Apple CEO Tim Cook looks at the new 27 inch iMac with 5K retina display during an Apple special event (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Apple could be planning to make Touch ID a method of unlocking their Macs in the near future through the anticipated OS X 10.12 update.
Unlocking iPhones via the Touch ID is quicker and more secure compared to manually typing a passcode or a PIN in the public. Passwords can be quickly stolen at a glance but fingerprints can be harder to steal.
Apple's Touch ID feature allows iPhone users to quickly unlock their phone with just the touch of their finger. If the phone is left at a friend's house, nobody else would be able to unlock the device besides the owner.
Since the Macs do not really have fingerprint sensors featured in their system, users did not hope for the capability. However, Apple may have the solution for those who own both a Mac and an iPhone.
Engineers from Apple are reportedly developing an auto lock function that would require a user to place his or her iPhone within the proximity of the Mac in order to unlock it, Mac Rumors reported. Just like Touch ID, it would be faster than having to type a 10-character password.
Of course, the security feature would not work without the fingerprint of the owner. It would not be simple as stealing the iPhone in order to unlock the Mac.
The new feature is expected to be included in the upcoming OS X 10.12 update for Apple's computers. However, the Cupertino-based company has not confirmed anything yet.
For those users who cannot wait for the actual feature to be unveiled, they can try out a similar tech. Third-party platform Knock allows users to "knock" on their iPhones to unlock a Mac, Apple Insider reported. While it does not do the exact same thing the reports claim, it can be a great alternative to those who like to lock their Macs but do not want to type in long passwords.
Apple is expected to confirm and reveal more details about the OS X 10.12 update at their upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference event in San Francisco. Their Touch ID tech could possibly do more for Macs and iPhones.
