Should a locked Apple Watch be able to unlock a Mac?

[MilaM]

I have an Apple Watch 7 and an Intel iMac from 2015, both running the latest OS (Ventura, watchOS 9.5). I have set up the feature where the Apple Watch automatically logs me into macOS. It works fine so far, but the following thing puzzles me.

I noticed, that the Apple Watch will unlock the Mac even if it itself is in the locked state, where you have to enter the watches PIN. That seems like a questionable security decision on Apple's part

Is this behavior expected, or could this be a bug in the OS?

 

[jz0309]

I have an Apple Watch 7 and an Intel iMac from 2015, both running the latest OS (Ventura, watchOS 9.5). I have set up the feature where the Apple Watch automatically logs me into macOS. It works fine so far, but the following thing puzzles me.

I noticed, that the Apple Watch will unlock the Mac even if it itself is in the locked state, where you have to enter the watches PIN. That seems like a questionable security decision on Apple's part

Is this behavior expected, or could this be a bug in the OS?

I just tried that and on my MBA it says "Apple Watch must be unlocked ..." so works as expected. latest OS on both.
are you really sure your AW was indeed locked?

 

[MilaM]

Yes. It was NOT on my wrist and it had the lock symbol on the top of the screen.

I got the watch a couple of days ago and just wasn't sure how it is supposed to work. So a locked watch should not be able to unlock the Mac, correct?

 

[jz0309]

Unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch - Apple Support

While you’re wearing Apple Watch, your Mac can sense when you’re nearby and automatically log you in. You can also use Apple Watch to approve other requests for your administrator password.

support.apple.com

 

[MilaM]

Ok. I think I know what happened. When you open the Watch app on your iPhone it unlocks the Watch. And then when you wake the Mac shortly after that, it will automatically log you in to you Mac.

 

[iStorm]

Ok. I think I know what happened. When you open the Watch app on your iPhone it unlocks the Watch. And then when you wake the Mac shortly after that, it will automatically log you in to you Mac.

That was my suspicion too, but just unlocking your phone will unlock the watch...the watch app itself does not unlock it.

Lock or unlock Apple Watch

Unlock your Apple Watch and adjust passcode settings.

support.apple.com

 

[Bichon]

That was my suspicion too, but just unlocking your phone will unlock the watch...the watch app itself does not unlock it.

Definitely. That's my regular morning routine: watch off charger and onto wrist, iPhone off charger, swipe up on iPhone for Face ID to unlock both devices. Fast and easy!

 

[MilaM]

That was my suspicion too, but just unlocking your phone will unlock the watch...the watch app itself does not unlock it.

Lock or unlock Apple Watch

Unlock your Apple Watch and adjust passcode settings.

support.apple.com

You are right. I mentioned the watch app, because it was the last one I used.

Mystery solved