Touch ID makes it simple and easy to unlock your iPhone, but Mac users aren’t so lucky. Manually entering a passcode is still the norm for most access-controlled devices. This could all change with Apple’s next Mac Update, OS X 10.12, which could bring a form of remote touch ID.
Since a fingerprint scanner would require a hardware change, Apple is looking into an auto lock function that would grant iPhones access to the Mac’s security when nearby. Using Bluetooth, the feature would work similarly to the Apple Watch’s iPhone unlock function. When paired together, the iPhone automatically bypasses the Apple Watch’s security protocol. It may also be possible to unlock Macs using the Apple Watch itself.
Apple is rumored to bring Apple Pay support to the web, and the Remote Touch ID feature relies on the same Bluetooth LE communication protocol. Touch ID will reportedly be used to confirm Apple Pay purchases.
Apple is expected to unveil OS X 10.12 at WWDC between June 13-17. It’s unclear if the remote touch ID feature will be ready in time for the event.
