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How to Unlock Your Mac With Your Apple Watch

Set up Auto-Unlock to use your Apple Watch instead of typing passwords

By Amanda Derrick Amanda Derrick Freelance Contributor University of Utah Florida Tech Amanda Derrick is a mechanical engineer, business strategist, and former Lifewire writer who has also written for USAF Civil Service, ATK, and Boeing. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 18, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Smart Watches & Wearables Eco Tech Electric Vehicles Working From Home Headphones & Ear Buds Smart Home Smart Watches & Wearables Travel Tech Connected Car Tech iPods & MP3 Players

What to Know

In the Mac's Apple menu, select System Preferences > Security & Privacy and go to the General tab.Check the box next to Allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac to activate the feature.Whenever you start your Mac while wearing your Apple Watch, the watch unlocks your Mac automatically. This article explains how to unlock your Mac automatically when you are near it with your Apple Watch. This information applies to watchOS 6 or later and a Mac running macOS Catalina or later.

How to Set Up the Auto-Unlock Feature

If you have an Apple Watch and a Mac computer, you can unlock your Mac just by being nearby while wearing your Apple Watch, with no need to enter a password. Your Mac must be connected to both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and both the Mac and Apple Watch are signed in to iCloud using the same Apple ID. For Auto-Unlock to work, your Apple ID must require two-factor authentication, and both your Mac and Apple Watch must be set up to require a passcode. From your Mac's Apple menu, select System Preferences. Select Security & Privacy. Select the General tab. Check the box next to Allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac. Walk up to your Mac to unlock it automatically.

If You' re Having Trouble

The Auto-Unlock feature has quite a few requirements, so if you don't see the option to Allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac, it means one or more conditions haven't been met. Check your system requirements, make sure you have two-factor authentication set up, and check to see if both devices are signed in with the same Apple ID and use passcodes. Apple Watch Not Unlocking Mac? How to Fix the Problem Prykhodov / Getty Images Set up an Apple Watch Passcode via the Watch App on your iPhone. Tap My Watch > Passcode. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Apple Watch Not Unlocking Mac? How to Fix the Problem How to Use Your Mac as a Bluetooth Keyboard for Apple TV How to Change a Login Picture on Mac 12 Ways to Fix it When Sidecar Isn't Working on iPad How to Use Sign In With Apple How to Find Saved Passwords on Mac How to Unlock Your Apple Watch with iPhone or Passcode How to Reinstall macOS Catalina How to Find a Wi-Fi Password on an iPhone How to Use Account Recovery on iOS 15 How to Know What App Is Using the Microphone on Your Mac How to Reset Your Apple Watch How to Unlock iCloud-Locked iPhones How to Unlock an iPhone With an Apple Watch How to Set up Your New Mac How to Factory Reset Your Mac Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies