macOS Apple Watch Unlock Not Working — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Auto Unlock lets your Mac unlock automatically when your Apple Watch is nearby and on your wrist. When this stops working, it is almost always an Apple ID mismatch, a disabled Bluetooth, or a setting that needs toggling. Toggling the Auto Unlock setting off and on usually restores Apple Watch unlocking within seconds.

Affected Models

macOS Ventura (13)
macOS Sonoma (14)
macOS Sequoia (15)
MacBook Pro
MacBook Air
Mac mini

Common Causes

Mac and Apple Watch are not signed into the same Apple ID
Bluetooth is disabled on the Mac
Auto Unlock is disabled in System Settings
Apple Watch does not have a passcode set (required for Auto Unlock)
Two-factor authentication is not enabled on the Apple ID (required for Auto Unlock)

How to Fix It

Go to System Settings > Security & Privacy (or Privacy & Security) and find 'Use your Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac' — toggle it off and then back on.

Re-enabling the setting re-establishes the pairing between the Mac and Apple Watch.
Confirm both your Mac and Apple Watch are signed into the same Apple ID.

Check on Mac: System Settings > Apple ID. Check on Apple Watch: Settings app > [Your Name].
Ensure Bluetooth is turned on your Mac: System Settings > Bluetooth > On.

Auto Unlock uses Bluetooth proximity detection — it cannot work without Bluetooth.
Confirm your Apple Watch has a passcode set: Apple Watch Settings > Passcode > Turn Passcode On.

Auto Unlock only works if the Apple Watch is secured with a passcode — it will not work on an unprotected Watch.
Ensure two-factor authentication is enabled on your Apple ID — go to appleid.apple.com to check.

Auto Unlock requires two-factor authentication as a security prerequisite — it cannot be enabled without it.
Restart both the Mac and the Apple Watch, then test Auto Unlock by walking away and returning.

A restart re-initialises the Bluetooth pairing and often resolves Auto Unlock failures.

When to Call a Professional

Contact Apple Support if Auto Unlock fails after all steps below and your Apple Watch and Mac meet requirements. Apple Support can check for Apple ID account-level issues preventing device pairing. Auto Unlock requires a Mac from 2013 or later with Bluetooth 4.0 and an Apple Watch Series 1 or later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Apple Watch and Mac models support Auto Unlock?

Mac: Any Mac from 2013 or later with Bluetooth 4.0, running macOS Sierra or later. Apple Watch: Any model (Series 1 or later), running watchOS 3 or later. Both devices must be signed into the same Apple ID and have two-factor authentication enabled.

Why does Auto Unlock only work sometimes?

Bluetooth proximity detection is affected by interference, distance, and other Bluetooth devices. If you are too far from the Mac or other Bluetooth devices are interfering, Auto Unlock may not trigger reliably. Staying within 2 metres of the Mac when approaching and ensuring fewer competing Bluetooth devices helps.

Does Auto Unlock work if I have a screen lock password but no Apple Watch passcode?

No — your Apple Watch must have a passcode for Auto Unlock to work. This is a security requirement — the Watch must be confirmed as 'unlocked and on your wrist' before it can unlock your Mac. Set a Watch passcode in the Watch Settings app under Passcode.