HT206995: Automatically unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch
Learn about Automatically unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch
-
All replies
-
Helpful answers
-
Sep 30, 2016 6:58 PM in response to appleproductsymphonyby joe_7399,Hello appleproductsymphony,
I understand you are trying to get your Apple Watch, your iPhone, and your Mac all working together. The first thing to do is make sure your devices are all updated to the latest operating systems, and that they all meet the requirements for Continuity. What Mac are you working with?
System requirements for Continuity on Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch
The Apple Watch works in tandem with your iPhone. So, it would be best to get your iPhone working properly with your Mac before attempting to set up the Apple Watch. What are you trying to accomplish between the iPhone and the Mac? Click on the link below to see options such as Handoff, Universal Clipboard, SMS and MMS.
Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch
Do you mean you are wanting to unlock your Mac with your watch? Once you have everything setup and working with Continuity on your iPhone, you should be able to focus on your Apple Watch.I am trying to login to the Mac with the Watch
Automatically unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch
Set up Auto Unlock
Make sure that your Apple Watch is using watchOS 3, and your mid-2013 or newer Mac model is using macOS Sierra.
Make sure that your Apple ID is using two-factor authentication instead of two-step verification.Switch from two-step verification to two-factor authentication
Make sure that your devices are set up as follows:
- Your Mac has both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on.
- 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.
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, then select the General tab.

Last Modified: Sep 23, 2016
appleproductsymphony, if you have followed all of the steps for setting up Continuity, two-factor authentication, and Auto Unlock and are still unable to get your devices communicating with each other, please reply back to this thread with any additional information that you can provide.
Take care.
