Apple’s first foray into fingerprint recognition launched with the iPhone 5s’ Touch ID and soon spread to the iPhone 6 and new iPads. Now, a new app is bringing fingerprint authentication to your Mac via an Apple smartphone or tablet.
Dubbed FingerKey, the application allows users to unlock their computer with a fingerprint, eliminating the need to type a password each time you want to access the machine.
A widget in the Notification Centre means you can access FingerKey from anywhere, and the app uses Bluetooth 4.0 to pair with your Mac. (Bluetooth 4.0 was added to the MacBook Air in 2011, the MacBook Pro and iMac in 2012, and the Mac Pro last year.) It boasts 256-bit AES encryption to protect your data and is capable of unlocking multiple machines at the same time.
Priced at $1.99, the app requires iOS 8 or higher. The App Store page currently notes a connectivity issue affecting the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. A fix is apparently on the way.
