What is Touch ID on iPhone, iPad and Mac?

This article will explain why this feature is useful and how it works.

Touch ID what?

Touch ID is a biometric security feature that scans a user’s fingerprint to enable logins, purchases, etc. This feature is useful because it allows device owners to verify their identity without need to enter the PIN code or password multiple times. Your Touch ID fingerprint information is encrypted locally in “Secure Enclave” and cannot be accessed by Apple or other companies.

Apple first introduced Touch ID on the iPhone 5S in 2013. In 2014, Apple added Touch ID to the iPad Air 2 and then the MacBook Pro (4th Gen) in 2016, which appeared alongside the Touch Bar.

In 2021, Apple begins selling the standalone Magic Keyboard with Touch ID for the Mac M1. As of iPhone X in 2017, most new iPhone models use Face ID instead of Touch ID for biometric security.

To set up Touch ID on your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app and navigate to “Touch ID & Passcode,” enter your passcode, and add a fingerprint. On the same Settings page, you can choose which features Touch ID works with, including unlocking your device, Apple Pay… To set up Touch ID on a Mac that supports this feature, open ” System Preferences” and click “Touch ID”.

How does Touch ID work?

Touch ID uses a special capacitive sensor module to map your fingerprint using a small electrical current. The device can read your fingerprints from any angle and stores multiple fingerprints in the Secure Enclave.

To use Touch ID, gently place your finger on the surface of the sensor, located at the home button on some iPhones, the home button or top button on certain iPads, and in a different position. Special angle placement on some MacBook Pro and Mac keyboards.

Which Apple devices support Touch ID?

As of May 2022, Apple has integrated the Touch ID sensor into at least 48 products ranging from iPhones to keyboards. Below is a list of Apple devices that support Touch ID.

iPhone phone

iPhone SE (2022)

iPhone SE (2020)

iPhone SE (2016)

iPhone 8 Plus

iPhone 8

iPhone 7 Plus

iPhone 7

iPhone 6s Plus

iPhone 6s

iPhone 6 Plus

iPhone 6

iPhone 5s

IPAD tablet

iPad Air (5th generation)

iPad (9th generation)

iPad Mini (6th generation)

iPad Air (4th generation)

iPad (8th generation)

iPad (7th generation)

iPad Mini (5th generation)

iPad Air (3rd generation)

iPad (6th generation)

iPad Pro 12.9 inch (2nd generation)

iPad Pro 10.5 inch

iPad (5th generation)

iPad Pro 9.7 inch

iPad Pro 12.9 inch

iPad mini 4

iPad mini 3

iPad Air 2

Mac and Keyboard

MacBook Pro (16inch, 2021)

MacBook Pro (14inch, 2021)

Virtual Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID

MacBook Pro (13inch, M1, 2020)

MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

MacBook Pro (13inch, 2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)

MacBook Pro (16inch, 2019)

MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)

MacBook Pro (15inch, 2019)

MacBook Pro (13inch, 2019, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)

MacBook Pro (15inch, 2018)

MacBook Pro (13inch, 2018, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

MacBook Pro (15inch, 2017)

MacBook Pro (13inch, 2017, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

MacBook Pro (15inch, 2016)

MacBook Pro (13inch, 2016, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

While it looks like Face ID will completely replace Touch ID for a while, the use of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic has provided a good reason to prefer Touch ID. Apple added mask unlock to make Face ID more useful to people wearing masks.

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