Multiple users and unlocking with watch.

I have the same problem. Very annoying. I am the only one on this Mac with an Apple watch (so no multiple watches), but when another user is logged into the Mac, unlocking my own account with the watch no longer works. After a few seconds of nothing (it appears it doesn't even try to unlock, normally it sais: unlocking with Apple Watch), it goes to the password inout field.

I can confirm that this is a known issue. When I purchased the newest and highest end iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch 2018) I immediately opened a ApplyCare Ticket. This problem was not just limited to the Apple Watch auto-unlock, but also continuity hand-off as well. The second I would log in with a second user on the computer all continuity and auto-unlock stops working. To be clear my wife does not have an Apple Watch and only I, so limited to 1 watch on the computer. It's really too bad that apple toutes a feature that falls short on their commitment. Dropping $5,000+ for a premium computer to benefit from these advertised features is a disappointment.

I think this is the same problem I have, but just to clarify. With multiple users logged in, it's not just that it won't auto unlock when I switch to my account but once I'm on my account it won't unlock then either even if I don't switch to another user - simply having more than one user logged in prevents auto unlock with the watch.

I have this same problem on my iMac and MacBook Pro - both of which successfully auto unlock if I'm the only user logged in.

This is the case even after this week's MacOS and iOS and WatchOS updates.

This is a problem I have but I have noticed a potential connection issue with iCloud which I think might be causing the problem. Here is my description:

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I have a frustrating problem with unlocking my Macs with Apple Watches. If I restart and log in to my computer then lock it my Apple Watch unlocks it reliably and consistently every time I try. As soon as I log another user into the computer Apple Watch unlock no longer works either for the new user or the original logged in user, even if one of them is logged out again. The only thing that gets the unlock working again is a re-start and sometimes that does not work for some time after the restart.

One other thing I have noticed is that when the watch unlock is working I am able to see my iPhone's personal hotspot in the list of available WiFi but when the watch unlock breaks (ie when I log in another user) the hotspot disappears. I suspect the whole issue may be related to the machine using it's connection to iCloud perhaps?

This behaviour is the same on an iMac and a Macbook Air both updated to the current operating system release and one of which has a completely fresh install of highSierra. Both phones (6s / 7) and watches (2 original sports and 1 original stainless) are running the latest releases of their respective operating systems but it is worth noting that this behaviour has always been present in previous versions and I was hoping the latest releases would fix it.

I too have this problem. It is actually not as simple as it works and then stops working when the other user is signed in. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't.

I filed a radar bug and after some back and forth with Apple they lost interest in this.

I also have the same problem with multiple users. Worthwhile noting that even if the other user account has logged out (after logging in), the Apple Watch unlock stops working for my account. It needs a reboot to fix.

I have the same problem. Everything worked up to the update (watchOS 3.2/macOS 10.12.4). Yes, I got it solved with restarting the devices. First if I log in with my account it worked. But if I switch to the account of my wife (she has no apple watch), then switch back to my account and lock the display, the unlocking with my apple watch breaks again. It is interesting that also handoff breaks by the user switching. I had an intensive communication with the support of Apple in July and August. On my last mail in October I never got feedback!

Same. I have the watch, but my husband does not. Bluetooth seems to have no trouble staying in touch with my watch/phone as long as mine is the only account logged in. I want to have a proper password with a short time-out in order to maximize my security, but convenience will out.

Even a "this is a developing feature, so your mileage may vary" disclaimer would significantly mitigate my disappointment.

Dear all,

I can confirm I have the same problem on High Sierra 10.13.3 (iMac 2017).

After a reboot, I can unlock with my Apple Watch and the handoff feature works fine. Once another user logs into the same machine (the user does not have an Apple Watch yet), I cannot unlock any longer via my Apple Watch and the handoff feature is not working either.

As many of us have the same issue - do you know where we have to officially report this bug?

Oliver

That’s odd. My Mac only stops responding to the watch (and requires a reboot) if another user logs in. I charge my watch daily, unlock it after donning it again, and have no trouble using it to open my Mac.

Just been on to Apple Support and spoke to third line. The Mac is only designed to work with one watch at a time so we will not get this working reliably or at all.

I have this same problem and wanted to mention that handoff between my other devices and Mac also seems to be affected.

For a temporary solution if you force quit CloudKeychainProxy in the Activity Monitor.app then the continuity functions will restore but not the apple wach login.

Having the same problem. Also if you take the watch off, to recharge it for example, auto-unlock will no longer work unless you reboot the computer.

Jack