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Unlocking your Mac with a simple flick of the wrist – sounds too good to be true, right? It’s not, with the help of an Apple Watch! If you’re tired of constantly entering passwords or want to add an extra layer of security, you can now use your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac. Follow these simple steps to set it up:
What Do You Need?
Firstly, you need to ensure that your Mac is running on macOS Sierra or later, and your Apple Watch must have watchOS 3 or later version installed.
Step 1: Set up 2-Step Verification on Your Mac
To use your Apple Watch to unlock the Mac, you need to set up 2-Step Verification on your Mac or iOS device. You can enable this feature by following these steps:
- Go to System Preferences and click on iCloud> Account Information. Sign in with your Apple ID.
- Choose Security and enable 2-Step Verification.
- Add your phone number to the verification screen on your Mac.
Step 2: Set a Passcode on Your Apple Watch
To proceed further, you need to set up a passcode on your Apple Watch to ensure its security. Follow these steps:
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone and select My Watch.
- Select Passcode and enable it.
- Set a new passcode specifically for your Apple Watch.
Step 3: Disable Automated Login on Your Mac
The next step is to switch off auto-login if enabled on your Mac. Follow these steps:
- Go to System Preferences and click on Security & Privacy.
- Under the General tab, uncheck the “Disable automated login” option.
Step 4: Let Your Apple Watch Unlock Your Mac
It’s time to allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac. Follow these steps:
- Open System Preferences and select Security & Privacy.
- Check the option “Let your Apple Watch unlock your Mac.”
- Confirm the action by entering your password when prompted.
And that’s it! If you wake up your Mac while wearing your Apple Watch, it will automatically unlock.
Note that if you don’t see the option to Let your Apple Watch unlock your Mac, your device might be too old, or you might be using 2-step verification instead of 2-factor authentication. In such cases, try updating your devices and switching to 2-factor authentication.
FAQs
Can I still use my password to unlock my Mac?
Yes, you can still use your password or Touch ID to unlock your Mac if your Apple Watch is not nearby or has an issue.
What are the requirements for unlocking Mac with Apple Watch?
You need macOS Sierra, watchOS 3, an Apple Watch, and a Mac that supports Bluetooth 4.0.