Unlock Mac with Apple watch

It is very easy to unlock your Mac computer with an Apple Watch using the ‘Auto Unlock‘ feature. You can this Apple Watch unlock feature to log in to your Apple MacBook Air, MacBook Pro running macOS High Sierra or even the latest macOS Mojave.

So, this feature allows you to unlock your Mac by sitting near to your Mac. If you are wearing your Apple Watch and are close enough to your Macbook then your Mac Computers can sense that you are nearby and the Mac system will log you in automatically without any delay.

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If you want to try this new feature of unlocking Mac using Apple watch Automatically then you should be using the latest version of both Apple WatchOS and macOS.

Apple first introduced this “Auto Unlock” feature with macOS Sierra. With the first release of “Auto Unlock” function Apple made unlocking your macOS more easy and seamless by lessening the use of traditional password method. Unlocking your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro with your Apple Watch is fast, convenient and secure.

Apple’s “Auto unlock” feature will not work on older Macs. The below article details all the requirements to use this properly. So, if you have the latest Mac machine and is updated regularly then “Auto unlock” feature will be very handy for you as it saves time and also is very easy to use. As it is not enabled by default, you have to toggle it “on” by following the below steps:

How to use Auto Unlock with Apple Watch and Mac

Auto unlock is a great feature which is fast, secure and gives you fast access to your MacBook Pro computer. You don’t need to type a password on your Mac when Auto unlock feature is enabled. Auto Unlock feature works seamlessly with Apple Watch and MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. 

If your question is: can you unlock your mac with apple watch?

Then the answer is: yes and You don’t need an app to unlock mac with apple watch.

Auto unlock feature works only when you are wearing your Apple Watch and are close enough to your MacBook. Also, you need to be connected to same Wi-Fi network.

How to set up Auto Unlock

For Auto unlock to work you should make sure that your Mac and Apple Watch meet the system requirements for this feature:

  • Your Apple Watch must be using watchOS 3 or later if not, you can always update it.
  • You should also check that your Mac is Mid-2013 or newer and your macOS updated to macOS Sierra or later.
  • So, update your watchOS and macOS to use Auto Unlock feature without any problem.
  • The other thing you have to make sure that you are using two-factor authentication with your Apple ID instead of two-step verification. If you don’t know how you can switch from two-step verification to two-factor authentication then you should follow this article from Apple.

Some other things you need to check are:

  • If Your Mac Bluetooth is not turned on then you should turn it on.
  • Turn on your Mac Wi-Fi turned.
  • Also, make sure that both of your Apple devices (Mac and Apple Watch) are using the same Apple ID for their iCloud account.
  • On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app, then go to General > Apple ID.
  • Make sure both Apple Watch and Mac are using a passcode.
    On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app, then tap Passcode.
  • Also, make sure that Your MacBook isn’t using Internet sharing or screen sharing.

Now Put your Apple Watch on. If you are not wearing your Apple Watch on your Wrist then you will not be able to unlock your MacBook Air or MacBook pro. Once you’ve prepared both of your devices, enabling Auto Unlock is very easy.

You can also follow these links to know how to unlock macbook with apple watch?

Now, enable “Auto unlock” Using the below steps:

Follow the below steps to know how to unlock mac with apple watch?

STEP #1: Now you just have to Click on the Apple icon () in the upper left corner of your Mac screen.

Unlock Mac with Apple watch - Apple Mac menu

STEP #2: Now a drop-down menu will appear then click on System Preferences.

Mac system preferences

STEP #3: Now if you are not seeing “Security and privacy tab” in the window then at the top of the tab, you will see dotted box, click on it as shown in the below image.

Show all system settings mac

STEP #4: Now Click on Security & Privacy.

Security & Privacy Mac settings

STEP #5: Select General.

macos-sierra-system-preferences-general-allow-watch-unlock-mac-2

How to Check if your Mac supports Auto unlock feature?

If you want to check whether your MacBook pro or MacBook Air supports Auto Unlock feature or not, then Click on Apple icon () and then select About this Mac.

Now click on System Report, a new window will open. Now scroll down and click on Wi-Fi option under Network settings in the left sidebar. Now look for ”Auto Unlock: Supported” as shown in the below screenshot:

macos sierra system information wifi auto unlock supported macbook pro
macos sierra system information wifi auto unlock supported macbook pro

Troubleshooting Auto Unlock: unlock mac with apple watch not working

If your Auto unlock feature is not working then you can follow this troubleshooting guide. There might be some issues with your apple watch or Mac settings due to which your unlock mac with apple watch is not showingup in settings.

If you can’t unlock your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air using Apple watch and the Auto Unlock option is not showing then you can try the below fix

If you have any questions regarding Apple Watch, MacBook and Auto Unlock feature? 

Let us know in the comments!

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