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Unlocking Sierra Mac OS with an Apple Watch: A Step-by-Step Guide

Apple's continued integration of its devices is a testament to the seamless user experience it aims to deliver. One such feature that bridges the gap between your Mac and Apple Watch is the ability to unlock your Mac using your Apple Watch. In this post, we will walk you through the process of setting up this convenient functionality on macOS Sierra.

Prerequisites

  • A Mac running macOS Sierra (10.12 or later)
  • An Apple Watch with watchOS 3 or later
  • Both devices connected to the same iCloud account

Steps to Unlock Your Mac with an Apple Watch

  1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Before we begin, make sure that two-factor authentication is enabled on your Apple ID. This added security measure provides an extra layer of protection for your devices and data.

  2. Pair Your Devices: Ensure that your Mac and Apple Watch are paired. If not, follow the steps outlined in Apple's official support document.

  3. Unlock Your Mac: With your devices paired, you can now unlock your Mac using your Apple Watch. Here's how:

    • Make sure that your Mac is awake (i.e., the screen is on or the monitor is not in sleep mode) and that it is within range of your Apple Watch.
    • Wake up your Mac by pressing a key on the keyboard, moving the mouse, or clicking the trackpad.
    • With your Apple Watch unlocked, your Mac should now automatically unlock as well.

  4. Customize Settings: If you'd like more control over how your Mac and Apple Watch interact, you can customize settings according to your preferences:

    • Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General. Here, you can choose whether or not to require a password to unlock your Mac after it has been asleep or if it is rebooted.
    • To modify the proximity range between your Mac and Apple Watch, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth and select your Apple Watch from the list of devices. Adjust the "Show this when selecting a Bluetooth device" slider as needed.

That's it! With these steps, you can now unlock your Mac with an added level of convenience using your Apple Watch. Enjoy your seamless experience across Apple devices and remember to always keep your devices updated to ensure optimal performance.

Published September, 2016