According to a report from MacRumors, an OS X feature under construction by Apple may let people unlock their Mac by way of Touch ID on a paired iPhone.
Under the proposed system, a device link would be established via Bluetooth LE, letting the iPhone unlock the Mac once it’s within close proximity. The site didn’t reveal the source of its information, but has previously claimed to have a connection familiar with Apple software development.
The new feature will reportedly appear in OS X 10.12. It’s speculated that Apple might also allow people to unlock a Mac using only an Apple Watch, though the company would have to devise a way to ensure security.
Users can already experience similar technology through Knock, a third-party platform that involves setting up Mac and iOS apps, and then knocking on an iPhone twice to unlock.
If iPhone unlocks are coming to OS X 10.12, they will likely be revealed at next month’s WWDC event in San Francisco, where Apple regularly previews new versions of OS X and iOS. The software is also expected to add Siri support to Macs for the first time, and may be rebranded as MacOS.
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MacID has been doing that. Got to admit that doing it without any extra app could be a good thing. Let us wait and see!
I have been using Near Lock. It’s a hit and miss.
Curious to see the implementation. Fishing your phone out of your pocket to see if it’s detected the Mac (because you KNOW there’ll be times where it won’t), using Touch ID, and then putting your phone away seems like about the same amount of effort as just typing the password.
I’ll admit this seems like a better fit for the watch. Better implementation would be new macs with nfc, when your wrist approaches the keyboard of the Mac it unlocks.
“I’ll admit this seems like a better fit for the watch”
Agreed.
Near Lock works with Apple Watch..as I walk back to my Mac, the notification comes up on the watch for me to tap “unlock”…except it’s hit and miss..
they should implement TouchID right on the macbook. that owuld be a better option than going in ur pocket to grab your phone.. what’st he point of that? i can type in my password faster than that.
TouchID is integrated with the Secure Enclave on your iPad / iPhone. To have TouchID right on the MB, Apple may have to transition Macs to their own custom ARM processor like you have on iDevices.
I’ve used all third-party apps out there and eventually moved back to password. It was either not properly detected when close, or it made the OS unstable. If Apple gets it right, it would be an awesome feature!
new MacBooks should get Touch ID to unlock and buy stuff online
I can type my password in less time than it takes to pick up my phone and authenticated.