Lock or Unlock Your Mac with Any Bluetooth Device

**Matt Savoca** · 06-30-2011, 02:53 PM

Lifehacker has posted a nifty little guide that allows Mac users to lock and unlock their computers simply using any bluetooth capable device. The idea is that when the bluetooth device comes in range of the Mac, it would unlock your Mac without the need for user interaction. And when you leave the area, your Mac would lock on its own.

The guide requires the use of a utility for Mac called Proximity, along with a couple of simple AppleScripts written up by mech14 at MacWorld Hints. The setup is quite easy, and the entire process can be downloaded over at Lifehacker, and it includes a readme file to help you out should anything go wrong.

I gave the entire guide a shot, and the whole process was quick and painless, and worked just as advertised on my Mac. I used my own iPhone, and when I left the room, the screensaver turned on, when I came back, it all unlocked on its own. The trick will be certain to save me a few extra moments when I return to my desk, not to mention, it’s also pretty cool. It also is nice that there is no app required, which allows any bluetooth device to work with the created scripts.

Be sure to check out the LifeHacker article, and give it a shot yourself!

**CZroe** · 06-30-2011, 03:12 PM

OK. Now, how do we do this with a PC?

**kline1** · 06-30-2011, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by CZroe

OK. Now, how do we do this with a PC?

lol PC!

**feidhlim1986** · 06-30-2011, 03:36 PM

Cool little tweak

**buttrr76** · 06-30-2011, 03:38 PM

this has been out for sometime now

**tewen** · 06-30-2011, 03:38 PM

nice! but where is the tutorial link?

**Cer0** · 06-30-2011, 04:02 PM

Will this keep the screen saver from coming on too. Like if I'm sitting in the room just hanging out but not moving mouse or anything.

**wgm214** · 06-30-2011, 05:05 PM

Does bluetooth need to be on all the time on your phone for this to work?

**Quaddy** · 06-30-2011, 05:05 PM

i was doing this with a usb dongle and a round button battery powered proximity sensor on win boxes in 2004-5 - the round sensor had a neck lanyard, and was quite affective in that when you were in range it would unlock for you, and vice versa - handy when having to quickly rush to the call of nature and having nosey work colleagues etc - very suprised this is only now being an option.

**xhedgehogx** · 06-30-2011, 05:21 PM

So the idea behind this is the Mac will always be locked unless my iPhone is in bluetooth range of it?

Btw I haven't been on modmyi.com in a few months and what the heck happened to this place?! It's a mess!

**iTouch-Warrior** · 06-30-2011, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by xhedgehogx

So the idea behind this is the Mac will always be locked unless my iPhone is in bluetooth range of it?

Btw I haven't been on modmyi.com in a few months and what the heck happened to this place?! It's a mess!

Yes, that's pretty much it. This has been available for Linux (I used it in Ubuntu) for years now.

And I agree, this place is under major overhauling and it's been a mess for a few weeks now...and apparently will remain that way for a while.

**xhedgehogx** · 06-30-2011, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by iTouch-Warrior

Yes, that's pretty much it. This has been available for Linux (I used it in Ubuntu) for years now.

And I agree, this place is under major overhauling and it's been a mess for a few weeks now...and apparently will remain that way for a while.

Ah, thanks for clearing that up. The one issue I can see with this is what happens if my iPhone stops working? I don't see anywhere as a backup option to get on.

**iTouch-Warrior** · 06-30-2011, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by xhedgehogx

Ah, thanks for clearing that up. The one issue I can see with this is what happens if my iPhone stops working? I don't see anywhere as a backup option to get on.

Back in Linux you had the option to switch devices or deactivate the tweak altogether, but I quite frankly haven't got around to testing it on Mac. I guess there should be a way to delete/deactivate the tweak just in case...

**Go Gators** · 06-30-2011, 06:40 PM

I've been doing this for at least a couple of years now with a program called Airlock. Works great.

**xNEOxGENESISx** · 06-30-2011, 08:20 PM

Sounds cool, but if I was to do with with my iphone, then it will drain my battery like no other. It's already bad enough...hah

**buttrr76** · 06-30-2011, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by xhedgehogx

So the idea behind this is the Mac will always be locked unless my iPhone is in bluetooth range of it?

Btw I haven't been on modmyi.com in a few months and what the heck happened to this place?! It's a mess!

Your telling me. I have seen it transform loo

**enigma1969** · 07-01-2011, 01:22 AM

Originally Posted by CZroe

OK. Now, how do we do this with a PC?

Try the following: BlueProximity | Download BlueProximity software for free at SourceForge.net

**madflying** · 07-01-2011, 01:25 AM

Originally Posted by Go Gators

I've been doing this for at least a couple of years now with a program called Airlock. Works great.

Hello, I have looked for Airlock on the app store, but i cannot find it, any chance you can direct me to it, pls?

**bender o** · 07-01-2011, 08:46 AM

I have one question, when I close my Macbook Pro and I have my iPhone connected, if I leave you can just open it and it won't ask for the password until it realizes you're gone and close the mac again, is there a way to fix this? The whole point I use a password is in case it gets stolen but with this bug the thief could just open my mac and never close it again and he'll never have to enter the password.

**Go Gators** · 07-01-2011, 02:44 PM

Deleted post.

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