Same message - cannot unlock with Apple Watch because screen is being shared (even though it's not being shared), same Macbook (mid 2015), etc. Also, seeing the binoculars since upgraded to Mojave as well. Restart Apple Watch - Apple Watch User Guide. Restart Apple Watch. If something isn't working right, try restarting or resetting Apple Watch and its paired iPhone. Restart Apple Watch. To turn off Apple Watch, press and hold the side button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider to the right.
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Dec 21, 2019 Your Mac is not compatible: Remember, to use Auto Unlock, you must have a 2013 Mac or newer. Your software isn't compatible: If you own an Apple Watch Series 0, 1, or 2, you'll need watchOS 3 or later and macOS Sierra or later to use Auto Unlock; the Apple Watch Series 3 requires watchOS 4 and macOS High Sierra or later. Auto unlock function is available only for Mac computers released in 2013 or later. Apple Watch series 0, 1, or 2 must be running on watchOS 3 or later and computer on macOS Sierra or newer version to enable Auto Unlock feature, while Apple Watch Series 3 requires watchOS 4 and Mac running on. Auto unlock function is available only for Mac computers released in 2013 or later. Apple Watch series 0, 1, or 2 must be running on watchOS 3 or later and computer on macOS Sierra or newer version to enable Auto Unlock feature, while Apple Watch Series 3 requires watchOS 4 and Mac running on macOS High Sierra or later.
This is my first time trying to use this feature, and it's not working. This is my new 2019 iMac and I'm on macOS 10.15.5 and watchOS 6.2.5. In System Preferences > Security & Privacy I have 'Use your Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac' selected. Two-Factor Authentication is on for my Apple ID.
So, say I now go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy again and click the lock icon on the bottom left. Immediately I get a notification on my Apple Watch prompting me to double-click (the digital crown) to approve. However, when I do so, nothing happens. The window that says 'System Preferences is trying to unlock Security & Privacy preferences' doesn't go away, and I am forced to click the Use Password button.
So I tried restarting both my Mac and Apple Watch. When I got the login screen, it said I had to enter my password to enable unlock with Apple Watch after restarting. So I did so. However, when I tried to unlock the Security & Privacy preferences again, it still didn't work. Also, I tried logging out and then logging back in again, and there is not even an option to log in using the Apple Watch. I also tried disabling and re-enabling the 'Use your Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac' option but that didn't fix it either.
What gives?
EDIT: I discovered my Apple Watch DOES automatically unlock the iMac when resuming from display sleep or screen saver, but it's still not working to approve within apps and also not working when logging on.
You've been able to unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch for some time now. If your Mac is asleep, and you wake it up, if you've activated this feature, the Mac confirms your identity via your Apple Watch and wakes up.
What software comes preinstalled on a macbook pro. This is an interesting chain of identification. It requires that you have two-factor authentication turned on for your Apple ID, and having authenticated on your iPhone by entering your passcode, your Apple Watch then inherits this authentication (or you can authenticate on the Apple Watch by entering its passcode), and the Mac then accepts this as proof that the watch belongs to you.
To activate this feature, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General and check Use your Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac.
This allows you to wake up your Mac, and approve certain secure actions in macOS. For example, if you want to access a secure preference pane – one that shows a padlock at the bottom left of the window – click the padlock then authenticate on your watch by pressing the side button twice (this is the same gesture you use to authenticate for Apple Pay).
Another action where you can use your Apple Watch to authenticate is if you want to delete files in certain folders. For example, to delete an app downloaded via the Mac App Store, you need to authenticate:
Use Apple Watch To Unlock Mac
If you have a Mac with Touch ID, the Mac defaults to using that option for authentication, but if you have an iMac, which doesn't offer Touch ID, this can make it a lot easier to perform secure tasks.
Apple Watch Not Unlocking Macbook Pro
Note that this feature is only available to recent Macs, ones that support Continuity and Handoff, not all recent Macs can perform all of these operations. See this Apple support document for more information.
