Auto Unlock With Apple Watch Not Working, How to Fix?
Written by Karolina Peistariene on
Auto Unlock Mac With Apple Watch Feature Doesn't Work, How to Fix?
Many users were pleased when Apple introduced the Auto Unlock feature allowing them to unlock their computers using an Apple Watch. 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.
Fortunately, most of the problems are easy to solve by following a few easy steps. Without the proper knowledge, however, this situation might seem quite confusing. For example, if Auto unlocks works properly, there is no regular need to remember a password (since it is not required at login). But if the function fails, you suddenly need 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. This article describes the most common issues and solutions and how to adequately set two-factor authentication rather than two-step verification, which is one way to enable the Auto to unlock function.
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Basic requirements for your watch and Mac to enable auto-unlock function
- Switch from two-steps verification into two-factors authentication
- Ensure Automatic Login is disabled
- Reset connections via radio waves
- Reboot devices
- Check for system update
- Repair your Apple Watch
Basic requirements for your watch and Mac to enable auto-unlock function
We begin with checking your system and software. Ensure you fulfill all of the following criteria:
Auto unlock function is available only for Mac computers released in 2013 or later.
To enable the Auto Unlock feature, Apple Watch Series 0, 1, or 2 must be running on watchOS 3 or later and computer on macOS Sierra or newer version. At the same time, 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 meet the requirements. Sign in to the AppleID website and study the Devices section. The minimum requirement for iOS devices is version 9 or later. Watches must be running on OS 2 and computers with OS X El Capitan or later.
1. To change the protection method, log into the Apple ID website. You must use a two-step code to confirm your action.
2. 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).
3. Click on Edit, click Turn Off Two-Step Verification, and then click again to confirm your action.
4. Apple will ask you to create security questions to protect your account. This is required since your account is currently protected by a password only.
5. 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:
1. Open iCloud under System Preferences, and then click on Account Details.
2. Enter the password when asked and choose Security Tab.
3. 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:
1. Open the device settings and tap on iCloud.
2. Select your Apple ID and enter the password if asked.
3. 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.
1. First, open Mac System Preferences and choose Users & Groups.
2. Select Login Options, click on the lock and confirm your action by entering a system administrator password to make the changes.
3. 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 unlocks 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.
1. To reset connections on your Apple Watch, swipe up to bring up the control center.
2. Tap the Airplane Mode button, which will disable all connections.
3. Once the Airplane mode is enabled, it will turn yellow. Tap again to disable Airplane Mode, and the watch will try to reconnect automatically.
To reset connections on a Mac:
1. Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top left corner of the screen.
2. Then select Turn Bluetooth Off.
3. Enable it by clicking the icon again and selecting Turn Bluetooth On.
4. Next, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar next to Bluetooth and select Turn Wi-Fi Off.
5. Enable the connection again by repeating the steps and check if the Auto unlocks feature works.
Reboot devices
Restarting electronic devices is always an option and can sometimes solve even serious problems.
1. Restart Apple Watch by holding down the Digital Crown and Side button simultaneously.
2. Keep holding the buttons until you see the Apple logo.
To restart the Mac:
1. Click the Apple logo and select Restart.
2. 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.
1. To check available updates for Apple Watch, launch the application on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the My Watch tab at the bottom, select General and tap on Software Update.
3. 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.
4. Select the Update tab and check if there are any updates available and, if so, install them.
5. Once you have updated your software, reboot the devices, log in for the first time and check if the auto-unlock feature works.
Repair your Apple Watch
Re-pairing, an Apple Watch, might be a complicated process. Still, if a problem occurs 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.
1. Tap on the My Watch tab at the bottom of the screen, and then tap on the Apple Watch at the top.
2. Then press the Info button on the right and select Unpair Apple Watch. In addition, you must repeat the pairing procedure and select restoring from your most recent backup file at the end of the process.
3. Once the repairing process is complete, enable the Auto Unlock function in Mac preferences.
4. Finally, check if the Auto unlocks feature works correctly.
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