An ancillary security feature in the Apple ecosystem involves Apple Watch and its ability to authenticate a Mac. With a few prerequisites, the device has the power to serve as a secure token in place of your password or other biometrics.

As I mentioned in Biometric Boons, Part 2 — Face ID, Apple Watch can unlock your iPhone when your face is obstructed, such as when wearing a mask and sunglasses. Noted in Best New iPhone For You, it could also do this before Apple offered “Face ID with a Mask,” and the feature is still useful for devices prior to iPhone 12.

Additionally, Apple Watch can unlock your Mac, log into services that rely on a biometric passkey, and authenticate to approve Apple Pay purchases initiated on another device.

Client Notes

Last week was packed with helping Leslie and Yoka set up their new iMacs, addressing some network challenges with Monica, training Carol and her assistant to update her email signatures, and discussing productivity systems with Estee.

I also reconnected with Billy to support his ongoing technology learning, resolved puzzling issues involving Zippie’s contacts and Emily’s applications, and helped Marcia dream into her next Mac.

Mac Toggle Watch Sync

Sync Apple Watch to Mac

To enable these capabilities on your Mac, there are a few prerequisites:

  1. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be enabled on the Mac
  2. Apple Watch and Mac must be signed into iCloud using the same Apple Account, with two-factor authentication enabled
  3. Apple Watch must have a passcode, be on your body, and be unlocked
  4. Mac must have been released in mid-2013 or later

This feature works with Apple Watch Series 3 or later when using a Mac with macOS 10.13 or later. (It also works with Series 1 and 2 devices but only in macOS 10.12.)

If you meet all the prerequisites, open the settings panel available on your Mac (one of these):

  • System Settings > Login Password
  • System Settings > Touch ID & Password
  • System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General

Then, toggle on Use Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac.

Mac Unlocking with Apple Watch

Unlock Your Mac

To test what you’ve just enabled, lock your Mac screen. You can do this easily by pressing the power key or Touch ID key on a Mac keyboard that has one or use the  > Lock Screen command (Control+Command+Q). Then, press Escape once or twice until the display turns off.

Now, press a key on the keyboard to wake the screen and watch the magic. You may feel haptic feedback on your wrist (or wherever you wear your wearable). You can also look at your watch to see the feedback that your watch was used to unlock your Mac.

Apple Watch Approve App Request

Watch as Authenticator

When signing into some apps and websites or when making a purchase using Apple Pay, you may be able to use Apple Watch as an alternate authenticator. This is especially valuable if your Mac doesn’t support Touch ID or you haven’t set it up.

When the option presents itself, you’ll feel haptic feedback and see a screen like the one above. Rather than entering your password on the Mac, you can simply double-click the Side Button of your Apple Watch to approve the request.

Note: This feature requires watchOS 6 or later and macOS 10.15 or later.

I’ve spoken with multiple folks for whom the killer feature of wearing an Apple Watch is the ability to easily locate their iPhone. I would argue that Auto Unlock is second-best.

Are there other reasons your wearable serves an amazing or magical role in your life? Sound off in the comments…