Touch ID
Touch ID is Apple's biometric fingerprint authentication technology. With it, the Home button can unlock your iPhone or iPad, authorize your purchases on the iTunes Store or App Store, and use Apple Pay. A capacitive ring activates the scanner on contact which then takes a high-resolution picture of your fingerprint. That fingerprint is then converted into a mathematical formula, encrypted, and carried over a hardware channel to a secure enclave on Apple's A-series chipset. If the fingerprint is recognized, a "yes" token is released. If it's not, a "no" token is released.
In the perpetual battle between security and convenience, where many people would rather go without a passcode or strong password than fuss with anything complicated on mobile, Apple's Touch ID fingerprint identity sensor aims to do for authentication what iCloud did for backup and restore - make it easy enough that people will actually use it.
Latest about Touch ID

By Lloyd Coombes Last updated
With a year's worth of rumors floating around, we finally know whether or not the iPhone will get Touch ID. Here's everything you should know.

By James Bentley Published
A new patent could mean the return of Touch ID on Apple iPhones.

By Lory Gil Last updated
Does your MacBook have Touch ID? Here's everything you need to know about how to set it up and use it to secure your Mac.

By Bryan M Wolfe Last updated
While Face ID more used on Apple devices, certain iPad and iPhone models do still use Touch ID. Learn to master just the right touch.

By Oliver Haslam Published
Apple is rumored to be working on bringing Touch ID back to the iPhone and a new report claims that it might happen within the next three years.

By Bryan M Wolfe Published
Touch ID can be temperamental at times, no matter what device you're using. But we have the fix.

By Palash Volvoikar Published
Apple tested Touch ID for future iPhone models but has decided to not bring it to the iPhone 15, or future models in the main series for the foreseeable future, says Mark Gurman.

By Christine Chan, Joseph Keller Published
Temporarily disabling Face ID or Touch ID to require a password to unlock your iPhone or iPad is simple. Here's how you do it.

By Stephen Warwick Published
Apple has been granted another patent pertaining to a fingerprint scanner housed under the display of an iPhone.

By Joe Wituschek Last updated
According to the latest Power On newsletter by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the next iPhone lineup will not feature in-screen Touch ID.

By Oliver Haslam Published

By Luke Filipowicz Published
While I was initially excited about the feature, I quickly started thinking about how much less secure it is. Now, I don't use the feature at all.

By Oliver Haslam Last updated
Apple's iOS 14.5 will let us unlock our iPhones even when wearing a mask, but what does that mean for Touch ID's potential return?

By Oliver Haslam Published
New rumors of Apple ditching the notch altogether could be good news for Touch ID fans and bad news for Face ID lovers.

By Sergio Velasquez, Lory Gil Published
Even if your Mac doesn't support Touch ID or Auto Unlock, you can still secure it using biometrics!

By Bryan M Wolfe, Lory Gil Published
Although the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro officially support Touch ID authorization of both App Store and iTunes purchases, setting it up can be a bit of a process. Here's how to go about it.

By Christine Chan, Sergio Velasquez Published
Protecting your notes on the Notes app is possible and pretty easy to do. You can lock your notes with a password, Face ID, or Touch ID. Here's how!

By Lory Gil Published
When shopping on your Mac, you can make secure payments online with Apple Pay - the most secure payment service!
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