Unlock with Apple Watch not working again

BriBri

For the past couple weeks, I'm unable to unlock 1Password with my Apple Watch. I get the pop-up window saying "1Password is trying to unlock. Approve with Apple Watch..." but I never get the notification on my watch. It eventually times out. I unchecked the option to unlock with Apple Watch, restarted my Mac, reenabled unlock with Apple Watch in 1Password, and it still doesn't work. Any suggestions?

1Password for Mac 8.10.50
81050025, on PRODUCTION channel

MacOS Sequoia 15.1 (24B83)

Apple Watch Ultra
WatchOS version 11.1

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1Password Version: 8.10.50
Extension Version: N/A
OS Version: MacOS 15.1
Browser: N/A

GreyM1P

Hi there @BriBri

Are you using a Focus mode on your Mac, iPhone, or Apple Watch? These tend to sync between devices, so even if you haven't put your Apple Watch in a Focus mode directly, it might still suppress notifications (like the one to unlock 1Password on your Mac) because it's following the crowd, so to speak.

(see [System] Settings > Focus > Share across devices on each device to check)

Check the menu bar of your Mac, the status bar of your iPhone next to the time, and the face of your Apple Watch for a 🌙 Focus mode icon. It might look different if you're using a custom Focus mode. For example, it might look like these:

If you've previously chosen Custom from that list then there are additional monochrome icons you can choose.

Have a look and let me know what you find. :)

— Grey

BriBri

Hi @GreyM1P. Thanks for the suggestion. I appreciate your quick response. Unfortunately, I don't use Focus mode on any of my Apple devices.

Dave_1P

@BriBri

Thanks for confirming that you're not using focus modes. Can you try the following test to see if your Apple Watch works to authenticate macOS system prompts:

1. Click on the  in the menu bar.
2. Click System Settings.
3. Click Privacy & Security.
4. Click Advanced.
5. As a temporary troubleshooting step, turn on "Log out automatically after inactivity".
6. You'll now see a macOS system prompt asking you to confirm the action. You should receive a double-tap notification on your Apple Watch.

Are you able to use the Apple Watch to authenticate the macOS system prompt? This will tell us if the problem is limited to 1Password or if it's part of a bigger issue. Once this test is complete you can turn off "Log out automatically after inactivity" if you wish.

-Dave

BriBri

Hi @Dave_1P
Thanks for helping me try to figure this out. Oddly, no notifications came to my watch when I tried to enable this and it eventually timed out. Unlocking my Mac with the watch works well but making changes to system settings doesn't. Any suggestions?

GreyM1P

@BriBri

If you're not seeing a notification on your Apple Watch to approve an action in System Settings, then something isn't right. 1Password isn't involved at all in System Settings, so at that point we can say confidently that the issue lies outside 1Password for Mac and is actually more to do with how your Mac and Apple Watch communicate. We've heard reports that this can happen from some of our customers, and as much as we can't fix it, it at least would explain what's happening with 1Password.

Let Apple know what you've found in System Settings (and mention that it therefore can't be a 1Password problem) and see what they say. If they offer you a solution which you find effective, could you post it here so that we might be able to advise other customers of ours who run into similar problems?

☞ Contact Apple for support and service – Apple Support

Hope to hear how that conversation goes if you have the time to report back.

BriBri

Will do. Thanks again, @GreyM1P

GreyM1P

@BriBri – You're welcome! :)

olsharky

Same problem here since a week or two.
All kind of notifications for the Apple Watch work, it seems that just 1Password having problems.

• 1Password for Mac 8.10.52 (81052025)
• macOS 15.1.1
• Apple Watch 11.1

Update: Sorry, forget that the macOS unlock did also not work. Found the solution (Apple su*s).

1. Turn off WiFi on Mac
2. Turn off "Watch Unlock" on Mac
3. Shut down Mac
4. Shut down Watch
5. Turn on Mac
6. Turn on Watch
7. Turn on WiFi on Mac
8. Turn on "Watch Unlock" on Mac

Source: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255771338?sortBy=rank

RedDragon1157

I was not seeing the 1Password Settings option to unlock with Apple Watch. I started noticing this this week (18-Nov-2024). My system configuration is similar to olsharky:

• 1Password for Mac 8.10.52 (81052025)
• macOS 15.1.1
• Apple Watch 11.1

I do not have any problems with using the Apple Watch to unlock MacOS settings.

11:55 AM EST: Just checked the settings again & now I can see the 1Password setting options for the Apple Watch. I will try rebooting my Mac to test whether watch unlock is restored.

Dave_1P

@olsharky

I'm glad that you were able to resolve the issue.

-Dave

Dave_1P

@RedDragon1157

I'm sorry that you're having trouble with Apple Watch unlock. Are you still experiencing the issue?

11:55 AM EST: Just checked the settings again & now I can see the 1Password setting options for the Apple Watch. I will try rebooting my Mac to test whether watch unlock is restored.

Make sure that your Apple Watch is on your wrist and unlocked, that's needed for the Watch option to appear in the 1Password app.

-Dave

RedDragon1157

The issue is intermittent and I have yet to figure out a pattern. The good news is that recently it has been working fine. I will keep an eye out for my Watch lock/unlock state and Focus state. I will report back if I am able to debug the conditions for reproducing the issue.