can't unlock my Mac with Apple Watch after resetting passwords

[tboyd37]

my iPhone and iCloud Keychain advised me my most recent password for my Apple ID was to weak.. I finally broke down and reset it.. after getting my watch, iPhone iPad and Mac all back in sync with the password my Mac then was rejecting my password for it and made me reset it..

upon resetting that and having to enable Touch ID as well because it wiped my fingerprints I now can't get my watch and Mac to communicate to turn the setting back on to unlock my Mac via the watch.. I verified that all devices are on the same wifi network, the watch is on my wrist and unlocked and my iPhone is unlocked as per all instructions.. any suggestions?? im on Big Sur 11.3.1 on a 2020 intel air with a series 4 watch running 7.4.1 and my iPhone is an 11pro running 14.5.1.. I've also restarted all 3 devices and they still won't communicate.. please help before I make an unnecessary call to AppleCare lol

 

[Apple_Robert]

Open Mac Preferences > Privacy and try unlocking with the watch again. Does Preferences show any error message such as the Apple Watch is unable to communicate...?

 

[tboyd37]

sure does

 

[Apple_Robert]

sure does

Is the watch communicating correctly with the Phone? Is the watch showing notifications, email and other things it was doing before you changed your password?

Open the watch app on your phone and tap on General > Apple ID. Is your Apple ID email showing? If it isn't, that means your watch is not signed into your Apple ID.

 

[tboyd37]

Yup it is and thank you because I had for got to double check it

 

[Apple_Robert]

Yup it is and thank you because I had for got to double check it

I know it is a pain in the butt but, sign out of your Mac, and phone, and reboot all 3 devices afterward. Once they have rebooted, sign back in to your Apple ID and see if that triggers your Mac to recognize and connect with your watch.