Q: Will Watch unlock a Mini during Fast Screen Switching

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sesweitzer

Level 1 (9 points)

Apple Music

Q: Will Watch unlock a Mini during Fast Screen Switching

I'd like to unlock my Mac Mini with my Apple Watch but can't get it to work even after looking at several help files for setting it up.

I have a late 2014 Mac Mini using Fast ScreenSwitching with OS 10.12. I have a new Apple Watch series 2 with latest software and Passcode turned on. I have turned on 2 step authentication and when I select Allow your Watch to Unlock your Mac the ball spins for a long time but the box is now checked (I have disabled auto logon). Tried rebooting the Mac but when I do the Fast Screen Switch between another user it keeps asking for my password. What am I missing?

iMac with Retina 5K display, OS X Yosemite (10.10), iPad iPhone 7 MacBook Pro Watch

Posted on Oct 13, 2016 3:33 PM

I have this question too

Solved

sesweitzer

Level 1 (9 points)

Apple Music

A:

Thanks. Just checked and it does unlock with the watch after a ScreenSaver lock. I'd never had that turned on before. So, apparently it doesn't work with Fast Screen Switching. That's was what I really wanted it for. So it goes.

Posted on Oct 14, 2016 4:49 AM

Q: Will Watch unlock a Mini during Fast Screen Switching

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by Jonathan UK,

Jonathan UK Oct 13, 2016 3:38 PM in response to sesweitzer
Level 8 (39,630 points)

Apple Watch

Oct 13, 2016 3:38 PM in response to sesweitzer

Hi

To use Auto Unlock, your Apple ID needs to be set up with two-factor authentication, not with two-step verification.

It may help to check that you have followed that and the other steps detailed here:

Automatically unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch - Apple Support
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by sesweitzer,

sesweitzer Oct 13, 2016 6:50 PM in response to Jonathan UK
Level 1 (9 points)

Apple Music

Oct 13, 2016 6:50 PM in response to Jonathan UK

Sorry, I misstated - I do have two-factor authentication turned on. I did follow those steps without luck.
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by léonie,

léonie Oct 14, 2016 3:51 AM in response to sesweitzer
Level 10 (108,955 points)

iCloud

Oct 14, 2016 3:51 AM in response to sesweitzer

Does the automatic unlock work, after you wake the Mac from the screensaver?
Automatic unlock does not work, when you first login after you restart the Mac, and I am always prompted for the password when I switch between user accounts as well. I could not find any documentation, if it is meant to work when switching users, but it could be intentional and a security feature, like the forced password promp at the first login.
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by léonie,

léonie Oct 14, 2016 5:03 AM in response to sesweitzer
Level 10 (108,955 points)

iCloud

Oct 14, 2016 5:03 AM in response to sesweitzer

It makes sense, that switching users is treated like a new login for security reasons, but a bit inconvenient.
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Accepted Answer · Oct 14, 2016 4:49 AM

sesweitzer

Level 1 (9 points)

Apple Music

Oct 14, 2016 4:49 AM in response to léonie

Thanks. Just checked and it does unlock with the watch after a ScreenSaver lock. I'd never had that turned on before. So, apparently it doesn't work with Fast Screen Switching. That's was what I really wanted it for. So it goes.

Q: Will Watch unlock a Mini during Fast Screen Switching

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by Jonathan UK,

by sesweitzer,

by léonie,

by sesweitzer,Solvedanswer

by léonie,

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