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Q: unable to connect mac to neither iPhone nor Watch. Any clues?

I am trying to connect my iPhone and watch to my mac, without success. Mac Bluetooth accepts iPhone for a split second and then disconnects and won't accept Watch connection at all. I am able to pair Powerbeats Wireless with the same Mac. I am trying to login to the Mac with the Watch, Any clues?

Apple Watch, watchOS 2.2.2, macOS Sierre 10.12 and iPhone 6 iOS

Posted on Sep 29, 2016 7:01 PM

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Q: unable to connect mac to neither iPhone nor Watch. Any clues?

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  • by joe_7399,

    joe_7399 joe_7399 Sep 30, 2016 6:58 PM in response to appleproductsymphony
    Community Specialists
    Sep 30, 2016 6:58 PM in response to appleproductsymphony
    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 

    I am trying to login to the Mac with the 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.

    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.