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Unlocking does not work with apple watch. Unlocking Mac using Apple Watch: how to set it up? Custom message templates

Now you don’t have to enter a password on your Mac every time to authorize; it can be unlocked by Apple Watch. Thanks to the clock, the computer recognizes that the owner is nearby and opens access to the system. Let's look at what settings are required for this.

How it works?

In order to log into the computer, it is enough to wear a smart watch on your hand. Just wake up your Mac and you're good to go. There is no need to enter a password. Auto unlocking is activated when the smartwatch is a short distance from the Macbook. For the system to work, you need to bring the watch closer.

You will only need to enter the password once after turning on or rebooting, after which you will be logged in automatically.


Next, it makes sense to check whether your computer supports this function: hold down the Option key, open the Apple menu, then “System Information”. Find the “Wi-Fi” section in the column on the left side, click on it, if on the main page there is a line “Auto unlock: Supported”, you can start setting up.

Preparatory stage

The first step is to enable two-factor authentication. Go to your computer's system settings, click "iCloud". Now select “Account”, enter your Apple ID password. In the Security tab, enable two-factor authentication.

With the advent of macOS Sierra, users of laptops and iMac computers have the most convenient opportunity - automatic authorization in the system via Apple Watch. How is automatic unlocking used? This is a really convenient thing! It provides instant access with user identification to the OS, provided that the watch is worn. You just need to wake up the MAC and work, no need to enter passwords!

What do you need to turn on your MAC with your Apple Watch?

You will need the Apple Watch itself, an iPhone to set it up, and a Mac computer (laptop). Supported Apple Watch devices:
AppleWatch (1st generation);
AppleWatch Series 1;
AppleWatch Series 2.

The watch must have watchOS 3 installed.

Apple laptops and computers:
Mac Book (older or late 2014);
Mac Book Pro (after 2013);
Mac Book Air (after mid-2013);
Mac mini (older or late 2014);
iMac (older or late 2013);
Mac Pro (older or late 2013).

All of these devices must be running mac OS Sierra version 10.12 or later. To set up this function, you need to make sure that 2-factor authentication is activated in iCloud.

To enable two-factor authentication:
Enter "System Settings":
Click on iCloud;
Click on the “Account” link;
Next, enter the password for your Apple ID;
Go to the "Security" tab.
Then enable 2-factor authentication.

How to set up automatic clock unlocking

First you need to configure the devices. First of all, turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your computer, iPhone and watch (they must have a password set up). On your Mac Book, Mac Book Pro, or iMac, turn off Internet Sharing. After this, you need to log into the “Apple cloud” simultaneously (that is, from one Apple ID) from your Mac computer/laptop and from your AppleWatch.
Then make the following settings:

Go to the Apple menu on your computer.
Then go to System Preferences and click on iCloud.
On iPhone, launch the Apple Watch app and tap Passcode.
In the Security & Safety settings on your Mac Book, Mac Book Pro, or iMac, select the Allow Apple to unlock your Mac checkbox.

In the Apple menu, go to System Preferences, then click on Security & Safety.
Next, move to the “Basic” section.

If you are not sure that your Apple computer or laptop supports the automatic unlocking function, go to the options tab, enter the “Network” section of the “System Information” item. There select the “Wi-Fi” item. On the right side you will see information about the unlocking option.

Then enter your laptop password.

Congratulations! You've set up your Apple Watch to unlock your computer!

To check, close the laptop lid or log out of your iMac. Then open or press the power button and bring your watch hand to the password screen. The system should start!

The function of automatically unlocking Mac computers using the Apple Watch appeared in version 3 of the WatchOS operating system, which is supported by the 1st, 2nd and 3rd generations of smartwatches. The developers invented the non-standard update with the sole purpose of logging in safely and quickly without entering a password and immediately getting to work without wasting precious minutes. The community was pleased with the innovation, but not completely – there were too many questions about setup and nuances related to unlocking. And therefore – about everything in order.

Important features of unlocking a watch

  1. Apple Watch must be updated to WatchOS 3;
  2. The lock is removed when the watch is on the wrist and located in close proximity to the computer;
  3. You can open access to the system on Mac computers with the Sierra operating system that were released no earlier than mid-2013 (the list includes MacBook, MacBook Pro and Air, Mac Mini, iMac and Mac Pro models). An alternative way to check whether such a function is supported is to hold down the Option button and in the “System Information” section on the left side of the interface, select the Wi-Fi item, where the “Auto Unlock” status should say “Supported”;
  4. Before the procedure, you need to activate two-factor authentication on your computer using the iCloud settings and the “Security” section (you will have to enter your login and password to authorize in your Apple ID);
  5. On your Mac you need to turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and on your watch you need to set a password. And finally, in the “Protection and Security” section of your computer, the checkbox next to “Allow unlocking using Apple Watch” is checked.

    6. How does auto unlock work?

    The procedure for accessing a Mac without a password is as follows: “wake up” the computer (open the laptop lid, move the mouse or press a button on the keyboard), bring your hand with an unlocked Apple Watch on your wrist. The standardized message “Unlock using smartwatch” will immediately appear on the screen. Two seconds and you can get to work.

    If you don’t have a watch on your hand, you will have to enter the password manually. And one more thing - the clock does not allow you to remove the lock if the Mac computer has restarted or the procedure is performed for the first time after generating the settings described above. In other cases, there will definitely be no problems.

Apple has introduced the Auto Unlock feature to automatically unlock Mac computers for owners of smart watches  Watch.

In contact with

What devices does this work on + pre-configuration

This feature requires a Mac (mid-2013 or later) running macOS Sierra and an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 or later installed. Check function support " Auto unlock» on a Mac computer as follows:

  • Press and hold the key ⌥Option (Alt) on keyboard.
  • Click the Apple menu () and go to " System Information».
  • In the sidebar, select a section "Wi-Fi" and look for the line on the right “ Auto Unlock: Supported».

Mac and Apple Watch must be linked to the same Apple ID (iCloud). To check this:

  • On Mac, open the app "System Settings" and go to the iCloud section.
  • On iPhone, open the app Watch, and follow the path "Basic" → Apple ID.

In addition, you need to activate (if you have not done so before) the two-factor authentication mode for the user (does not work in all countries). To set up two-factor authentication:

On iPhone

  • On an iPhone running iOS 10.3 or later, open the " Settings" and go to the Apple ID section (at the very top). On other iOS versions: Settings → iCloud and click on your Apple ID (E-mail).
  • Click " password and safety».
  • In chapter " Two-factor authentication» click on the button Turn on.

On a Mac

  • Go to menu Apple () → "System Settings" → iCloud → "Account".

  • Click the icon "Safety".
  • There should be a button at the bottom of the screen "Enable two-factor authentication".

To set up your Mac to automatically unlock using your Apple Watch, do the following:

1 . On your Mac, turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

2 . Create and activate a passcode on Apple Watch, and turn on the "Wrist Detection". To do this, on your iPhone, open the Watch app and go to the section "Passcode".

3 . On a Mac, go to System Settings → Protection and safety → Basic.

Place a check mark next to the inscription Unlock Mac with Apple Watch.

If the two-factor authentication mode has not been configured previously, the system will prompt you to do so now.

If your watch has not activated passcodes and has not enabled the "Wrist Detection", macOS will also ask you to do this.

4 . Enter your Mac password. After successfully entering the password, a special message will be displayed on the screen.

5 . Lock your Mac, wear your Apple Watch, then activate your Mac's password screen (wake up your computer).

6 . A message appears on the macOS Home screen Unlock with Apple Watch. In a second you will be taken to your computer's desktop.

If after this setup you don’t have an Apple Watch on your hand, you will have to enter the login password manually.

One of the most anticipated innovations in the macOS Sierra operating system is the function of automatic authorization on a computer using the Apple Watch. She logs into her account on her own - just walk up to the Mac with the smart watch.

For the technology to work, the Mac user must have an authorized Apple Watch on their hand. The computer will identify the owner in a split second and unlock macOS without having to enter a password.

Requiring authorization for the Apple Watch means that the wearable device must not only be paired with the iPhone, but also protected with a passcode. In addition, to successfully log in, the smart watch must be on your wrist, otherwise the function will not work.

How to set up Auto Unlock in macOS Sierra:

Step 1: Set a passcode on Apple Watch running watchOS 3.

Step 2: On a Mac running macOS Sierra Developer Preview 2 or later, open System Preferences, go to Security & Safety -> General, and check the box next to "Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch."

Step 3: Provide your Mac password. After successfully entering the password, the OS will show a welcome message.

Step 4: Close the lid of your MacBook, put your Apple Watch on your hand, and lift the lid of the laptop.

Step 5: The macOS Sierra Home screen displays Unlock with Apple Watch. After a few seconds you will see your computer desktop.

If you remove the watch from your hand and repeat the experiment, the operating system will prompt you to enter your account password as usual.