How to unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch
Starting with macOS Sierra and above, Apple implemented the ability to unlock your Mac when you are in proximity, and wearing your Apple Watch. Sounds simple enough -- but there are a few pre-requisites to fulfill before it works reliably. AppleInsider spells it all out.
Plus, there's a new requirement. If you have a Series 3 Apple Watch, your Mac must not only be mid-2013 or newer, but must also be running High Sierra.
All of this seems obvious -- but even advanced users sometimes get tripped up by the simple stuff.
Consider, though, that if you have older devices, like a second- or third-generation Apple TV or Mac stuck on an older system by accident or design, you'll have to append a six-digit code at the end of your iCloud password to authenticate the device in the future. You'll get prompts, but it's still a pain.
If this isn't an issue, or you don't care, then:
Obviously, auto log-in on your Mac must be disabled and a password must be set. If you haven't set one, best passcode practices suggest it not be the same as your connected iPhone's.
Your Apple Watch must also have a passcode -- otherwise the whole procedure fails.
Put on your Apple Watch and unlock it. Shut down, or reboot your Mac, and unlock it, and give it a try!
Hardware
When we initially tried this out at launch, we weren't careful about the specs. The features requires an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 or later (which we had), and macOS Sierra (which we had) running on a mid-2013 or newer Mac (we had a 2012 Retina MacBook Pro).Plus, there's a new requirement. If you have a Series 3 Apple Watch, your Mac must not only be mid-2013 or newer, but must also be running High Sierra.
All of this seems obvious -- but even advanced users sometimes get tripped up by the simple stuff.
Two-factor authentication
Two-step verification has been deprecated by Apple, and is no longer recommended. In fact, most Apple services require two-factor authentication now, so if you haven't switched over, now's the time.Consider, though, that if you have older devices, like a second- or third-generation Apple TV or Mac stuck on an older system by accident or design, you'll have to append a six-digit code at the end of your iCloud password to authenticate the device in the future. You'll get prompts, but it's still a pain.
If this isn't an issue, or you don't care, then:
On your Mac:
- In System Preferences, open up iCloud
- Select "Account Details"
- Click "Security"
- Click "Turn on Two-Factor Authentication"
And/or on your iPhone:
- Open Settings
- Tap on your iCloud account
- Tap on "Password and Security"
- Tap "Turn on Two-Factor Authentication"
Setting pre-requisites
Make sure your Mac has Bluetooth and wi-fi on. Also, verify that your Mac and your Apple Watch are signed into iCloud with the same Apple ID. Your Mac must not be using internet sharing to other devices.Obviously, auto log-in on your Mac must be disabled and a password must be set. If you haven't set one, best passcode practices suggest it not be the same as your connected iPhone's.
Your Apple Watch must also have a passcode -- otherwise the whole procedure fails.
One last step
In the Security & Privacy control panel, select Allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac.Put on your Apple Watch and unlock it. Shut down, or reboot your Mac, and unlock it, and give it a try!
Comments
Oh well. I'll replace it one of these days.
The watch is a non-LTE, series 3, running iOS 4.0 (also up to date).
I don't see an update to Sierra for this feature on Series 3 and I am going to wait on High-Sierra until its issues are better solved.
Article and Apple's technical documents say that High Sierra is required with the Series 3 for the feature -- but not the S0, 1, or 2.
It probably wouldn't, if the other user utilizes a different Apple ID.
I didn't even turn it on, it just started happening after I got my watch. Which is kind of a concern. Especially as I'd rather use it to unlock the Mac mini, which doesn't have TouchID, although I think it's probably too old.
Also, I'll have to remember to disable it before I next go overseas.
Now what I'd vastly prefer would be an Apple keyboard (wired and/or wireless) that has TouchId built into it. Specifically, the screamingly fast flavor of TouchId that's used on the iPad Pro tablets is what I want. That would be sweet.