Auto Unlock works when you're wearing your unlocked watch and are very close to your Mac. If necessary, move your watch a little closer.
How to automatically log in
This feature gives you instant access to your Mac when you're wearing your Apple Watch. Just wake up your Mac and you’re ready to go—without typing a password.
- To do this without having to open the Apple Watch app on an iPhone. Scroll down the list and tap Passcode. Launch the Settings app on your smartphone. Tap Turn Passcode On. Enter the four-digit passcode you want to use to lock and unlock the watch. Once you’ve got your Apple Watch ready, head on over to your Mac.
- Make sure your Apple Watch is running watchOS 3 or later, and your Mac is running macOS Sierra or later. Turn on WiFi and Bluetooth on your Mac. Enable two-factor authentication for your iCloud account. Your Apple Watch and Mac must be using the same iCloud account. Make sure you have set a passcode on your Apple Watch and Mac.
- Make sure that your Apple Watch is unlocked and on your wrist and your iPhone is unlocked.' All of these conditions are true, yet it is just flat out refusing to turn on. Any suggestions? Also, even though I've unpaired my old watch from my phone, it'll still show up under my Mac's system preferences under the 'Use Apple Watch to unlock apps.
The first time you log in after you turn on, restart, or log out of your Mac, you must log in by entering your password manually. After that, Apple Watch logs in for you.
From then on, most times your Mac or an app wants your password, your Apple Watch will provide it automatically. Please note that this feature requires that the Mac dates from mid-2013 or later, that all devices use the same iCloud account, and that the Apple ID uses two-factor authentication instead of two-step verification. Never unlock with your password again Just check one box. Photo: Cult of Mac. If you have any Apple Watch, and any Mac built from 2013 onward, you can use this tip.Just head to your Mac’s.
How to approve other password requests
You can also use your Apple Watch to approve other requests to enter your administrator password. This works anywhere you need to type your Mac password, such as when viewing passwords in Safari preferences, unlocking a locked note, approving an app installation, or unlocking settings in System Preferences.
For example, when you click the lock to make a change in System Preferences, your Mac prompts you to approve with Apple Watch:
To automatically enter your password without having to type it, just double-click the side button on your Apple Watch:
How to set up Auto Unlock
- Make sure that your Mac and Apple Watch meet the system requirements for Auto Unlock.
- Make sure that your devices are set up as follows:
- Your Mac has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.
- Your Mac and Apple Watch are signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID, and your Apple ID is using two-factor authentication.
- Your Apple Watch is using a passcode.
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Security & Privacy. Select ”Use your Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac” or ”Allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac.”
If you're not sure whether your Mac supports Auto Unlock, press and hold the Option key while choosing Apple menu > System Information. Select Wi-Fi in the sidebar, then look for ”Auto Unlock: Supported” on the right:
Learn more
If you're having difficulty getting Auto Unlock to work, try these solutions:
Can't Get Apple Watch To Unlock Mac
![Apple Watch Mac Unlocker App Apple Watch Mac Unlocker App](https://photos5.appleinsider.com/gallery/23286-29229-unlock-xl.jpg)
- In Security & Privacy preferences, deselect ”Use your Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac,” then restart your Mac and turn this setting back on.
- Make sure that your Mac isn't using Internet sharing or screen sharing.
Learn about more Continuity features for your Apple devices.
If you’ve resisted requiring a password on your Mac after it wakes up or comes out of the screen saver because it’s too much work to enter repeatedly, an Apple Watch can make authentication much easier. In previous versions of macOS, just wearing an unlocked Apple Watch is enough to enter your Mac’s password; in Catalina, the Apple Watch can also enter your password when prompted by apps. First, make sure your Apple Watch has a passcode (in Watch > Passcode), is on your wrist, and is unlocked. Then, in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General, select “Use your Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac.” From then on, most of the time your Mac or an app wants your password, your Apple Watch will provide it automatically. (This feature requires that the Mac dates from mid-2013 or later, that all devices use the same iCloud account, and that the Apple ID uses two-factor authentication instead of two-step verification.)
Apple Watch Won't Unlock Mac
(Featured image based on an original by Christin Hume on Unsplash)