Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a body heat sensing control apparatus and method for automating features of an electronic device based on detection of a user's body heat. For example, in one embodiment, a data processing system is disclosed having a heat sensing mechanism for detecting the body heat of a user. In addition, the data processing system includes a data storage component for storing computer executable instructions and a processing unit for executing the computer executable instructions for enabling a user to configure one or more functions associated with the data processing system that are triggered in response to detecting the presence or absence of the user within the proximity of the data processing system using the heat sensing mechanism.