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User profile for user: viral5
viral5 Author
User level: Level1 8 points
Hello
I have been able to use my Apple Watch (SE) to unlock my MacBook Pro (M1) in the past. Yesterday, I added another user to the Mac (signed in with a different Apple ID). The user switching is quick and effortless and everything else seems to be working as usual.
Although, now I can no longer unlock even my original user account with the same Apple ID as used on the watch. the dialog box says that the Mac is unable to communicate with the watch, even though both are unlocked and even the iPhone is unlocked as it says. I understand that my watch can not unlock the Mac for the other user with a different Apple ID, but why is not working with the original account as well?
Please let me know if you need more details. Looking forward to a solution soon, and MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎄
MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.1
Posted on Dec 24, 2020 12:51 AM
Question marked as Best answer
User profile for user: BobHarris
BobHarris
User level: Level9 51,515 points
Update to watchOS 7.2
If that does not work, it should, but if it does not work, then read the following threads
Check out this thread on fixing Apple Watch unlocking Mac
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251803595?answerId=253458029022#253458029022
Then follow with this thread
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251826134?answerId=253504359022#253504359022
And
I also found that it took awhile for the iCloud Keychain records to propagate and merge on all the systems. More so when you have multiple devices sharing the keychain (I have 4 Macs, the iPhone, and the Apple Watch). I followed both of the above threads, but it was not reliably working until the next day, when I tried again. And I did have to click the enable check box twice the next day, but then it stuck.
And this thread says they also had to toggle the Apple Watch -> Settings -> Siri -> Listen for "Hey Siri" option off then on
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251803595?answerId=253782332022#253782332022
Hints (you will understand when you read the first and second threads):
Applications -> Utilities -> Keychain Access
Finder -> Go menu -> ~/Library/Sharing/AutoUnlock
System Preferences -> iCloud -> Keychain
Posted on Dec 26, 2020 9:31 AM
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Question marked as ★ Helpful
User profile for user: jdo_apple
jdo_apple
User level: Community Specialist
Dec 26, 2020 8:47 AM in response to viral5
Hey viral5,
It sounds like you're having some issues with Auto Unlock for your Mac and Apple Watch. We can understand wanting to get that resolved. We want to help.
First, we'd recommend checking for and installing any updates that may be available for your Mac and Apple Watch:
How to update the software on your Mac
Update your Apple Watch
We'd then recommend restarting all of your devices, including the iPhone that's paired with your Apple Watch to see if that helps.
W'ed also suggest ensuring your password meets the requirements for Auto Unlock.
Auto Unlock supports the use of the following characters in the your user password:
- Uppercase or lowercase letters A to Z
- Numbers 0 to 9
- Underscores
- Hyphens
- Periods
If any characters other than these are used in the password, change your password in System Preferences > Users & Groups to a password that only contains these supported characters, restart, and test.
Thanks!
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User profile for user: jdo_apple
jdo_apple
User level: Community Specialist
Dec 26, 2020 8:47 AM in response to viral5
Hey viral5,
It sounds like you're having some issues with Auto Unlock for your Mac and Apple Watch. We can understand wanting to get that resolved. We want to help.
First, we'd recommend checking for and installing any updates that may be available for your Mac and Apple Watch:
How to update the software on your Mac
Update your Apple Watch
We'd then recommend restarting all of your devices, including the iPhone that's paired with your Apple Watch to see if that helps.
W'ed also suggest ensuring your password meets the requirements for Auto Unlock.
Auto Unlock supports the use of the following characters in the your user password:
- Uppercase or lowercase letters A to Z
- Numbers 0 to 9
- Underscores
- Hyphens
- Periods
If any characters other than these are used in the password, change your password in System Preferences > Users & Groups to a password that only contains these supported characters, restart, and test.
Thanks!
Link
Question marked as Best answer
User profile for user: BobHarris
BobHarris
User level: Level9 51,515 points
Dec 26, 2020 9:31 AM in response to viral5
Update to watchOS 7.2
If that does not work, it should, but if it does not work, then read the following threads
Check out this thread on fixing Apple Watch unlocking Mac
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251803595?answerId=253458029022#253458029022
Then follow with this thread
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251826134?answerId=253504359022#253504359022
And
I also found that it took awhile for the iCloud Keychain records to propagate and merge on all the systems. More so when you have multiple devices sharing the keychain (I have 4 Macs, the iPhone, and the Apple Watch). I followed both of the above threads, but it was not reliably working until the next day, when I tried again. And I did have to click the enable check box twice the next day, but then it stuck.
And this thread says they also had to toggle the Apple Watch -> Settings -> Siri -> Listen for "Hey Siri" option off then on
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251803595?answerId=253782332022#253782332022
Hints (you will understand when you read the first and second threads):
Applications -> Utilities -> Keychain Access
Finder -> Go menu -> ~/Library/Sharing/AutoUnlock
System Preferences -> iCloud -> Keychain
Link
User profile for user: viral5
viral5 Author
User level: Level1 8 points
Dec 27, 2020 4:27 AM in response to BobHarris
after following the suggestions from the first and second thread, it works again now!! perfectly! thanks a lot
Link
Unlocking Macbook with Apple Watch