macOS Catalina lets you approve even more with Apple Watch

Using the Apple Watch to authenticate even more in macOS Catalina

The Apple Watch is already a worthwhile tool that allows owners to unlock their Mac for quick and easy access. It also allows owners to authenticate an Apple Pay purchase. But now that particular feature is broadening.

Announced at this year’s WWDC, Apple is now allowing the Apple Watch to authenticate even more with the upcoming launch of macOS Catalina. With the changes, viewing password on your Mac, and approving app installations, can all be approved with the Apple Watch.

Here’s a quick overview of the changes Apple is rolling out later this year:

Viewing Passwords

If you want to view the saved passwords on your Mac, you will need to insert your Mac’s password to have that privilege. However, to help streamline that process, Apple is making it possible to authenticate who you are with the Apple Watch. When you want to view passwords in macOS Catalina, you will be able to simply double-click the side button on your Apple Watch to authenticate your identity.

Approving App Installations & More

Now, with macOS Catalina and an Apple Watch, you will be able to not only authorize and approve an app’s installation on your Mac, but you will also be able to unlock a locked note, unlock access to settings in the System Preferences app, and even modify root files. Just as detailed above, you’ll need to only double-click the side button on the Apple Watch when prompted to authenticate and move ahead.

Quick And Easy Authentication

Typing in passwords has been simple muscle memory for a lot of users all over the globe for a long time, but Apple wants to help them break that habit. The Apple Watch already makes logging into your computer fast and easy, and these new additions to viewing passwords and authenticating other elements just doubles down on that idea.

Do you think this is one feature in macOS Catalina that you’ll use frequently?