Power management using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags is disclosed. A device is equipped or connected with a low power detector that can detect the proximity of an RFID tag worn by a user of the device. The RFID tag preferably obtains energy from the detector and transmits a signal back to the detector telling the detector that the tag is in the vicinity. If the tag is too far away from the detector, the RFID tag is unable to respond as a result the detector will notice the absence of the tag. If the device detects the user is near the device, then the device manages power differently than when the user is not near the device.