Apple Working on OS X 10.12 Feature Allowing Macs to Be Unlocked via iPhone's Touch ID

[MacRumors]

Unlocking an iPhone via Touch ID in lieu of a passcode makes it much easier to maintain security while preserving convenience, and Touch ID's ease of use has left many Mac users wondering when a similar feature might be introduced for Apple's desktop and notebook machines.

There has been speculation Apple might introduce dedicated Touch ID fingerprint scanning hardware for the Mac, but as it turns out, Apple is working on a simpler way to allow a Touch ID to unlock a Mac, and it's a feature that could be included in OS X 10.12.

Apple engineers are designing an auto unlock function that would allow an iPhone to unlock a Mac when in close proximity, alleviating the need to enter a password on a password-protected Mac.

The feature, which uses Bluetooth LE frameworks, will presumably work similarly to the automatic unlocking function on the Apple Watch, which allows an unlocked iPhone to bypass the passcode restriction on a connected Apple Watch. In this scenario, an iPhone's Touch ID button would likely be used as a verification method for simpler logins.

It's also possible that a connection with an Apple Watch could be used to unlock the Mac even when an iPhone isn't present, making the process even simpler. This concept has already been demonstrated through the Knock app for the iPhone and Apple Watch, using a Bluetooth connection to unlock a Mac instead of a password. Knock requires an iOS app and a Mac app to work, but an Apple-designed feature will undoubtedly be simpler.

The unlocking feature would likely work hand-in-hand with Apple Pay support for web browsers, also rumored to be coming soon. Remote Touch ID authentication from the iPhone or Apple Watch may be used to confirm purchases made via Siri on the Mac.

Features planned for OS X 10.12 are not yet set in stone, so there is a chance that the unlocking function could be shelved until a later date if work is not completed in time.

Because OS X 10.11 El Capitan focused heavily on internal updates and optimizations, Apple appears to be aiming to debut new features in OS X 10.12. Along with the unlocking feature, Apple is also working on integrating Siri into the Mac and we may see improvements to Photos and iTunes.

Details on Siri for Mac and the prospective design of the dock and menu bar icons can be seen in a post we shared yesterday.

Article Link: Apple Working on OS X 10.12 Feature Allowing Macs to Be Unlocked via iPhone's Touch ID

 

[garirry]

Honestly, I hope this is temporary and there will be a fingerprint sensor built into Macs. Not everyone has iPhones, and most importantly, I'm not about to pull out my phone to unlock it, open an app, then fingerprint it again. Might as well enter my 6-digit password because that's about as secure my computer needs to be since nobody even has access to it.

 

[Icaras]

Siri, Touch ID unlock, and hopefully a redesigned iTunes? 10.12 is getting more interesting by the day. Only one more month to go

 

[Pakaku]

This is something I've wanted to see since it was introduced, except by putting it into something like the keyboard.

 

[Ballis]

Picking up my phone to unlock my mac doesn't make anything easier. Adding a sensor to the keyboard will.

 

[costica1234]

MacID already does that: https://macid.co. I have it and it works flawlessly!

 

[DCJ001]

If you like this feature, you can get it for iPhones/iPads with Touch ID in the App Store now - MacID.

 

[Muscle Master]

This is dumb as hell... Put a Touch ID sensor on one of the keys and be done with it

 

[Brad9893]

Presumably Apple will unveil 10.12 at WWDC less than a month away, so shouldn't features be set into stone at this point? It's either coming or it's not.

 

[Bbqthis]

Honestly, I hope this is temporary and there will be a fingerprint sensor built into Macs. Not everyone has iPhones, and most importantly, I'm not about to pull out my phone to unlock it, open an app, then fingerprint it again. Might as well enter my 6-digit password because that's about as secure my computer needs to be since nobody even has access to it.

Where would you propose putting the finger print scanner?

 

[sniffies]

OMG, finally, Taylor heard my prayers!!!!

None of the third-party apps are 100% perfect or reliable. Native solution is the best solution.

 

[heehee]

And they will only have this feature on the latest Macs and iPhones.

 

[devinthomas]

This is all I've ever waned. MacID is spotty at best.

 

[garirry]

Where would you propose putting the finger print scanner?

On MacBook Pros, you could just put it near the power button, and change the power button to something else. On desktop computers, just place it directly into the power button, it's round anyway so there won't be any design complications. On MacBooks it might be a problem though, I'll admit.

 

[Parasprite]

If it works as well as Handoff/AirPlay, I think I'll stick with a password for now...

 

[TouchMint.com]

Idk does it take that long to log in? Cool feature but front page news worthy prob not.

 

[RogerWilco]

Another solution in search of a problem to solve. Who really needs this? And what are the security implications of the handshake/data transfers needed between iOS and OS X?

 

[American Hero]

There has been speculation Apple might introduce dedicated Touch ID fingerprint scanning hardware for the Mac, but as it turns out, Apple is working on a simpler way to allow a Touch ID to unlock a Mac, and it's a feature that could be included in OS X 10.12.

Apple engineers are designing an auto unlock function that would allow an iPhone to unlock a Mac when in close proximity, alleviating the need to enter a password on a password-protected Mac.

Google has had this feature for years. In fact, it's not limited to just a Phone unlocking a computer... it's also available in a proximate area, and also when you connect certain devices to blue tooth and NFC. Although this is strictly for having your phone staying unlocked, but Apple is copying the same basic ideas but limiting it to Mac's when the iPhone/Watch is nearby instead.

 

[Bbqthis]

On MacBook Pros, you could just put it near the power button, and change the power button to something else. On desktop computers, just place it directly into the power button, it's round anyway so there won't be any design complications. On MacBooks it might be a problem though, I'll admit.

I would think it would be better to implement it as part of the trackpad/mouse. Reaching behind my iMac or a Mac Pro to unlock the machine with a fingerprint seems awfully inconvenient.

 

[polaris20]

This is dumb as hell... Put a Touch ID sensor on one of the keys and be done with it

This isn't "dumb as hell". It effectively gives you pseudo-two factor authentication, because to get into the Mac, you need the phone, AND the fingerprint.

I'd like the option to require both the phone and a password to get into the machine.

 

[Rogifan]

This is dumb as hell... Put a Touch ID sensor on one of the keys and be done with it

Isn't Touch ID integrated with Apple's A-series chips? Or is it a separate thing?

 

[riffcat]

This is acceptable as long as people keep in mind Touch ID is not a security feature it is a convienence feature.

 

[rudychidiac]

I currently use MacID and it works perfectly. I set it to unlock my macbook whenever I enter the room. However the only inconvenience is that it requires to keep the iOS app open which is annoying sometimes.

 

[American Hero]

This is dumb as hell... Put a Touch ID sensor on one of the keys and be done with it

Touch ID doesn't even have to be on one of the keys. Just build the sensor right into the track pad. Second, partner with Visa Checkout & MasterCard Paypass so users can use Apple Pay right from a Mac in places where those payment services are accepted, and build on from there.

I can't believe an average guy like me knows more than Tim Cook and his "innovators" at Apple.

 

[Shpyda]

Please make this happen!!!!!!!!