Controlling access to a mobile device

A method of controlling user access to a mobile device, comprising the steps of:

• (a) designating a vehicle telematics unit as a trusted wireless device using a mobile device;
• (b) establishing a short-range wireless link between the vehicle telematics unit and the mobile device after designating the vehicle telematics unit as a trusted wireless device;
• (c) detecting that the short-range wireless link currently exists between the vehicle telematics unit and the mobile device;
• and
• (d) deactivating a passcode requirement used by the mobile device while the short-range wireless link exists between the mobile device and the vehicle telematics unit.

A method of controlling user access to a mobile device, comprising the steps of:

• (a) detecting at the mobile device the presence of a vehicle telematics unit via a short-range wireless signal;
• (b) identifying the vehicle telematics unit from the short-range wireless signal;
• (c) accessing at the mobile device a list that includes the identity of one or more trusted wireless devices;
• (d) comparing the identity of the vehicle telematics unit with the identity or identities included with the list of trusted wireless devices;
• (e) determining that the identity of the vehicle telematics unit is included with the list of trusted wireless devices;
• (f) determining that the mobile device and the vehicle telematics unit are located within a user-defined geo-fenced area;
• and
• (g) deactivating a passcode requirement used by the mobile device based on the determinations made in steps (e) and (f).