Apple Watch and Mac are two different devices developed by Apple Inc. On the one hand, Apple’s wearable gadget provides tons of fitness information and Apple Pay accessibility, whereas, on the other hand, Mac is a computer that runs on compatible software based on macOS. Apple provided a new feature, “Auto Unlock.” It can be used to pair your Apple Watch to the Mac for unlocking the device. For this procedure to work, you need macOS Sierra or above on Mac and watchOS 3 or above on your wearable device.

When you have paired both the devices, you can easily unlock your computer automatically by sitting down in front of it. It won’t ask you to enter your account passcode. Here’s how:

Specs and System Requirements for Setting up Auto Unlock Feature

Before going through the detailed procedure for auto-unlocking the device, it is recommended to read these prerequisites as these tips are necessary for both the devices:

• Make sure that your wearable gadget or Mac is compatible with this process.
• Now, ensure to set up two-factor authentication for your iCloud account.
• Check and make sure that your devices are running on supported operating systems.
• Ensure that your Watch is running on at least watchOS 3, and for Mac, the minimum requirement is macOS Sierra.

Note: If you are using the latest edition of the Apple Watch, you need watchOS 4 or above.

• Now, you should check and make sure that your Mac and Apple Watch are linked to the same iCloud account.
• Then, ensure that your Watch and Mac both have a secure passcode because it’s necessary to use the Auto-Unlock feature on your device.
• It is also mandatory to set up a secure login password on your Mac.
• Finally, you need to keep the Auto-Unlock feature enabled on your wearable device during the entire process.

Updating Software on Apple Watch and Mac

As it is mandatory to have macOS Sierra or above on Mac and watchOS 3 or later on Apple Watch to pair both the devices for the automatic unlocking feature to work, you need to check for recent or compatible updates for the device you are using. Here’s how:

On Apple Watch

• Go to the Settings section.
• Then, hit the General tab.
• Now, press the Software Update button.
• If there is any recent update available, then install it instantly.

On Mac

• First of all, open the Mac App Store.
• Then, tap the Updates section by navigating the upper-left edge.
• After that, if you find any latest updates, then install the same on the device.

Activating Auto Unlock on Mac

When you have prepared your gadgets properly, then activating Auto Unlock will be an effortless procedure. To do so, follow these steps:

• At the start, hit the Apple icon from the top-left edge of your display.
• Then, choose the option System Preferences from the pull-drop menu.
• After that, hit the Privacy and Security option.
• Now, press the General tab.
• Mark the box related to using the Apple Watch for unlocking apps and Mac.
• The process will take some time to proceed, so wait patiently until you get the confirmation.

Apple provides several interesting tools for its users. One such interesting feature is “Auto Unlock.” It can be used to unlock a device by pairing your Apple Watch and Mac. Once the pairing is successful, sit down in front of the device you want to unlock. Wait for a little for the process to complete.

Tim Cross is from Ohio USA. Before he started writing blogs he went through various occupations such as teaching, programming and travelling. But his favorite job is writing blogs for antivirus technology for mcafee.com/activate.

Source : How to Turn On Auto Unlock on your Mac and Apple Watch?

Some MacBook Pro and Air versions sport Touch ID features. Apple is now providing Touch ID functionality in its MacBook Air and Pro devices as an in-built feature on the keyboard. Setting up a Touch ID on these two versions of MacBooks is very easy. It will take you a moment to register yourself to this security feature even if you are new to Mac.

Here are the steps to follow on how to use Touch ID on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro:

Set up and Use Touch ID on Mac

At the first step, you will be required to register your fingerprint for using Touch ID security features on your MacBook.

You can register up to three fingers for this process at any time with a total limit of five across Touch ID accounts. All the registered fingers will then be saved and stored in encrypted form into the Secure Enclave on your Mac.

Now, let’s start with these offered steps on how to register your fingerprint as touch ID:

Adding Fingerprint

Here are the steps to add your fingerprint on MacBook Pro and MacBook Air editions:

• Firstly, locate and tap the Apple menu.
• Next, choose the System Preferences option.
• Then, select the Touch ID preference pane.
• After that, hit the tab “Add a Fingerprint.”
• Type your user passcode there.
• Pursue all the on-screen directions to register your finger by placing the finger on the sensor of the Touch ID. You have to keep placing your finger on the sensor until the registration procedure completes.

Naming a Fingerprint

Pursue these instructions to name the fingerprint you have registered recently:

• First of all, hit the Apple Menu and then choose the System Preferences tab.
• Now, select the preference panel of your Touch ID.
• Hit the Tab key to let it rotate through every fingerprint option, or you can directly tap the specific name of your fingerprint.
• Now, rename your fingerprint and proceed.
• Hit the Return key there.

Deleting a Fingerprint

Below are the instructions to follow for removing a specific fingerprint:

• Hit the Apple icon and then choose the System Preferences option.
• Choose the preference bar of Touch ID.
• Now, move to the fingerprint icon you desire to delete until you view the cross-signed icon at the top-left edge. Then, tap on it.
• Type the secure passcode there.
• Hit the Delete key to verify.

Changing Touch ID Settings

Follow these steps to change the settings of your Touch ID:

• Initially, hit the Apple menu and then tap the section of System Preferences.
• Press the preference panel of your Touch ID.
• Now, mark or unmark the options as per your wish.

Using Touch ID on MacBook Air or MacBook Pro

After creating the Touch ID on your device, boot your Mac and then get into the account using Touch ID. To do so, follow these straightforward instructions:

Login to Account Using Touch ID

Here are the steps to sign in with your Touch ID:

• Get started by launching the closed MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. Alternatively, hit the Touch ID tab.
• Place your finger over the Touch ID sensor.

Switch User via Touch ID

Follow these instructions to switch user with your Touch ID:

• Firstly, turn on your MacBook Air or Pro.
• Then, tap the Touch ID option.
• Now, place the finger on your Touch ID sensor.

Rebooting MacBook Air and MacBook Pro

Here is how to reboot your MacBook Pro and MacBook Air:

• At the start, open and hold down the Touch ID tab.
• Then, keep holding the tab until you view the bootup display.

Touch ID is one of the most important utilities that provide quick security to the device. Apple has introduced this feature on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro devices. To get started, open the device, hit the Apple icon. Now, click the System Preferences tab, and then register your finger and generate a password.

Jason Bravo is a Microsoft Office expert and has been working in the technical industry since 2005. As a technical expert, Jason has written technical, manuals blogs, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as office.com/setup.

Source : How to Set Up and Use Touch ID on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro?

The introduction of iOS 14.2 brought a new voice messaging feature: Intercom. It will help you send your own recordings quickly as voice messages to anyone via the Home app on iOS devices like iPhone, HomePod, etc.

If you want to know more about the Intercom feature and how to use the same, then read the post to the end:

Set Up Intercom in Home App

First, you have to update your device OS to iOS 14.2. An Intercom screen will display once you open the Home app on your device. The displayed Intercom screen will guide you through the entire setup procedure. To know more, follow these steps:

• At the start, open the Home app on your device.
• Then, press the Continue tab once the Intercom prompt comes into view.
• After that, choose the time when you like to accept Intercom Notifications with just a single tab.
• Now, hit the Continue button there.
• Next, toggle the switch located just after the name of the person.
• Once you are all done, hit the Continue tab to complete the setup procedure.

Using Siri to access the iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or HomePod as an Intercom

Here are the guidelines to control Intercom features with Siri AI:

• Initially, you have to activate Siri.
• Then, give it the voice command like “Send an Intercom,” or “Intercom” followed by your message. Once you have finished speaking, Siri will send the message automatically to everyone in your Home app.

Note: In case you desire to send an intercom message to a specific HomePod or a particular person in the Home app, give Siri a command such as “Intercom Christopher,” or” Intercom to the Living Room,” followed by your message.

Using an iPhone or iPad as an Intercom with the Home App

Here are the steps to use the iPhone and iPad as Intercom with the Home app:

• Open the Home app directly on your device.
• Then, press the Intercom tab situated just near the upper right edge.
• Now, deliver your message that you want to send to your Home.
• Next, hit the Done button there.
• If you desire to cancel your message, hit the cross (X) mark or hit anywhere outside your intercom screen.

Using Apple Watch as Intercom with the Home App

Follow these steps to use Apple Watch as Intercom with your Home App:

• At the start, open the Home app directly on your device.
• After that, press the Intercom tab there.
• Now, speak out the message that you desire to send to your Home.
• Next, hit the Done tab to send.

Note: If you want to cancel your message, hit the Back tab.

Managing Intercom Notifications on iOS Devices

Follow these steps to manage Intercom Notifications on your iPad or iPhone:

• First of all, open the Home app.
• Then, press the House icon there.
• Next, hit the Home Settings button.
• Click the Intercom option.
• Now, select the slot when you wish to receive Intercom Notifications with just a single tap. You can easily use any of the options like Anywhere, Never, When I’m Home. These options can be utilized to determine when you want to send notifications.

Managing HomePod Intercom Access

Follow these steps to manage HomePod Intercom Accesses:

• At the start, open the Home app on your device.
• Now, hit the House icon there.
• Press the Home Settings.
• Tap the Intercom option.
• Choose the HomePods you want to use Intercom with the switch located just after the name of your HomePod.

Managing Intercom Permissions

Here are the instructions to follow for managing Intercom Permissions:

• Open the Home app on your device.
• Then, press the House tab.
• Hit the Home Settings button.
• Tap on Intercom.
• Now, toggle the bar located next to a person’s name with a single tap to activate or deactivate Intercom services.

Intercom is a voice-based messaging service that works with the Home app. To get started, open the Home app and then hit the Intercom tab. You can also use Siri for sending messages via Intercom.

Elina John is a self-professed security expert; she has been making the people aware of the security threats. Her passion is to write about Cyber security, cryptography, malware, social engineering, internet and new media. She writes for mcafee security products at mcafee.com/activate.

Source : How to Use Intercom on HomePod, iPhone, and more?