Want to unlock your Mac with the Apple Watch because entering a password is too annoying? Absolutely understandable, because even a MacBook with Touch ID requires an extra action to unlock the laptop. Therefore, it is already practical to simply approach with the Apple Watch and the Mac or MacBook unlocks itself. In this easy-to-understand article, we’ll show you how simple it is to set up. Ready?
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What all can you unlock with the Apple Watch?
Now, if you own an Apple Watch and wear it on your wrist, you can save yourself some inquiries on your Mac. First of all, with the Apple Watch on, the Mac can be unlocked. Once set up, you get closer to your locked device and as if by magic, it unlocks itself.
In addition to unlocking the Mac, however, the Apple Watch can also allow app requests. For example, if an app needs authentication on your Mac to possibly view passwords, approve app installs, or even unlock notes, then the Apple Watch can send a confirmation. In return, you receive a request to your watch and can confirm it with a tap – or not.
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These requirements exist
In order for unlocking to work with the Apple Watch, a few prerequisites must be met. For the Apple Watch itself, it means that a code must be set up and you must have WLAN and Bluetooth enabled on the watch. The latter also applies to the Mac that you would like to unlock. You should also make sure that your devices are up to date. If not, you can find the appropriate instructions to update them here:
- Install Apple Watch Update
- Install Mac Update
However, there are also two other requirements: The so-called two-factor authentication must be enabled and the Apple Watch must not be too far away from the Mac.
Enable two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication is necessary to use the unlock function. You can think of this two-factor authentication as being like a credit card. In addition to the card, it requires a second “factor”, namely the PIN of the card, in order to use it. Only if you have the card and the PIN does it have any value.
For unlocking Mac with Apple Watch, it means that the Apple ID must have a second factor besides the password: A cell phone number. A code is sent to it for confirmation, which you have to enter. If you have other Apple devices, they can be used as a second factor.
If you haven’t activated two-factor authentication yet, we recommend it. Apple describes how it works on its own website.
Unlock Mac with Apple Watch Removal
Basically, it would make sense for the Apple Watch to unlock the Mac only when you are actually sitting in front of it yourself. For that, the Watch should only start unlocking at the slightest distance.
In reality, however, it is different. The colleagues from CNET have found out that the Apple Watch would unlock the Mac up to a distance of three meters. What seems convenient at first can become a problem in an open-plan office, for example. Because if you stand with your back to your Mac at a greater distance, the unlocking would still take place and thus gives access to the data.
In any case, you should keep this in mind if you use this feature, are not alone and have sensitive data stored on your Mac.
Activate or set up Mac unlock with Apple Watch
Time required: 3 minutes
Now you already know what requirements are necessary to set up the feature. If you have considered all of them and want to unlock Mac with Apple Watch, you can enable the feature like this:
- Open System Preferences
Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner and select “System Preferences…”
- Open “Security & Privacy”
Now click on the “Security & Privacy” tile.
- Activate the option “Unlock apps and your Mac with your Apple Watch”
Now check the box “Unlock with your Apple Watch apps and your Mac”.
The setup may now take a while. Afterwards, the Unlock Mac with Apple Watch feature is already enabled. Why don’t you try it out right away!
How to unlock your Mac with the Apple Watch
If you now want to unlock your Mac with the Apple Watch, you don’t need to do anything else. Once your Mac is locked and you want to log in with the Watch for the first time, here’s what you do:
- Make sure your Apple Watch is on your wrist and it is unlocked
- Approach your locked Mac
- Wait a few moments until you feel a vibration on your wrist and the Mac unlocks itself
That’s it. You’ve unlocked your Mac for the first time with the Apple Watch. Now that’s convenient, isn’t it?
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Unlocking Mac with Apple Watch does not activate
Some users report that after a watchOS update, automatic unlocking with the Apple Watch no longer works. If it’s the same for you, here are the solutions that have helped most people:
Log out of iCloud and log back in
Log out of iCloud completely and log back in once. Then, re-enable unlocking with the Apple Watch. Here’s how to do it:
- First, click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner and select “System Preferences…”
- Then select “Apple ID” and click on “Logout …” at the bottom
- Then log back in again.
- Then go back to the System Preferences overview and select “Security & Privacy”.
- Activate the item “Unlock apps and your Mac with your Apple Watch”
Now everything should work again. If not, then proceed to the next item.
Turn Bluetooth on and off
Some users report that turning Bluetooth on and off helped them to re-enable the unlock feature. Here’s how to do it:
- First, click on the Apple logo at the top left and select “System Preferences …”
- Now select “Bluetooth” and click on “Disable Bluetooth”.
- Wait a moment and activate it again
- Then go back to the System Preferences overview and select “Security & Privacy”.
- Activate the item “Unlock apps and your Mac with your Apple Watch”
Was that able to solve your problem? If yes, then have fun with the feature. If not, then we have another solution ready.
Restart Apple Watch and Mac
A simple restart of the devices could also provide help for some users. First, you should restart your Apple Watch and then restart the Mac once as well. After that, try it again. Just remember to unlock your Apple Watch first before unlocking the Mac will work.
