 20, 2016 12:46 PM in response to Skaa34
Level 9 (50,379 points)

Mac OS X

Sep 20, 2016 12:46 PM in response to Skaa34

Is everything connected to the same wireless network?

Restarted all devices including your wireless router?

In situations such as this, try signing out of iCloud on all your devices, then signing back in again. I realize that is inconvenient but you've already been waiting a week, so waiting any longer isn't likely to help.
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by Skaa34,Helpful

Skaa34 Sep 20, 2016 12:52 PM in response to John Galt
Level 1 (19 points)

Mac OS X

Sep 20, 2016 12:52 PM in response to John Galt

Have done this... but I think the problem is not my devices... I think Apple messed up the feature and my MBP isn't supported. There are quite a few fellow rMBP (early 2013) Users complaining about the same problem.

Anyone here with a rMBP 15" (early 2013) who doesn't have the same problem?
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by John Galt,

John Galt Sep 20, 2016 12:56 PM in response to Skaa34
Level 9 (50,379 points)

Mac OS X

Sep 20, 2016 12:56 PM in response to Skaa34

I suspect you may be correct about that. I would have imagined the selection would not even appear on unsupported models.

Unfortunately I don't have any early 2013 models to test.
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by Engmark,Helpful

Engmark Sep 20, 2016 1:26 PM in response to Skaa34
Level 1 (12 points)

Sep 20, 2016 1:26 PM in response to Skaa34

I have the same problem with my MBP early 2015
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by Vader74,

Vader74 Sep 20, 2016 7:11 PM in response to Engmark
Level 1 (4 points)

Mac OS X

Sep 20, 2016 7:11 PM in response to Engmark

I have the same issue with a 13" MBP early 2013. There is no option for enabling Apple Watch to unlock my MacBook. I even reinstalled MacOS Sierra twice to see if the issue was related to the Beta version vs. the offical release of MacOS
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by iPhon3Mast3r,

iPhon3Mast3r Sep 20, 2016 7:21 PM in response to Vader74
Level 1 (4 points)

Sep 20, 2016 7:21 PM in response to Vader74

I also tried the same thing and have checked multiple websites stating that 2013 and up MacBook is covered. I wonder if it some kind of bug or some other problem.
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by simonpua8,

simonpua8 Sep 20, 2016 7:47 PM in response to Engmark
Level 1 (4 points)

Sep 20, 2016 7:47 PM in response to Engmark

Try switch on your bluetooth from macbook. It happened to me this morning that the checkbox went missing until i switch on my bluetooth and it just pop up after that. Hope it helps!
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by Vader74,

Vader74 Sep 20, 2016 8:03 PM in response to simonpua8
Level 1 (4 points)

Mac OS X

Sep 20, 2016 8:03 PM in response to simonpua8

Thanks, I will try this once my OS has reinstalled. I figured it was time to erase my Macbook and start with a fresh install of the latest OS version.
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