Level 1

18 points

Apple Watch won't unlock MacBook when it's docked

I have a mid-2014 15" MacBook Pro and an original Apple Watch, all on the latest OS.

When I'm using the laptop normally (i.e. opened) the Apple Watch will unlock it correctly.

At my desk I have the laptop in a Henge dock, meaning it's closed and I have an external display, keyboard and mouse. When it is in this configuration, unlocking with the watch doesn't work. I do see the "Unlocking with Apple Watch" message and the spinner for a couple of seconds and then it prompts me for the password.

Anyone else seeing this?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Sierra (10.12)

Posted on Sep 23, 2016 6:44 AM

26 replies

Jan 28, 2018 1:49 PM in response to xaun

Thanks. I wrote a ticket to the Apple Watch team. Guess we'll see if this gets resolved.

Jan 10, 2018 7:03 AM in response to socket70

I have a USB C hub connected to my MacBook Pro. The only way the Apple Watch unlock works with the hub is by NOT using the USB 3 on the hub. As soon as I switch my external hard drive from USB 3 to a USB 2 port it works perfectly again.

Hope this helps! 🙂

By the way, I'm using a 15inch MacBook Pro with touch bar 2017, High Sierra 10.13.2 and my Apple Watch is Series 3 with Cellular.

Apr 19, 2018 9:44 AM in response to wwiaftm

Great hint! Thanks.

I had the same issue of Watch not unlocking a 13" 2015 MBP when the lid was closed and connected to external monitors. I have a USB Hub plugged into this set up also. I unplugged this hub and unlock works flawlessly. Interestingly, if I plug my USB mouse back in, unlock still works. So this is definitely an issue caused by having the USB Hub connected

Oct 23, 2016 2:31 PM in response to socket70

Same thing is happening to me, although I don't see the "Unlocking..." message, I just get a password prompt.

Like you I'm using a Henge Dock as well but when it's undocked it works fine.

Snoop Dogg

Level 4

1,502 points

Oct 24, 2016 8:55 PM in response to JulianHarper

Try updating to macOS 10.12.1 (just released today). It has fixes for Auto Unlock that should address this.

socket70 Author

Level 1

18 points

Oct 25, 2016 11:34 AM in response to Snoop Dogg

I updated to 10.12.1 this morning, but so far it still doesn't work. Same results as before.

etkal

Level 1

24 points

Oct 25, 2016 12:29 PM in response to socket70

Same here, MacBook Pro Retina 15" Mid 2014 in Henge dock w/ macOS 10.12.1. Works when undocked, not when docked, though it has worked when docked in the past. My MacBook Pro Retina 13" Early 2015 at home works ok in its Henge dock.

I've tried enabling disabling handoff, airdrop, etc, etc, etc, as recommended, but since it works sometimes it's obviously nothing in my configuration.

Nov 3, 2016 11:58 AM in response to socket70

Just backing up the thread here. I have the same problem with an original watch and a MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015) and Henge dock. I do get the unlock attempt when docked but have to enter my password. I set up the unlock with watch feature while docked and it did work for a few days. The watch does unlock when not docked.

socket70 Author

Level 1

18 points

Jan 3, 2017 6:47 AM in response to socket70

Just to keep this going, I just updated to 10.12.2 and it still doesn't work.

jcmuncy

Level 1

4 points

Mar 14, 2017 6:42 PM in response to socket70

I have the exact same issue with a Macbook Pro Retina Mid 2015.

Jun 28, 2017 1:17 PM in response to socket70

Just to bump this. 10.12.5 and this still doesn't work.

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Apple Watch won't unlock MacBook when it's docked