Mac Unlock with Apple Watch Fix

Some Mac users have reported issues unlocking their computers with their Apple Watch after recent software updates. This problem seems to stem from Apple's renaming of "Apple ID" to "Apple Account" across macOS Sequoia, iOS/iPadOS 18, and watchOS 11. This seemingly minor change has disrupted the seamless integration between devices for some users. Thankfully, there are several potential solutions.

Quick Fixes

  1. Check Unlock Option: Ensure the Apple Watch unlock feature is enabled in your Mac's System Settings under 'Touch ID & Password' or 'Login Password'.
  2. Bluetooth Reset: Toggle Bluetooth off and on again on your Mac to refresh the connection with your Apple Watch.
  3. Restart Devices: Restart both your Mac and Apple Watch to resolve any temporary glitches.

Advanced Troubleshooting

  1. Re-pair Devices: Unpair and re-pair your Apple Watch and Mac. In some cases, repairing the boot drive in Recovery Mode may also be necessary.
  2. Adjust Lock Screen Settings: Temporarily set your Mac's lock screen to require a password immediately after sleep or inactivity. Then, re-enable the Apple Watch unlock. This workaround has proven effective for some users. Read more about security settings here.
  3. Apple Account Sign-Out: Sign out of your Apple Account on your Mac and sign back in. This can resolve sync issues affecting cross-device functionality. For related information, check out Apple Silicon Transition.
  4. Software Updates: Ensure both your Mac and Apple Watch are running the latest software versions. Ironically, an update may sometimes fix an issue caused by a previous update.

Disable-Enable Cycles

If the simpler fixes don't work, try these more involved disable-enable cycles. These involve various combinations of disabling the unlock feature, unpairing the watch, and restarting devices. For more connectivity tips, explore Ubiquiti's enterprise Wi-Fi 7 solutions.

Unlocking your Mac with your Apple Watch offers both convenience and security. These troubleshooting steps should help restore this functionality if you've encountered problems.