It’s important to keep your information secure. When you use a Mac, Apple requires you to attach a password to your account in order to make sure your information stays protected. Through the years, users have tried to find workarounds to allow them to have a passcode, while not having to type in an actual passcode every time they go unlock their computer.
With macOS Sierra, launching this fall, and watchOS 3, users can use their Apple Watch as a key to alert the Mac of your presence and automatically unlock your computer.
To do this, you will need to make sure you have a couple of things set up:
1) You’ll need the latest beta of macOS Sierra. To join a beta program, read our guide to installing betas here.
2) You’ll need the latest beta of watchOS 3. There is no Public Beta for watchOS, so you’ll need to be a developer to try this out.
3) Your Apple account must have Two-Factor authentication enabled. To do this, go to the Apple ID website, and turn off two-step verification. Then go into System Preferences on your Mac, click iCloud, then Account Details, then Security, and enable Two-Factor authentication.
Once you’ve completed these steps, the setup process is simple. Make sure you have a passcode on your Apple Watch, and then go into your Mac system preferences, click on Security and Privacy, and uncheck the ‘Disable Automatic Login’.
And that’s it! Now, walk away from your Mac for a few moments, and when your return your Mac will automatically unlock.