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.

Your Macbook is unfortunately too old. I'm not sure what you've read, but Apple's own support article says: "Make sure that your Apple Watch is using watchOS 3, and your mid-2013 or newer Mac model is using macOS Sierra."

Apple's list of devices compatible with Auto Unlock.

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!

macOS 10.12.1 has just been released. Anybody still having problems with Auto Unlock should update. This update has a bug fix for the Auto Unlock problem:

About the macOS Sierra 10.12.1 update - Apple Support

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!

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

Apple - Apple Watch - Feedback

Ok, here is what I did but not sure what actually got the apple watch/mac "login" to work

There are 3 updates out for mac, apple watch and iPhone. Update all 3 ...duh!

I reset the bluetooth module on my mac by pressing "shift/option" and clicking the bluetooth icon on the mac. Click debug and reset the bluetooth module.

Then I needed to try and pair my iPhone 6s with my mac via bluetooth....this didn't work but somehow this seemed necessary to get the apple watch to switch the mac on...

I can still create a hotspot from my iPhone for my mac but the bluetooth from my iPhone to my mac doesn't seem to work. That said, the apple watch is now opening my mac....for the time being. I'm not holding my breath. Again this is reminiscent of my trials and tribulations on Windows

Also if you enable 'Unlock with iPhone' in the Apple Watch app's Passcode menu on the iPhone the unlock option will disappear from the Mac. Would be so nice for a warning here, I wasted so much time discovering this.