Apple Watch no longer unlocks MacBook Pro after iOS 13.2

[Jim Lahey]

Hello chaps. Rather irritating problem.

MacBook Pro 2017 - macOS 10.15 Catalina
Apple Watch S4 - watchOS 6.0.1
iPhone 8 Plus - iOS 13.2

Since updating my iPhone to 13.2 this evening, my Apple Watch no longer unlocks my MacBook Pro. I have restarted all three devices, unchecked and rechecked the relevant setting in system preferences. No matter what I try, my watch will not unlock the Mac. It goes through the motions - fails - and then asks for password or TouchID.

What am I missing?

 

[Duncan68]

Hello chaps. Rather irritating problem.

MacBook Pro 2017 - macOS 10.15 Catalina
Apple Watch S4 - watchOS 6.0.1
iPhone 8 Plus - iOS 13.2

Since updating my iPhone to 13.2 this evening, my Apple Watch no longer unlocks my MacBook Pro. I have restarted all three devices, unchecked and rechecked the relevant setting in system preferences. No matter what I try, my watch will not unlock the Mac. It goes through the motions - fails - and then asks for password or TouchID.

What am I missing?

Do you use a USB3 hub with your MacBook? USB3 puts out RF that interferes with Bluetooth (and at least on the Mac mini, WiFi). I had to stop using the two USB3 ports on my mini to get my Apple Watch to unlock it. It still works after updating my XS Max to 13.2.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Do you use a USB3 hub with your MacBook? USB3 puts out RF that interferes with Bluetooth (and at least on the Mac mini, WiFi). I had to stop using the two USB3 ports on my mini to get my Apple Watch to unlock it. It still works after updating my XS Max to 13.2.

Interesting. Yes I do but it was working fine before iOS 13.2

I will investigate further tomorrow. Thanks for the tip!

 

[deeddawg]

Working fine here.

Go to SystemsPreferences->Security&Privacy->General tab and try disabling/re-enabling it.

 

[Duncan68]

Interesting. Yes I do but it was working fine before iOS 13.2

I will investigate further tomorrow. Thanks for the tip!

Also, try this: instead of restarting the MacBook, try shutting it down. Wait a few minutes and then power it back up. Then see if it'll work.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Working fine here.

Go to SystemsPreferences->Security&Privacy->General tab and try disabling/re-enabling it.

Already did that as per the original post.

Anyway, thank you for the help, folks. Turns out it was indeed a USB 3 issue. I moved my external disc from a USB 3 port (on the USB-C hub) over to a USB 2 port. Instantly fixed. Not sure why - or even if - iOS 13.2 caused the issue, but it definitely wasn't happening previously. I guess it could be a coincidence, but it seems unlikely. Perhaps some change in the way the phone communicates with the watch had an effect in my particular environment? (if it even does during this process?) In any case, using the external disc over USB 2 is no problem for me as transfer speeds aren't important for what I use it for.

Thanks again for all your help. Case closed

 

[Janeilfen]

Do you use a USB3 hub with your MacBook? USB3 puts out RF that interferes with Bluetooth (and at least on the Mac mini, WiFi). I had to stop using the two USB3 ports on my mini to get my Apple Watch to unlock it. It still works after updating my XS Max to 13.2.

Sorry, I realise this an old thread but daft question, does it matter if the USB3 hub is powered or not?

 

[Duncan68]

Sorry, I realise this an old thread but daft question, does it matter if the USB3 hub is powered or not?

I never used it with an unpowered hub. I don't think it matters, if it puts out RF it will interfere with Bluetooth and WiFi.

I can add though that since I made that post I discovered that if I leave the leftmost (outer) USB3 port unused, that's enough to eliminate interference. At least in my system, the second port (next to the HDMI port) can be used.

 

[Janeilfen]

I never used it with an unpowered hub. I don't think it matters, if it puts out RF it will interfere with Bluetooth and WiFi.

I can add though that since I made that post I discovered that if I leave the leftmost (outer) USB3 port unused, that's enough to eliminate interference. At least in my system, the second port (next to the HDMI port) can be used.

Thanks for your reply. You are correct of course. I have been trying a few things with my connections and it doesn't seem to matter what I plug into any of the USB ports, it still interferes with unlocking the mini with the Apple Watch. When I was using one of the ports for an unpowered hub, my ver 1 trackpad used to be very erratic. I think I solved that by changing the wi-fi on the mini from 2.4 to 5 GHz.
I am wondering what Apple tested this 2018 mini with? And also, are these USB ports basically redundant, unusable?
I am going to try a USB-A to USB-C adapter when I can get one, and see if that is any better.