Auto unlock Mac with Apple Watch feature doesn't work, how to fix?
Many users were pleased when Apple introduced the new macOS version and a function allowing them to unlock their computers via Apple Watch. This function allows access to computers without entering a password by using an associated watch in close proximity. Best apple laptop for music production. This invokes an automatic sign-in, but unfortunately does mean that the password must be entered for the first time after rebooting the computer. Despite the convenience of this system, people have encountered various issues, such as incorrect security options on iCloud logins, miscommunication between Mac and the Apple Watch, and so on.
Apple Watch Not Unlocking Computer
The apps do not load any faster than on Apple Watch OS2, and I have lost features that I actually used to now have junk features that I care nothing about, etc. The MacBook Pro settings are selected for 'allow your Apple Watch to unlock this Mac', but not a damn thing actually happens. Apple Watch and Mac computer must be signed with the same iCloud account. If devices are signed with different accounts, the Auto Unlock function will be unavailable. Both devices, Apple Watch and Mac computer, must have a passcode enabled. If one of the devices does not have an enabled passcode, the Auto Unlock function will be unavailable. If you don't get notifications, messages, or calls on your Apple Watch, your Apple Watch and iPhone might not be connected. When your devices disconnect, the red iPhone icon or the red X icon appears on your watch face. You can also check your connection in Control Center. When your Apple Watch connects again, the green iPhone icon appears.
Fortunately, most of the problems are straightforward to solve by following a few easy steps. Without proper knowledge, however, this situation might seem quite confusing. For example, if auto unlock works properly there is no regular need to remember a password (since it is not required at log in), but if the function fails, suddenly you are required to recall it (not easy if it was a complicated combination of characters and numbers). This is just one potentially difficult case that people encounter when the unlock with an Apple Watch fails. In this article, we describe the most common issues and solutions, and how to properly set two-factor authentication rather than two-step verification, which is one way to enable the auto unlock function.
Table of Contents:
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Basic requirements for your watch and Mac to enable auto unlock function
We begin with checking your system and software. Ensure you fulfil all of the following requirements:
Apple Watch Not Unlocking Mac
- Auto unlock function is available only for Mac computers released in 2013 or later.
- Apple Watch series 0, 1, or 2 must be running on watchOS 3 or later and computer on macOS Sierra or newer version to enable Auto Unlock feature, while Apple Watch Series 3 requires watchOS 4 and Mac running on macOS High Sierra or later.
- Two-factor authentication must be enabled for your iCloud. The most common problem is that two-factor authentication is not enabled or users are still using Apple's old two-step verification protection.
- Apple Watch and Mac computer must be signed with the same iCloud account. If devices are signed with different accounts, the Auto Unlock function will be unavailable.
- Both devices, Apple Watch and Mac computer, must have a passcode enabled. If one of the devices does not have an enabled passcode, the Auto Unlock function will be unavailable.
Switch from two-step verification to two-factor authentication
Before you try to switch between protections, ensure that all devices connected to your iCloud account meets the requirements. Sign in to the AppleID website and study the Devices section. Minimum requirements for iOS devices is version 9 or later, watches must be running on versions of OS 2, and computers with OS X El Capitan or later.
- To change the protection method, log into Apple ID website.
- You must use a two-step code to confirm your action.
- Find the Security section where you should be able to find a label displaying Two-Step Verification and 'On' beneath it. Otherwise, skip the next two steps (since two-step verification is not configured for your account).
- Click on Edit, click Turn Off Two-Step Verification, and then click again to confirm your action.
- Apple will ask you to create security questions to protect your account. This is required since your account is currently protected by password only.
- In addition, you will need a device associated with your iCloud account. You can use a Mac computer or any iOS device that meets the minimum requirements listed above.
- Enable two-factor authentication using a Mac computer:
- Open iCloud under System Preferences, and then click on Account Details.
- Enter the password when asked and choose Security Tab.
- Click Turn on Two-Factor Authentication and follow the on-screen instructions.
If you wish to turn on two-factor authentication using any iOS device: - Open the device settings and tap on iCloud.
- Select your Apple ID and enter the password if asked.
- Tap Password & Security, select Turn on Two-Factor Authentication, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
We recommend that you set more than one backup phone number if possible - this is good protection against lost or broken mobile phones.
Ensure Automatic Login is disabled
The Auto Unlock function cannot work together with automatic login enabled on a system, so ensure this that feature is disabled. First, open Mac System Preferences and choose Users & Groups. Select Login Options, click on lock, and confirm your action by entering a system administrator password to make the changes. Once you have changed the settings, click the drop-down menu next to Automatic login and select Off.
Reset connections via radio waves
Check that the Auto unlock feature works by using both Bluetooth version 4.2 and Wi-Fi connections. First, ensure both devices are enabled and connected via these signals. These connections can revert to a non-responsive state, resulting in a lost connection and failure of the Auto unlock function. The best solution is to reset both connections.
To reset connections on your Apple watch, swipe up to bring up control center. Tap the Airplane Mode button, which will disable all connections. Once Airplane mode is enabled, it will turn to yellow. Tap again to disable Airplane Mode and the watch will try to reconnect automatically.
To reset connections on a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at top left corner of the screen. Then select Turn Bluetooth Off. Enable it by clicking the icon again and selecting Turn Bluetooth On.
Next, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar next to Bluetooth and select Turn Wi-Fi Off. Enable the connection again by repeating the steps and check if the auto unlock feature works.
Reboot devices
Restarting electronic devices is always an option, and can sometimes solve even serious problems. Restart Apple Watch by holding down the Digital Crown and Side button simultaneously. Keep holding the buttons until you see the Apple logo. To restart the Mac, click the Apple logo and select Restart. Finally, when your devices reboot, enter the password for the first time to enable the auto unlock function. Let the Mac 'Sleep' and try the auto unlock feature again.
Check for system update
New versions of operating systems often have compatibility problems, with subsequent versions providing fixes. This might be the case with your system, so check if there are any updates to your software. To check available updates for Apple Watch, launch the application on your iPhone. Tap on the My Watch tab at the bottom, select General and tap on Software Update. If you see any updates available, install them. To ensure that you are running on the latest version of macOS, open the Mac App Store. Select the Update tab and check if there any updates available and, if so, install them. Once you have updated your software, reboot the devices, log in for the first time and check if the auto unlock feature works.
Re-pair your Apple Watch
Re-pairing an Apple Watch might be a complicated process, but if a problem occurred in the connection between the iPhone and Apple Watch, secure information pertaining to the auto unlock feature will not be transferred correctly. To solve this frustrating issue, first un-pair your devices by launching the Watch application. Tap on the My Watch tab in the bottom of the screen, and then tap on the Apple Watch at the top. Then press the Info button on the right and select Unpair Apple Watch. In addition, you must repeat the pairing procedure and at the end of process, select restoring from your most recent backup file. Once the re-pairing process is complete, enable the Auto Unlock function in Mac preferences. Finally, check if the auto unlock feature works correctly.
- Apple Watch Problems
- Apple Watch Tips
by Jenefey AaronUpdated on 2020-03-29 / Update for Apple Watch
Apple Watch is an intelligent lock that connects to your iPhone for notification, calls, text sent, and applications. There are several different ways to disable and activate the Apple Watch. You can always uninstall, unlock, lock or automatically lock the Watch if you don't use it, according to the settings that you have chosen.
If your iPhone watch is not passcode locked so you unblock it, either key the button or lift your hand. The lock on your iPhone prevents you inadvertently triggering or modifying it. You can easily lead to apple watch unlock with iPhone not working properly.
Way 1： Fix Apple Watch Will Not Unlock with Password
Most people complaints that I can't unlock my apple watch, Apple Pay is a short answer. Nobody can spend money without your permission without access to your watch. This is why, when setting a new watch, Apple tells you to choose a passcode.
You can attach a passcode later by going to the Apple Watch app, typing the configuration and choosing Passcode if you miss the passcode bit during the setup process. This allows you to set a Watch code. Choose one for which none else you haven't used.
Way 2: Fix Cannot Unlock Apple Watch without Password
Apple requests you to enter a PIN code on the initial setup in order to secure your Apple Watch. Each time the watch is disabled, it understands that you have to enter your PIN in a very small number pad in order to release it. There are two benefits. Next, if someone steals your watch, your data is safe. Furthermore, the only way you can use Apple Pay is to have a PIN installed on your phone. Most of the people search questions like ' i cant unlock my iwatch, how do I unlock my i watch, can't unlock apple watch without iPhone' So in this portion you will get the answer of these questions.
On one phone, you just have to do the following. You will have to keep both Apple Watch and iPhone together until the process is finished:
- Run the Apple Watch application and tap 'My Watch' tab.
- Go to 'General' afterwards and tap 'Reset.'
Press 'Erase Apple Watch Content and Configurations,' then press again for the order to be tested.
The above-mentioned steps will help you to manage apple watch auto-unlock not working properly.
Way 3: Fix Unable to Unlock Apple Watch Using iPhone
The Apple Watch has some safety measures in place to protect the watch if you decide to remove it. For example, the Apple Watch will be locked with a key, with Wrist Detection allowed, to keep your data protected. So you have to place your phone around your arm any time you wish to take action and enter your passcode.
Due to the small display on Apple Watch, it is not convenient to ask me. Thankfully, though, there is a second way to release Apple Watch, and that's just as simple as accessing the iPhone. The following will be answered in this part of the article: I cannot unlock my Apple watch or Apple watch won't unlock with passcode.
- Begin the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap Passcode now.
- See the iOS toggle switch to unlocking? Tap to enable it.
Enter your wearable Apple Watch passcode as directed.
You're set right now, that's it. If you use the Touch ID or passcode to unlock an iPhone, the Apple Watch will also be unlocked. Apple format flash drive. This is extremely handy when you switch off your Apple Watch for a short period of time.
Apple requests you to enter a PIN code on the initial setup in order to secure your Apple Watch. Each time the watch is disabled, it understands that you have to enter your PIN in a very small number pad in order to release it. There are two benefits. Next, if someone steals your watch, your data is safe. Furthermore, the only way you can use Apple Pay is to have a PIN installed on your phone. Most of the people search questions like ' i cant unlock my iwatch, how do I unlock my i watch, can't unlock apple watch without iPhone' So in this portion you will get the answer of these questions.
On one phone, you just have to do the following. You will have to keep both Apple Watch and iPhone together until the process is finished:
- Run the Apple Watch application and tap 'My Watch' tab.
- Go to 'General' afterwards and tap 'Reset.'
Press 'Erase Apple Watch Content and Configurations,' then press again for the order to be tested.
The above-mentioned steps will help you to manage apple watch auto-unlock not working properly.
Way 3: Fix Unable to Unlock Apple Watch Using iPhone
The Apple Watch has some safety measures in place to protect the watch if you decide to remove it. For example, the Apple Watch will be locked with a key, with Wrist Detection allowed, to keep your data protected. So you have to place your phone around your arm any time you wish to take action and enter your passcode.
Due to the small display on Apple Watch, it is not convenient to ask me. Thankfully, though, there is a second way to release Apple Watch, and that's just as simple as accessing the iPhone. The following will be answered in this part of the article: I cannot unlock my Apple watch or Apple watch won't unlock with passcode.
- Begin the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap Passcode now.
- See the iOS toggle switch to unlocking? Tap to enable it.
Enter your wearable Apple Watch passcode as directed.
You're set right now, that's it. If you use the Touch ID or passcode to unlock an iPhone, the Apple Watch will also be unlocked. Apple format flash drive. This is extremely handy when you switch off your Apple Watch for a short period of time.
An Extra Bonus: How to Unlock iPhone without Password
Apart from Apple Watch Issues, if you don't remember iPhone screen passcode, how would you do? It's true that it's impossible to bypass iPhone by itself but turn to third-party software to help you out. There is a strong powerful tool to help you unlock iPhone by one click, 4uKey - iPhone Passcode Unlocker. A 4-digit /6-digit passcode, custom numeric code, alphanumeric passcode, Touch ID or Face ID, can all be removed immediately when you have broken screen or screen is locked because of wrong passcodes. Let's take a look at how does this work:
Download the software and start the program, and then choose 'Unlock Screen Passcode'.
Then click 'Start' to remove passcode. The 4uKey will automatically download firmware, and it might take a while to finish.
Now just be patient for the procedure, and you will view the progress bar and it indicates how much does it finish.
Here comes the successful interface, and you can move to your iPhone for further check if it has been unlocked.
Summery
Now the question arises what do i do if my apple watch won't unlock? Although the unlock bit can be entirely circumvented by removing the passcode, I won't recommend it one bit. Like your smartphone, the main information is contained in Apple Watch, unlike call records, contacts, emails, Apple Pay and other details.
The best thing is to keep your Apple Watch from prying eyes in a complete lockdown. This ensures that a quick passcode and Wrist Identification that is disabled in Settings controls your information and, of course, your Apple Watch. Of course, if you accidentally lock your iPhone, just don't hesitate to 4uKey - iPhone Passcode Unlocker for help, which is the best tool to bypass screen passcode.
