Setting up Touch ID
Setting up Touch IDSetting up the Touch ID feature on your iPhone or iPad is a quick and easy way to keep your device secure. This feature protects your phone from unwanted access with just the touch of your finger or thumb.
In this guide, we’ll discuss how to set up Touch ID on your device and how to use it.
Navigate to the Settings app
Before you can use Touch ID to unlock your iPhone or authorize App Store and iTunes purchases, you must first set it up. Next, open the Settings app on your compatible device, tap Touch ID & Passcode and authenticate by entering your passcode or using your fingerprint. You will then be taken directly to the Fingerprints page, where you can begin enrolling fingerprints.
To start enrollment, tap Add a Fingerprint and follow the prompted instructions. Once complete, you will be presented with a list of enrolled fingerprints and an additional Lock Screen Entry toggle that allows users to toggle between using a fingerprint for unlocking their phone instead of their passcode. Additionally, two other options—iPhone Unlock with Master Prints and Emergency SOS—are presented to provide added functionality to their enrolled fingerprints.
After setup is complete, allow the iPhone to use these options when needed instead of constantly entering a password or passcode each time they access the device or make an iTunes Store purchase or download an App Store app. In addition to improved convenience while using your device and making purchases, these features offer enhanced security features that make it more difficult for anyone but its owner to unlock the smartphone.
Select Touch ID & Passcode
Once you have enabled Touch ID on your device, you can use it to unlock your device and make purchases. To set up Touch ID, go to the “Settings” app and select “Touch ID & Passcode.” You will be asked to enter your passcode and then will be able to select which types of activities or functions you want Touch ID to enable or secure.
You can add up to five fingerprints, each belonging to a different user. Once the fingerprints are added and accepted, they are available for authentication on your device.
Note that it’s a good practice to use a strong passcode in addition to setting up Touch ID — this adds an extra layer of protection for your sensitive data and enhances the security of your lock screen protection features.
Follow the onscreen instructions
Once the feature is enabled, the steps to use Touch ID are intuitive and often user-related. To setup Touch ID on iPhone models or iPad Pro, open Settings and tap on Touch ID & Passcode. You should see a prompt to enter your device’s Passcode followed by instructions that guide you through setting up fingerprints (up to five).
Once Touch ID has been registered with your device, you need to remember only a few minor pieces of information, such as where your device will unlock when you scan with different fingers. For example: if you have a locked app or website and need to unlock it when placing one of your registered fingers, the respective app or website will be unlocked automatically. You no longer need to remember any passwords, saving you time and effort when accessing protected data from your device.
Depending on the model of iPhone and iPad you own and many other factors such as processor speed, setup times differ for every user. Generally speaking though, it takes only a few minutes for most users to complete set up and begin using Touch ID on their iOS devices.
How to use Touch ID on your iPhone, iPad
Secure your passwords, accounts, and data with Touch ID. This Apple technology uses a unique fingerprint identity sensor to quickly and securely unlock your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. It helps you keep your device and information secure and easy to set up.
Let’s take a look at how to use Touch ID.
Place your finger on the Home button
You can quickly and easily use Touch ID to protect your device, enable features, and make purchases. When using Touch ID on your iPhone or iPad, you will be asked to place your finger on the Home button. The Home button is the large circular button at the bottom of the device used to exit apps and return you to the home screen.
Once you have placed your finger on the Home button, you will see a subtle vibratory feedback as it scans your finger. Maintaining contact with the Home button throughout this process is essential in unlocking or enabling any feature with Touch ID. Once completed, a checkmark will appear onscreen to indicate that Touch ID successfully verifies identity or recognition.
Suppose verification fails due to an improper touch or incorrect fingerprint four times. In that case, you will be asked to enter your passcode manually to unlock the device or access any feature enabled by Touch ID. This serves as an additional security measure for those more sensitive access areas.
Wait for the vibration and beep
Once you’ve placed your finger in the Home button or tapped the power button with your registered finger five times, you will hear a vibration and a beep. These sounds are necessary to ensure you’re pressing the correct finger on the Home button. Additionally, they let you know that Touch ID is ready to scan your fingerprint.
If you do not hear these noises, it may mean that Touch ID has failed its scan. In this case, try again and make sure your hand is free from moisture and dirt before trying again.
Lift your finger when prompted
When you set up Touch ID on your device, you can use it to unlock your device and make quick App Store purchases. Press the Home button with a valid finger or thumb to use Touch ID.
Hold your finger or thumb steady on the Home button throughout the complete unlocking process. If Touch ID successfully recognizes your fingerprint, you will see it unlocked the device before the passcode screen appears. If unsuccessful, you will be prompted to enter your passcode.
When prompted to lift your finger of the Home Button, do so swiftly to prevent errors from occuring during scanning. Once you have lifted your finger off the Home Button, wait for a blue highlight frame around it before attempting to scan again with a different fingeprint. Repeat until successful in unlocking the device or making an App Store purchase.
Troubleshooting
You may experience issues when trying to set up and use Touch ID. One common problem is difficulty enrolling fingerprints, while another is incorrect recognition.
If you are having any problems with Touch ID, we can help you troubleshoot them. Read on to find out how.
Make sure your finger is dry and clean
Before attempting to use Touch ID on your iPhone or iPad it is important to ensure your finger is free of dirt, moisture, and other types of contamination. Make sure you dry your finger with a clean cloth or napkin and wipe away any smudges that may prevent the device from recognizing your fingerprint.
Using too much moisture when washing your hands can cause the moisture to spread out across the home button leading to false recognition issues. To get around this, keep a cloth in the bathroom to remove any water residue before attempting to use Touch ID.
It’s also worth noting that sweat, lotion, and oils can affect Touch ID even if there is no visible moisture or smudge on your finger. Always ensure you wipe away these substances if they are present before using Touch ID as this will prevent false identification issues or, worse, a complete lockout of the device if Touch ID fails too many times in a row.
Make sure your finger is placed correctly
Before troubleshooting Touch ID, properly place your finger on the Home button. One common mistake is people placing their finger on the sensor too quickly or moving it while Touch ID is scanning. To get a successful scan from Touch ID, keep your finger still and centered on the Home button until the fingerprint recognition completes.
You’ll know if the scan was successful when you feel a slight vibration and hear a tone. Then, you’ll see “Fingerprint recognized” and either “Unlock with passcode” (for unlocked devices) or “Unlock with Apple ID password” (for locked devices).
If unlocking doesn’t occur within 15 to 30 seconds, Touch ID will require another attempt, so try again! You can also press the Home button again to reset the connection before retrying.
Try using a different finger
If the Touch ID feature on your iPhone or iPad isn’t working properly, the first thing to try is using a different finger. It’s possible that the finger that you initially programmed may not have registered correctly. Try registering multiple fingers, and if you have already registered multiple fingers, try switching to another one.
Also, if your fingers are uniquely shaped, such as one with a scar or birthmark or one being larger or smaller than the others, it is possible that the scanner couldn’t distinguish it properly. You can also try pressing your finger harder when attempting to use Touch ID and ensure that your finger is free of moisture and dirt, affecting accuracy.
Finally, ensure that you press the home button directly for your device to recognize your fingerprint.
Advanced Settings
Touch ID is an advanced technology that allows you to unlock your device quickly with the press of your finger. There are a few advanced settings that you can use with Touch ID on your iPhone or iPad.
This article will review all the different settings including how to customize your Touch ID settings for each app.
Adding and removing fingerprints
To add or remove a fingerprint on supported devices, go to [Settings] > [Touch ID & Passcode] and enter your passcode.
You can tap on the [Fingerprints] section at the top of the page to manage your Touch ID settings. Next, tap the [Add a Fingerprint…] button to add a new fingerprint. You will be taken to a series of prompts that guide you through scanning and verifying your fingerprint. Again, it’s important to use multiple angles to help ensure that Touch ID can accurately recognize and verify it when needed.
Once you’ve added all the fingerprints you want to use, you can manage them by tapping on an individual fingerprint and then selecting the option ‘(Remove Fingerprint). Confirm your choice when prompted; it will be removed from your list of recognized fingerprints. Additionally, you are also able to rename each fingerprint from this same menu if desired.
Setting up a passcode
Using a passcode is an important security measure for your device and allows you to access its information. Passcodes protect your device’s data in case of theft or unauthorized use, making accessing useful features like Touch ID easier. If you forget your passcode, you cannot access your device until you can reset it.
Follow the steps below to set up a passcode on your device:
1. Open the Settings app and tap “Touch ID & Passcode”.
2. Tap “Turn Passcode On” at the top of the page.
3. Enter a six-digit code of your choice, then re-enter it when prompted to confirm it.
4. Now that you’ve created a passcode, various security settings can be enabled such as requiring the passcode after sleep or timeout, using complicated numbers and letters instead of just numbers, etc. Ensure these are all enabled for maximum security before setting up Touch ID (see below for details!).
Using Touch ID for Apple Pay
The Touch ID feature on your iPhone and iPad allows you to quickly unlock your device by simply placing your finger on the Home button. However, it can be used for more than just locking and unlocking — you can even use Touch ID to shop securely with Apple Pay.
To set up Touch ID with Apple Pay, open the Settings app and tap “Touch ID & Passcode.” Enter your passcode to access the settings. Then, tap “Add a Fingerprint” and follow the instructions displayed on your device. You’ll need to place your finger repeatedly on the Home button until it is added to Touch ID’s database. Once this process has been completed, you can use Touch ID with Apple Pay when making purchases online or in-store at any merchant accepting contactless payments.
During a purchase, all you need to do is hold your iPhone or iPad near the merchant’s payment terminal, then place your finger over the Home button when prompted for authentication via TouchID–your payment will immediately be authorized without needing to enter a PIN or sign a receipt. For added security, all payments processed with Apple Pay are dynamically authenticated using each user’s unique fingerprint rather than requiring usernames or passwords which makes it highly secure from malicious activities or frauds.