Ubuntu
lightdm package

How to lock screen via command line?

Asked by Cavia Porcellus

I want to know how to bring up the lock screen via the command line. Using "dm-tool lock" comes close, but it actually does the same thing as "dm-tool switch-to-greeter" (lets you log in as a guest, certain functions, like playing music, cease). Maybe this is a bug and dm-tool lock should actually bring up the lock screen?

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Cavia Porcellus
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Thomas Krüger (thkrueger) said : 		#1

gnome-screensaver-command -l

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Cavia Porcellus (caviaporcellus) said : 		#2

Sorry, I should have specified that I'm using Ubuntu 14.04. The gnome-screensaver method does not work (indeed, I don't even have gnome-screensaver installed, having replaced it with xscreensaver).

I'm looking to get Unity's lock screen, the same one you get by going to the cog/system menu at the top left of the Unity panel and then going to "Lock."

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#3

http://askubuntu.com/questions/457204/how-can-i-lock-the-screen-using-the-new-lockscreen-from-the-command-line

A few possibiloties there.

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Cavia Porcellus (caviaporcellus) said : 		#4

Thanks for the suggestion, but it just confirms that "gnome-screensaver-command -l" does not work in 14.04 and otherwise is an open question.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#5

Yes but there are other commands in the link too.....did you try those?

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Cavia Porcellus (caviaporcellus) said : 		#6

I have, and have the same issues as the person who asked that question. (Note that I commented on that very question; just figured someone here might have some special insight). Thanks for your help so far though.

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Cavia Porcellus (caviaporcellus) said : 		#7

I guess I'll file a bug report, since I think the command "dm-tool lock" should bring up the proper lock screen.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/lightdm/+bug/1338814

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Cavia Porcellus (caviaporcellus) said : 		#8

Ah, ok, got it:
dbus-send --type=method_call --dest=org.gnome.ScreenSaver /org/gnome/ScreenSaver org.gnome.ScreenSaver.Lock