Fingerprint For Mac

Update: Friday, July 12, 2013.
Unfortunately, buy-it-once FingerPrint is no longer sold, replaced by Presto, which I haven't tested, but is reviewed by The Wall Street Journal here. This article kept for archival purposes only.

• Mac Fingerprint Id
• Fingerprint Reader For Mac
• Fingerprint For Mac
• Fingerprinting For Maryland Board Of Nursing

Update: Sunday, September 23, 2012.
New version 2.1 released, read newer article at TinkerTry.com/fingerprint-2-1-runs-on-windows-8-and-windows-server-2012

Even though this is the mac version, the only difference is the packaging - where the software can be downloaded from Authentec's website. The pc software works great as well. All was great until the first one i ordered suddenly stopped working. The fingerprint reader seemed to think that a finger was swiping it in a loop. It would no longer work. Set up Touch ID:You can add a fingerprint to Touch ID during setup. To set up Touch ID later, or to add additional fingerprints, open System Preferences, then click Touch ID. To add a fingerprint, click and follow the onscreen instructions. DroidID is an Android app that lets you unlock your Mac with your device's fingerprint sensor, making it very convenient and easy for you to unlock your iMac/Macbook/Macbook Pro/Macbook Air. DroidID unlocks your Mac when: - Your Mac is sleeping - Your Mac has a screensaver running - You resume your Mac from sleep by moving the mouse or pressing.

Update: Saturday, February 11, 2012.
New version 1.2.0.278 released
If you use Dropbox, don't forget to go into FingerPrint preferences, and specify your Dropbox folder, then you'll be able to 'print' to Dropbox too!

Update: Monday, January 30, 2012.
Printing from any iOS 5.0 device (iPad, iPhone) to non-AirPrint printers is now even easier.
You heard it here on TinkerTry.com first, read the Collobos Software Press Release:

Thanks for your support of Collobos! FingerPrint as a service is now OFFICIALLY available for Windows. We are really excited about it and have even more cool stuff in the pipeline!!
Best, Lanny, CMO
www.collobos.com

TinkerTry.com is now able to offer affiliate links to secure Collobus site, no discount codes required:

PC:

Mac:

Given Collobos' apparent success with this product, it wouldn't be surprising if their pricing increased soon, so consider yourself warned.

The list of Apple's natively supported AirPrint compatible printers is rather short, seen at iOS: AirPrint 101, where it also mentions that 'AirPrint only works with a network connection to an AirPrint-capable printer. A printer connected to the USB port of your Mac, PC, AirPort Base Station, or Time Capsule is not supported.' Like many others, I'm not particularly interested in buying new printers. Just install FingerPrint on PC or Mac, ideally on an always-on system or VM, then you or anybody on your network can then easily print from any iOS 4.2-or-later device (iPad and iPhone).

What could FingerPrint running as a Windows service mean, to you? Well, it's even easier to print from your iOS devices, helping many folks avoid the wasteful need to buy an AirPrint printer, especially if you already have printers you're happy with. My family has already enjoyed using networked printers and USB printers in my home for years. Since October 2011, any iPhone or iPad on my network can use native iOS functionality, to print to those same old printers, without needing any 3rd party Apps on the iPad/iPhone. This is exactly what I wanted, and training others takes about 5 seconds.

See also the first post at ipadhelp.com about FingerPrint actually working on iOS 5.0, and a good TUAW article here.

Here's some more benefits, based on some testing I did with TinkerTry.com/vzilla (quickly testing 6 operating systems running concurrently, even though vZilla currently has just 16GB of RAM)

FingerPrint for Windows:

• now runs on PCs meant to run 24x7, such as backup servers, without having to be logged in
• now you can be sure this program is always running, even after overnight automatic patch reboots, or after a power interruptions
• works in a virtual machine just fine (networked printers, and even USB printers)
• works on Windows XP, Vista, 7 (32 bit and 64 bit)
• works on Mac OS X (10.5 - 10.7)
• works on Windows Home Server v1, and all versions based on Windows 2008 R2, see test matrix below
• once licensed, stays out of your way at boot time, so no boot-slowing splash screens
• use the trial edition to be sure it works with your printer
• No special apps needed on iOS devices, just select the Print option, it's crazy easy (see screenshots above), and fast (4x6 photos printed in same 40 seconds as with a PC)

Why would this site, which is mostly about virtualization and running efficient servers in your home, make this announcement? Well, the FingerPrint article is one of my top 10 read articles, ever, and it keeps growing, which is rather unusual. And because I now have a vZilla, that makes short work of testing such an app, on 6 different operating systems, moving the 'virtual' USB cable from VM to VM as I went, as seen in the video below.

But it's also because I had signed up for the beta, and Collobos listened. Like many others, I suggested FingerPrint be easily installed as a service, while keeping the same simple UI. I also encouraged Collobos to test FingerPrint with home server operating systems, which are a very large part of what I do write about.

What particularly impressed me was what happened next. Not only did Collobos take me up on that suggestion, but I personally worked together with one of their developers on beta testing on a variety of systems, including server operating systems that they don't officially support. Guess what, it works fine, just install the print server role first, and you're good to go. This is good. And a good excuse to really kick the tires on vZilla, which held up extremely well. This was actually fun.

Yes, the special yellow purchase buttons for FingerPrint licenses, seen above, are affiliate links. So this is site sponsorship of sorts, which could finally actually help cover some of the cost of continuing to run TinkerTry.com. Don't worry, I don't plan to go overboard with discussions about mobile devices and tablets, choosing mostly to cover their utility in managing virtual and physical infrastructures.

Keep in mind that I had seeked FingerPrint's functionality out, when iOS 5.0 broke most competitive printing options. This product is simple, leveraging Bonjour, and uses minimal system resources. I tested the trial edition myself to be sure it worked with my printers. It did. I then very quickly then published those successful tests, knowing it was well worth the cost, and it still very much is.

So those yellow Add to Cart buttons above give you a very easy way to show your support for TinkerTry, and Collobos. Seems a lot less intrusive than those ad words cropping up at many blogs that I (used to) enjoy.

Here's a screenshot from the new video, showing me FingerPrinting:

Here's the FingerPrint PC Version 1.2.0.244 tests peformed Jan 30, 2012: (click each link to jump to just the right spot in the YouTube video)

Operating Systems Supported by Collobos:
1) Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 (64 bit)
2) Microsoft Windows XP SP3 (32 bit)

Operating Systems Tested at TinkerTry.com:
3) Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 (64 bit)
4) Windows Home Server SP2 (based on Windows Server 2003 32 bit)
5) Windows Home Server 2011 SP1 (based on Windows Server 2008 R2 64 bit)
6) Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials SP1 (based on Windows Server 2008 R2 64 bit)*

*Just remember to Add Role, Print and Document Services, Print Server, before installing FingerPrint

Here's the printers I've tested to date:

• Epson PictureMate Dash Compact Photo Printer PM 260 (4x6 photo printer attached to 100' away ESXi host, so VMs print via USB 1.1 over 100' CAT5 extender, newer model here)
• Brother MFC-7820N (using native driver the Add Printer Wizard offered)
• Brother MFC-9840CDW (using native driver the Add Printer Wizard offered)
• Brother HL-2070N (using driver the Add Printer Wizard offered from Windows Update)

Here's my tests of all 6 operating systems, but Windows 7 x64 users only need to view the first 9 minutes, to see a very thorough overview of features (except Dropbox integration):

Here's wwwinsanelygreatmac.com's tests of FingerPrint for Mac:
youtu.be/36--50rM7nw?hd=1&t=1m14s

See also this very recent video of Scott from Collobos, at MacWorld / iWorld:
youtu.be/T20WfbYcpO8

Foot Notes:
Here's Sean Daniel's site, where he discusses having to adjust his DLink DIR-655 to enable multicast, so Bonjour could do it's thing. Sean also opened a firewall port 6631, mentioned on the Collobos support site, but as you'll see in my simple tests, this wasn't necessary in my case.

Below is how the original article appeared, Oct 15, 2011, with two new screenshots added:

Originally entitled 'Windows Home Server as an iOS Print Server - AirPrint Compatibility Not Required'

With the recent release of iOS 5.0, many an iPad or iPhone users found themselves unable to print at all. The existing home-network based printing solutions, that offered printing from non-AirPrint printers, no longer worked. Something changed in iOS 5.0 that broke those functions, so now the wait for a workaround or fix began.

Examples of workarounds included AirPrint Installer, which required you to install iTunes or Bonjour Printer Services separately, then run their Service installer (with no obvious uninstaller). But it did work, as also described by CNET and TUAW.

Mac Fingerprint Id

That was until iOS 5.0 came out. The solution surfaced today, Oct 15 2011, with ipadhelp.com posting this article entitled AirPrint for Windows and iOS 5. Great screenshots walk you through the solution to this problem:

he cost is $7.99 for Mac or $9.99 for Windows, with no special software or apps are needed on the iOS device, instead merely leveraging the AirPrint UI many apps have supported since iOS 4.2.

I tested FingerPrint for Windows version 1.0.0.136 with iOS 5.0 today. I started with discovering the printers using built in drivers in Windows Home Server 2011 (based on Windows 2008 R2). Then I installed FingerPrint in seconds, simply sharing those printers out to all iOS devices. It doesn't actually use, or require, the Windows native network sharing, which I left off for these already-shared networked printers. FingerPrint uses uses Bonjour that it's bundled with. Printing was fast and easy, just as fast as from a PC, even for a 4x6 photo.

Of course, any Windows variant will do, not just servers. Any system, ideally something efficient if left running 24x7. So it could be a Windows 7 laptop, or Mac OS X on a mac mini.

Here's the 4 printers I've tested to date: Epson PictureMate Dash Compact Photo Printer PM 260 (4x6 photo printer attached to WHS2011 by USB 2.0) Brother MFC-7820N (using native driver the Add Printer Wizard offered) Brother MFC-9840CDW (using native driver the Add Printer Wizard offered) Brother HL-2070N (using driver the Add Printer Wizard offered from Windows Update) I also noticed printers added to Windows at any time automatically show up in FingerPrint, with no need to even restart FingerPrint. Here's the backstory:

The list of Apple's natively supported AirPrint compatible printers is rather short, as seen in the kb article iOS: AirPrint 101, where it also mentions that 'AirPrint only works with a network connection to an AirPrint-capable printer. A printer connected to the USB port of your Mac, PC, AirPort Base Station, or Time Capsule is not supported.' Which to me, meant my old AirPort express's USB port was unlikely to ever provide me with network printing from iOS devices to non-AirPrint printers.

Like many others, I'm not particularly interested in buying new printers.

Here's the upsides:

• No new hardware purchases necessary, if your printer works with FingerPrint

• No special apps needed on iOS devices, just select the Print option, it's crazy easy (see screenshots above), and fast (4x6 photos printed in same 40 seconds as with a PC)
  Here's the downsides (mostly just nit picking):

• The program is not installed as a service, so without further tweaking, you'll have to have a machine that's on 24x7 and logged on for it to work. Tell Collobus of your interest here. (fixed Jan 2012)
• If the photo color's aren't to your liking on the iPhone or iPad, this won't give you that function, you'll need to try to fix the photo with some of the new photo editing built into iOS 5.0, or use other 3rd party App Store apps. But you can always use your PC, just go to the new iCloud '/My Photo Stream' folder that automatically shows your latest iPhone photos.
• You might not have fancy features (like stapler or scanning, etc), but I was able to specify duplex on my multifunction Brother MFC-9840CDW just fine
• I like ability to test with a trial edition, before purchasing the license. The help system is very clear about the what it does and encourages you to test it for yourself.
• It appears that for FingerPrint's 'Open On My PC' to work with a Home Server, you'd need to have a PDF viewer installed (vulnerability), which isn't practical or desirable, just a minor nit.
• This only works when you're home. Perhaps someday they'll be a Hamachi VPN for iOS or Android to connect to your Home Server Family Cloud network seamlessly when you're away. But at this point, if you're not on your home's network, you won't be able to print, directly anyway, and I've heard the Dropbox integration, which wasn't installed on my FingerPrint system prior to the screenshots and videos, could be a good way around this, using VBS scripts to autoprint stuff in that Dropbox folder, or just manually printing from a PC or Mac when you return home.

• Here's a great spot to consider making your comments:

existing homeservershow.com/forums thread, or right below on Disqus.

Here's the video I recording of my own tests: (using Windows Home Server 2011)

I recorded a video that demonstrates finding a printer, installing FingerPrint, then test printing to that printer:

Saturday, November 2, 2013 Update:
Collobos has moved FingerPrint to a monthly subscription model, and renamed it Presto. I have removed all links from my shop buttons in the original articles, to avoid confusion, since I have not tested Presto. It is my understanding that prior versions still work, with the discontinued version still available for download (not purchase) here:
fingerprint-support.collobos.com/knowledgebase/articles/132163-reinstall-links

Get started

Lift the lid of your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air to turn it on, or press Touch ID. Every time you start up, restart, or log out, you need to type your password to log in to your user account. After setting up Touch ID, as long as you're logged in, you can use your fingerprint instead of typing when you're asked for your password.

With Touch ID, you can also use your fingerprint to make purchases from the App Store, Apple Books Store, and iTunes Store, as well as many of your favorite websites using Apple Pay.

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

On MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar, the Touch ID button is on the right side of the Touch Bar at the top of the keyboard.

13- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar introduced in late 2019 or later

13- and 15-inch MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar introduced in 2016 through 2019

MacBook Air

On MacBook Air models introduced in 2018 and later, the Touch ID button is on the right side of the function keys.

MacBook Air (2020)

How to set up Touch ID

1. Make sure that your finger is clean and dry.
2. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences.
   
3. Click Touch ID.
   
4. Click the plus sign to add a fingerprint, type your user account password when prompted, then follow the onscreen instructions.
5. Use the checkboxes to select the Touch ID features that you want to use on your Mac.

Tips for adding fingerprints:

• Place your finger on the Touch ID button — but don't press. Hold it there until you're asked to lift your finger.
• Lift and rest your finger slowly, making small adjustments to the position of your finger each time.
• Add up to three fingerprints.

You can also delete fingerprints:

1. Hover the pointer over a fingerprint. A delete button appears.
2. Click the delete button, then enter your password to remove the fingerprint.

Use Touch ID to unlock your Mac

After you set up Touch ID, you can use it to unlock your Mac. Wake up your Mac by opening the lid, pressing a key, or tapping the trackpad. Then place your finger lightly on Touch ID to log in.

You must type your password to log in after you start up, restart, or log out of your Mac. When you're logged in, you can quickly authenticate with Touch ID whenever you're asked for your password.

You can also use Touch ID to unlock these features on your Mac:

• Password-protected Notes
• The Passwords section in Safari preferences
• System Preferences
  If you have FileVault turned on, you must type your password to unlock the Security & Privacy pane and the Users & Groups pane.
  

If multiple users set up Touch ID and log in to the same Mac, they can use Touch ID to switch accounts. Just press Touch ID, and your Mac switches to the logged-in user account associated with the fingerprint.

Make iTunes Store, App Store, and Apple Books Store purchases with Touch ID

Use Touch ID instead of your Apple ID password to make purchases on your Mac:

1. Open the iTunes Store, App Store, or Apple Books Store.
2. Click the buy button for something you want to purchase. A Touch ID prompt appears.
3. Place your finger on Touch ID to complete the purchase.

You might be prompted to enter your password on your first purchase or if you've made changes to the fingerprints that you've enrolled in Touch ID.

Use Touch ID for Apple Pay

You can make easy, secure, and private purchases on websites using Apple Pay on your Mac. Apple Pay never stores your credit or debit card information and never shares it with the merchant.

Fingerprint Reader For Mac

Apple Pay is not available in all regions.

Set up Apple Pay

On Mac notebooks with Touch ID, you're prompted to configure Apple Pay during setup. If you don't choose to set up Apple Pay when you first start up, you can set it up later in the Wallet & Apple Pay section of System Preferences. You can also check your transaction history and manage your payment cards there. For example, you can add or delete cards and make updates to contact or shipping information.

You can add payment cards to only one user account on your Mac. If you set up Apple Pay in your main user account and then log in under another account, Touch ID and Apple Pay are unavailable. In this situation, you can use an eligible iPhone or Apple Watch to complete Apple Pay transactions that you begin in Safari on your Mac.

Make a purchase in Safari with Apple Pay

On websites that offer Apple Pay, click the Apple Pay button during checkout. When prompted, complete the payment by placing your finger lightly on Touch ID.

Turn on, restart, sleep, and shut down

Press Touch ID to turn on your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air if it's open and turned off. If your Mac is closed and turned off, simply open it to turn it on.

Unlike with older Mac notebooks, holding down Touch ID on your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air doesn't display a dialog with options to Sleep, Restart, or Shut Down. You can find these options in the Apple menu. If your Mac is unresponsive, you can hold down Touch ID for six seconds to force a shut down. Note that you'll lose any unsaved work if you do this.

Pressing Touch ID won't put your Mac to sleep. Instead, choose Apple menu  > Sleep. If your Mac has a Touch Bar, you can also add a Sleep button to the Control Strip:

1. Click Finder.
2. Select View > Customize Touch Bar.
3. Touch the Control Strip region of the Touch Bar to switch to Control Strip customization.
4. Use your pointer to drag items that you want, such as the Sleep button, from the main display down into the Touch Bar. You can also drag items left and right within the Touch Bar to rearrange them, or drag them up and out of the Touch Bar to remove them.
5. Tap Done in the Touch Bar or click Done on the screen when you finish.

Learn more about Touch ID

You can use Touch ID to control accessibility features on your Mac:

• Triple-press Touch ID to display the Accessibility Options window.
• Hold the Command key and triple-press Touch ID to toggle VoiceOver on and off.

Fingerprint For Mac

In some situations, you need to enter your password instead of using Touch ID:

• If you've just restarted your Mac
• If you've logged out of your user account
• If your fingerprint isn't recognized five times in a row
• If you haven't unlocked your Mac in more than 48 hours
• If you've just enrolled or deleted fingerprints
  

If you still need help unlocking your Mac with Touch ID, follow these tips. Try again after each one:

Fingerprinting For Maryland Board Of Nursing

• Make sure that your fingers are clean and dry.
  Moisture, lotions, sweat, oils, cuts, or dry skin might affect fingerprint recognition. Certain activities can also temporarily affect fingerprint recognition, including exercising, showering, swimming, or cooking.
• Your finger should cover Touch ID completely. While Touch ID is scanning, don't press down or move your finger.
• Try setting up a different fingerprint.