Apple watch does not unlock Mac Mini

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Level 1

13 points

Apple watch does not unlock Mac Mini

I just got Apple Watch Series 8. One of the reasons was to use it to unlock my 2023 Mac mini M2.

I followed ALL instructions in Unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch - Apple Support

it does not want to unlock the mini. It DOES work one time, right after I disable feature on mini, restart it and re-enable it. Then it leaves me at login screen to enter password manually.

It does work to approve changes in System Settings (by double-clicking side button) - sometimes.

So it works intermittently. Apple Support is just as buffled and reading from the same instructions as above.

Has some incurred this and if you did, have you been able to fix it?

Apple Watch Series 8

Posted on Jul 17, 2023 5:06 PM

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Answer 1

hc1111

Community Specialist

Jul 18, 2023 1:03 PM in response to DmitriK

Hey there DmitriK,

Auto Unlock might not be working as expected if you do not have devices that are compatible. Check out the info below to confirm:

watchOS 3 or later

* Apple Watch (all models)

macOS Sierra or later

* MacBook introduced in 2015 or later

* MacBook Pro introduced in late 2013 or later

* MacBook Air introduced in 2013 or later

* Mac mini introduced in 2014 or later

* iMac introduced in 2013 or later

* iMac Pro

* Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later

* Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later

System requirements for Continuity on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch - Apple Support

If you have compatible devices, make sure you follow the steps below as well:

If you need help

If you're having difficulty getting Auto Unlock to work, turn the unlock feature off and back on:

1. On your Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences) and turn off the Apple Watch setting described in the previous section.

2. Restart your Mac.

3. Turn the Apple Watch setting back on, as described in the previous section.

If that doesn't work, install the latest macOS updates and watchOS updates. Also make sure that your Mac isn't using internet sharing or screen sharing, which are turned off by default.

Unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Take care!

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Answer 2

DmitriK Author

Level 1

13 points

Jul 18, 2023 2:54 PM in response to hc1111

hc1111,

Thank you for your reply. I DID specify that I have Watch Series 8 and mac mini M2 2023 - so first part of your reply, while much appreciated, is not relevant. Both are on the latest OSes available for each respective unit.

Secondly, I keep doing what you are describing in the second quoted part of your reply, and Watch unlocks mac mini, but only FIRST time around. Subsequently, it just spins a wheel at the login screen and then disappears, leaving me with the password field.

It is as if there is a delay in connection and it times out before watch can unlock the mac.

So, thank you again, but I was asking for a non-standard answer. As I said, Apple Support is just as baffled and quoting to me from the same standard instructions as above.

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Apple watch does not unlock Mac Mini

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