Is there a fingerprint reader for mac mini?

http://www.neurotechnology.com/cgi-bin/fingerprint-scanners.cgi?group=platforms_ linux_mac

64 bit readers are more likely to be able to work with Mac OS X 10.9.

There are some readers out there that aren't 10.9 compatible.

Check http://www.roaringapps.com/ to see if any of the first ones listed are listed for 10.9 compatibility.

If not, check each vendor.

I have been trying to find one, and it appears that the manufacturers of these devices support Windows of many flavours, Linux, Android... but not OS X!

Here's a recent list of the market leaders: http://fingerprint-scanner-review.toptenreviews.com

If I were to guess, I'd say that the login security in OS X (which causes problems for software like LogMeIn, for example) prevents these devices from working properly. This is certainly what I found when trying the various fingerprint readers from Eikon which claimed to be OS X compatible.

Apple have recently applied for a touch id patent, and rumours abound that future iMacs, Powerbooks, etc. will have this technology integrated.

The Upek Eikon used to work perfectly until OS X 10.8, this is the reason I haven't upgraded my 2011 iMac to Mavericks/Yosemite. I want to have a good password and I also want to make it easy for my wife to logon to the computer (using fingerprint authentication). When I upgraded my 2010 Macbook Air to Mavericks, the portable version of the Upek Eikon failed to work.

Apple actually bought the company that makes these fingerprint readers, so hopefully there will indeed be an integrated version of it in the near future. Still, it is very disappointing that they completely killed support for the only perfectly working fingerprint reader for OS X at that time 😟 When they took over Authentec, the authentec website actually completely disappeared; is didn't even show any explanation about what happened to the company.

Here's hoping to a better future with easier logon mechanisms... so far I'm really loving the fingerprint logon with my iPhone 6 🙂

Hakuna,

What software do you use with the Upek Eikon. Do you use a password manager like 1password? I need to get a fingerprint scanner for one of the directors in the organization that I work for. He is the only one using a mac. Everybody else uses Windows with a badge reader. I would appreciate it if you answer a few questions.

1. With the fingerprint scanner can you login into the mac?

2. Can you use the fingerprint scanner when the Mac prompts you for your password? (when installing an application or updates)

3. Can you use it to login into websites like Amazon.com or Hotmail.com (where sites requires a password)

4. Do you need a 3rd. party password manager?

5. Or is configured to use Apple's keychain?

Thank you in advance,

Regards,

G. Pollacchi.

Hi G.,

It comes with it's own software: Authentec Truesuite. Since Apple killed the company when they took over the technology, you have to find alternative sources to download the software, authentec.com doesn't exist anymore. The hardware itself is still for sale on amazon I think.

The fingerprint scanner works perfectly when you stay on Mac OS X Mountain Lion. When you upgrade it is even advised to remove the Authentec Truesuite software first, since this could lock you out of the system after the upgrade.

In answer to your questions:

1. Yes, you can login the Mac with the fingerprint scanner, that is my main purpose; it makes it easier for my wife to use it and I can still configure a good password.

2. Yes, you can use the fingerprint scanner when installing software; you don't have to enter a password anymore. This is my second reason to use it.

3. This should work, but I never tried it; I use lastpass for this in combination with a Yubikey.

4. No, it uses Apple's keychain.

5. Yes, it uses Apple's keychain.

As I understand it, a checksum of your fingerprint is stored in the fingerprint scanner hardware, not the whole fingerprint.

Regards,

Remco

Remco, nicely organized response.

I gave up hope for finger print reader login after calling Futronic, who also said Apple bought the software company then scuttled access to it.

Does your answer imply:

• That you are using it now?
• That you don't need dedicated software for login?
• That you register your fingerprint in Users and Groups system preferences when promoted to enter?
• That you are using Mavericks?
• If these presumptions are correct, what hardware and model are you using?

If not, can you explain how you are using it now?

Thanks!
N

Have you seen the new app that let you use your iPhone Touch ID to login into a Mac?

It's called FingerKey

http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-unlock-your-mac-using-iphone-touch-id-sensor-wi thout-jailbreak-video/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

gpollacchi wrote:

Have you seen the new app that let you use your iPhone Touch ID to login into a Mac?

It's called FingerKey

http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-unlock-your-mac-using-iphone-touch-id-sensor-wi thout-jailbreak-video/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Tried it - couldn't get it to work. Simply displays a Bluetooth error on my iMac when trying to add a new device.

Hi N,

1. Yes, I am using the Upek Eikon Fingerprint reader now.

2. NO, you DO need additional software: Authentec Truesuite. I still have one of the latest versions of this, if you need it.

3. I just registered all fingerprints for one account; I registered my 2 index fingers and my wife's 2 index fingers on the 10 available fingers for an account.

4. NO, I do NOT use Mavericks now. It does NOT work with Mavericks/Yosemite. My 2011 iMac is still on Mountain Lion and I recently downgraded my 2010 Macbook Air from Yosemite to Mountain Lion as well (because Aperture does not work when you need to run both of these OS'es; the fingerprint reader was not the main reason).

5. For my 2011 iMac I use the USB cabled Upek Eikon; for my 2010 Macbook Air I use the 'Eikon to go'; it looks like usb stick. It's not very small, but manageable. It seems at some point a smaller one has been created, but I have no idea if it can still be bought somewhere...

I use the fingerprint readers to log on to the Mac's without using my password and to approve installing new software, when the OS asks for authentication.

If you are still interested, I can try to post some screen dumps or a screen cast of some examples...

I still hope for better times and newer solutions; I don't really like to use hardware/software that isn't updated any more 😟

Regards,

Remco

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GMTA obviously. Thanks, this may be perfect. A couple of web comments about incompatibility with Yosemite. I'll wait until it mellows a bit. Thanks!

This thread is a great read. I just got my first device with Touch ID, and now I'm craving it for my Mac computers. It's interesting that Apple will disable a technology, like fingerprint scanning for authentication, before making an alternative available. Hopefully they'll integrate it into new computers, though I'm not sure where they will put the scanner - monitor, cpu case, apple mouse/keyboard, or a separate fingerprint scanner device, but it would be great if they make it accessible to old Macs as well.

You simply have to try MacID. It could have been invented by Apple! It allows you to use your IOS device to log into any OS X machine including MacBooks. Get the app from the app store and go to www.macid.co to get the OS X app. Supports multiple computers (so if you have a Mac Mini and a Macbook for example) and allows proximity authentication as well as fingerprint authentication. I am so impressed with this - seems like a well kept secret

I tried it and it didn't work at all . I 'm still waiting for a refund.