auto unlock with apple watch is not showing in my Security and Privacy window

My problem is, I see it and it works on my 2015 MBP, but "allow apple watch to unlock mac" does not show up in Security settings on my 2013 iMac. Buggy solution from Apple?

And this two factor authentication is ridiculous. If I'm already authenticated on my iMac, why do I have to re-authenticate, and then once again here in the browser when I signed in to comment? Overkill.

I have had this problem for days even though I had already dropped two step and started two-factor. I tried lots of other directions and then all of the above yesterday until I finally gave up and decided that maybe my late 2013 MacBook pro was too old and this was never going to work for me.

Then just now I got a notification to turn it on and "Continue" took me to the Security & Privacy/General and there finally was the checkbox for "Allow your Apple watch to unlock your Mac". So whatever was wrong was fixed on its own.

Anyway thanks for the suggestions even if they didn't work for me.

I'm hoping for some of this black magic myself. I've tried everything I've seen listed here, and still not seeing the option. The one thing I'm wondering is if my Early 2013 13" MacBook Pro Retina is just too old. Everything I've read has indicated all models from 2013-on should be capable (and mine has Bluetooth 4.0/LMP 0x6), but nowhere can I just find a simple list of model numbers (Axxxx) to tell for sure whether or not mine is compatible.

Anyhow, I've certainly wasted more time by now than I will ever actually save by not typing in my password.

If it's any consolation, even when Auto Unlock is available, it's a truly miserable affair.

• You first have to interact with an input device for it to kick in.
• It then takes approximately 2 seconds for the unlock to complete... about 5 times longer than typing my password manually.
• Many times (more than 50% in my experience), it gives up and presents you with a password box anyway.
• It requires 2-step authentication, which absolutely ruins your user experience for a questionable improvement in security. Personally, I think 2-step auth is little more than "Security Theatre", and I'm not the only one... https://www.schneier.com/essays/archives/2005/04/two-factor_authentic.html

You could try the app MacID, which auto unlocks your computer when you approach it, and locks it again when you leave. I found it performed poorly, and resulted in far too many unnecessary alerts on my Apple Watch, but you might have better luck.

Hi Jonathan,

Ok, so only Mac 2013 and later. My Macbook is from 2012, so apparently disqualified. What I'd like to know (if this info is available?) - is this an arbitrary decision or is there some technical barrier (my Macbook Pro does fine with handoff, Airdrop etc).

Having the same problems. Even when it did work, albeit for a short time, it took too long to open my mac. Really a half baked idea. Plus I agree with all the comments about "2 step verification and 2 FACTOR authentication"; talk about confusing. What? Did they hire a bunch of windows programers to institute this? The apple experience is getting more difficult and frustrating....Oh I miss Steve!

Just updated....I guess they're getting closer. The menu appears now but when I check the option to unlock my mac with my watch it just says ......setting up..... with the spinning wheel of death. Still not functioning. Back to the drawing board!

You're welcome! 🙂

I'm having the exact same issue. It was there when I first upgraded, and the unlock feature worked on my watch. But after two days it stopped working and the check box disappeared.

Keep sending feedback. One day they will get it right.

Apple - Apple Watch - Feedback

Check Keychain along with other stuff.
I went through all this with a senior support guy and even reinstalled Sierra, not a nuke and pave though. Could have been corrected at server level when things started to work right after a few days?
Things did change for me when I turnded off keychain for iOS which I don't use. I found a duplicate [NOT an old,legacy and sidelined file] for keychain too: possiblility of a password conflict of some kind?
I would suggest setting up a new keychain at least if one has this problem. Bear in mind also that keychain and your Mac's login are the same. I didn't realize this at one point really since the set up is so seamless intitially. Reply if this helps anybody.