Apple Watch signal too weak to unlock new MacBook Pro...

[spencecb]

Hi,

Since I got my new MacBook Pro M1 Pro this week, my Apple Watch has been struggling to unlock it. I am getting an error on the login screen saying the wireless signal is too weak to unlock the computer.

Has anyone else been seeing this? I fully expected there to be some hardware bugs to sort out with this new computer. I am guessing this is one of them!

 

[cellocellocello]

I'm having this issue as well.

 

[spencecb]

I'm having this issue as well.

It seems to happen more frequently when my MacBook Pro has been asleep for a longer period of time. If I wake it shortly after it goes to sleep, it usually unlocks with the watch correctly.

Other issue I am having is Dark Mode does not automatically switch at sunset. I have to manually with it to dark mode each night. I had this problem on my 2019 15" MacBook Pro, too, but it started working correctly at some point.

Definitely can't wait for them to fix these two annoyances.

 

[lordhamster]

Having the same issue. That said, the new MBP is closed behind my monitor and sitting right next to my old 19 inch intel MBP... but still it should not be an issue as I'm under 3 feet from the machine.

 

[mntdewdan]

Same thing is happening to me. When I am holding my laptop with the apple watch hand it I get a "too weak" error message about 1 out of every 3 to 10 times. My old Macbook pro (13") never had this issue.

 

[dstyp]

Same issue with new MBP M1 Max 16". Must be something with the new machines. Got an MBAM1 that doesn't have this issue, not in Monterey since updating either.

I've found that when it happens tapping cancel and then hitting space to attempt it again works most of the time.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Any USB hubs connected?

 

[mntdewdan]

I have nothing connected and am just holding my laptop in my lap (or on my desk).

 

[LeeW]

I even get that happening on the M1 mini quite often and it is no more than 12 inches away. Random, no apparent reason for it.

 

[Media Pimp]

It happens to me from time to time, usually after being asleep for the couple hours that I'm out with the dogs, but rarely happens when it's been sleep overnight. What fixes it (for me at least) is to just hit escape to put the screen/computer back to sleep and then immediately press a button to wake the computer. Logs in without issue every time. It's weird, but it's an easy workaround.

 

[spencecb]

It happens to me from time to time, usually after being asleep for the couple hours that I'm out with the dogs, but rarely happens when it's been sleep overnight. What fixes it (for me at least) is to just hit escape to put the screen/computer back to sleep and then immediately press a button to wake the computer. Logs in without issue every time. It's weird, but it's an easy workaround.

I just sold a 2017 27" iMac that I would have to do something similar. It would get in these "moods" where I would hit a key to wake it up, and it wouldn't unlock with my watch, but if I hit the escape key and click the trackpad like a psycho repeatedly it would eventually unlock. But it didn't say the wireless connection was too weak. It just wouldn't even try. And then sometimes it would unlock perfectly for days at a time. So annoying.

These things make me wonder how painful things would be using another platform. What a nightmare it must be.

 

[samdale67]

Happening here as well very frequently. Don't remember having this issue with my M1 Air.

MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)
Apple M1 Max
32 GB
MacOS 12.0.1 (21A559)

 

[mntdewdan]

I ended up getting a refurbished M1 Air and returning the Pro because this issue was just too annoying to me and I found I didn't need the power and preferred the longer battery life I got with the Air. I have not had this issue occur with the M1 Air the entire time I've had it, and although I tried a lot of things, I was unable to resolve it with the 14" Pro before I returned it.

 

[badsector]

i've got the same issues randomly each day

 

[stormchasejg]

Im getting the same thing with my 2018 Intel MBP so I think it might be a software issue rather than hardware

 

[dm501s]

Same thing my end. Happens with both my 2015 MacBook and M1 Mac mini. I’m wondering if it’s the Watch. Have called AppleCare.

 

[osxinu]

Well, add me to the list. It's happening fairly frequently with my 2021 MacBookPro M1Max and a Series 5. Seems random to me.

 

[Smoothie]

Same here with 16 inch M1 Pro and Series 6 watch.

 

[swandy]

I was having this issue - though with an M1 iMac - but it was usually because I would forget to turn the Wifi back on on the Series 7 Watch (long story). But since the macOS update the other day it was happening constantly. I called Apple Support and they asked if I had also updated watchOS which I remembered seeing the notification on the Watch after the iPhone was updated and I assumed it was done overnight. When he asked me to check the update for the Watch was downloaded to the iPhone but not installed. After I installed it to the Watch it hasn't happened since. So everyone check the version of macOS (mine is Monterey 12.1) and watchOS (mine is 8.3). That might be your issue.

 

[badsector]

I was having this issue - though with an M1 iMac - but it was usually because I would forget to turn the Wifi back on on the Series 7 Watch (long story). But since the macOS update the other day it was happening constantly. I called Apple Support and they asked if I had also updated watchOS which I remembered seeing the notification on the Watch after the iPhone was updated and I assumed it was done overnight. When he asked me to check the update for the Watch was downloaded to the iPhone but not installed. After I installed it to the Watch it hasn't happened since. So everyone check the version of macOS (mine is Monterey 12.1) and watchOS (mine is 8.3). That might be your issue.

upgraded. still having same daily issue

 

[smithdr]

Hi All:

16" M1 Max operating under MacOS 12.1 and Series 3 with operating under WatchOS 8.1. No issues with watch unlocking MBP regardless of time computer has been in sleep.

Don

 

[dizzbuster]

Add me to the list.

16" M1 Pro Monterey 12.0.1 - 32GB and 2TB Series 5 WatchOS 8.3. Never had a problem with my 16" Intel.

 

[satcomer]

You guys should be telling Apple these problems and be nice: https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html

 

[Azure29]

The problem is still not fixed. I sent Apple feedback about the problem at the link above. My Apple Watch 7 is brand new as is my computer --MacBook Pro 16 inch, M1, 16 GB, 1 TB, Monterey 12.1. I'm hoping that people will continue to monitor the problem, so that Apple will get around to fixing it.

 

[badsector]

Mine went from random fail to total unlock from sleep fails.
But was still able to unlock as admin using the watch.

Un-pair watch and followed this fix HERE
Reset BT in terminal enter command "sudo pkill bluetoothd"

Been 2 days, it's still working well