HT206995: Automatically unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch

Learn about Automatically unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch
pgirardi

Q: Apple Watch Unlocking Mac Setup Frustration

I own a first generation Apple Watch and a 13" Late 2013 MacBook Pro and latest mac mini (i5). I have gone through the complete setup process to have my watch unlock my MacBook several times. (All the way through) When I get to chose "Allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac" button, it spins for a while and then I get the "Unable to communicate with Apple Watch" prompt. It seems to be finding my watch because if I try and leave the Apple Watch locked, it will tell me to unlock and try again. Happens on MacBook Pro and mac mini the same way.

 

I've tried to research this problem and have tried everything from resetting the two-factor authentication to tuning all settings off and back on again.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks!

Apple Watch, watchOS 3

Posted on Oct 1, 2016 8:16 PM

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Q: Apple Watch Unlocking Mac Setup Frustration

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  • by Starr.C,

    Starr.C Starr.C Oct 3, 2016 8:27 AM in response to pgirardi
    Community Specialists
    Oct 3, 2016 8:27 AM in response to pgirardi
    Hello  pgirardi,

    I understand you are trying to unlock your two computers using your Apple Watch with watch OS 3.  The resource below provides the steps and requirements for doing this.  I would suggest just trying this with one computer until you have it working before trying the second computer.  

    Automatically unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch
     

    The first time you log in after you turn on or restart your Mac, log in by entering your password manually. After that, Apple Watch logs in for you.

    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.
    For details, see the Continuity system requirements.

    Auto Unlock

    Auto Unlock works with these devices and operating systems:

                                    
    watchOS 3macOS Sierra
      
         
    • Apple Watch (1st generation)
    •    
    • Apple Watch Series 1
    •    
    • Apple Watch Series 2
    •   
      
      
         
    • MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
    •    
    • MacBook Pro (Late 2013 or newer)
    •    
    • MacBook Air (Mid 2013 or newer)
    •    
    • Mac mini (Late 2014 or newer)
    •    
    • iMac (Late 2013 or newer)
    •    
    • Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)
    •   
      

    Make sure that your Apple ID is using two-factor authentication instead of two-step verification. Learn more.

    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.


    pgirardi,  if you are still unable to unlock your primary computer after trying these steps, then you may need to unpair your Apple Watch and iPhone and try again.

    Unpair your Apple Watch and iPhone


    Take care.

     


  • by MSUBob,

    MSUBob MSUBob Oct 3, 2016 2:03 PM in response to pgirardi
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 3, 2016 2:03 PM in response to pgirardi

    I was having the same problem.  It turned out that my keychain password and my user password were different.  When I made them agree, the unlock process worked.  Check and see if this is your problem.