Huub Toussaint
Level 1 (13 points)
Apple Watch

Q: not able to set auto unlock option is not available in system preferences

Update iMac late 2015 to macOs Sierra.

Updated the Apple Watch to WatchOs3

Removed two step authentication and upgraded to two factor authentication.

Tried to set up Auto Unlock in system preferences/Security&Privacy panel.

However the option "Allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac" does not appear in the panel.

What other hoops should I jump through to get this feature going? Thanks in advance for the help.....

Posted on Sep 21, 2016 7:19 AM

by Joseph Delaney,Solvedanswer
Joseph Delaney Joseph Delaney
Level 3 (853 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Reboot the Apple Watch (hold in the side button until you see the "power off" slider). After  it restarts, you should see a message that it can't connect to icloud and that you need to enter your password again on the phone. Then the phone should ask for your icloud password (even though you did it correctly before). After you do that, it may take a minute but you should see the option to unlock with the watch show up.

Posted on Sep 21, 2016 8:15 AM

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Huub Toussaint

Q: not able to set auto unlock option is not available in system preferences

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  • Helpful answers

  • by léonie,Helpful

    léonie léonie Sep 21, 2016 8:40 AM in response to Huub Toussaint
    Level 10 (108,906 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 21, 2016 8:40 AM in response to Huub Toussaint

    Are your Apple Watch and the Mac on the same Wi-Fi network?  Sometimes the watch might be using a different network - its s trying to find a network, if the iPhone is not available.

    Is your watch set up with a passcode?

     

     

    After you switched to two-factor authentication, did you sign out of iCloud and back again, on both the paired iPhone and the Mac?

     

    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 Huub Toussaint,Helpful

    Huub Toussaint Huub Toussaint Sep 21, 2016 8:37 AM in response to Huub Toussaint
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 21, 2016 8:37 AM in response to Huub Toussaint

    I just logged out from iCloud (thanks for suggesting) both on iMac and iPhone

    Logged in on both devices

    still no possibility to start Auto Unlock

     

    all other requirements fulfilled....

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Sep 21, 2016 8:15 AM in response to Huub Toussaint
    Level 10 (108,906 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 21, 2016 8:15 AM in response to Huub Toussaint

    That should be working!

     

    You have wrist detection enabled on your watch, and it is properly charged?

    Have you tested, if the  two-factor authentication.  is working, after you upgraded to it?  It may take a while, until it is recognized.  Test this, by signing into www.icloud.com with your AppleID on different web browsers, Safari, Firefox. That should prompt you for an authentication.

  • by Joseph Delaney,Solvedanswer

    Joseph Delaney Joseph Delaney Sep 21, 2016 8:15 AM in response to Huub Toussaint
    Level 3 (853 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 21, 2016 8:15 AM in response to Huub Toussaint

    Reboot the Apple Watch (hold in the side button until you see the "power off" slider). After  it restarts, you should see a message that it can't connect to icloud and that you need to enter your password again on the phone. Then the phone should ask for your icloud password (even though you did it correctly before). After you do that, it may take a minute but you should see the option to unlock with the watch show up.

  • by Huub Toussaint,

    Huub Toussaint Huub Toussaint Sep 21, 2016 8:40 AM in response to Joseph Delaney
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 21, 2016 8:40 AM in response to Joseph Delaney

    getting a bit dizzy due to hoop-hopping.

    checked two-factor authentication: ok!

    rebooted apple watch

    indeed the iPhone again asked for a password and a new authentication code

    confirmation message received that I now use iMessage on an apple watch

    rebooted the Mac and YES!!!

    finally allowed to unlock my Mac with my Apple Watch

    It now works. Thanks for all the help. 

    hmmmm a bit un-Apple like to require hoop-hopping-mode to make something work.