Touch ID

John Gruber: 2017 iPhone may have edge-to-edge display with integrated Touch ID and camera

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 11, 2016

Apple pundit John Gruber who runs the Daring Fireball blog has reportedly learned that the next year's iPhone—which some people think will be marketed as 'iPhone 8' rather than 'iPhone 7s'—may sport an edge-to-edge display that could allow an entirely new form-factor device to have a slightly smaller appearance without sacrificing screen size.

But that's not all: although Gruber did not say this with complete certainty, he's heard “scuttlebutt“ suggesting Apple's somehow managed to integrate Touch ID fingerprint verification, a front-facing camera and other components into the screen itself.

If true, 2017 iPhones should be the most radical departure from the device's design so we may finally live to see the iPhone get rid of its chin and the forehead.

It’s now technically possible to embed a fingerprint scanner beneath a smartphone display

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 12, 2017

Apple's 'iPhone 7' hasn't arrived yet but that hasn't stopped analysts from predicting that an 'iPhone 8' will ditch the iconic Home button. Conventional wisdom has it that 3D Touch will simulate Home button presses while fingerprint recognition should be realized by incorporating the Touch ID sensor into the display itself.

What conventional wisdom doesn't help explain is how such a technology might work. Well, now we know: LG announced its Innotek division has achieved a major technological breakthrough in producing the world's first in-screen fingerprint scanner.

“LG Innotek cut a shallow furrow of 0.01 inches (0.3 mm) thick on the lower backside of the cover glass and installed the fingerprint sensor inside of it with using their supreme precision and combination technology,” explains the company.

New iPhone 6s commercials are all about Touch ID, 4K video capture and chopping onions

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 25, 2016

Following its nicely done Earth Day ads featuring iMessage and a recycling robot dubbed Liam, Apple on Monday released a pair of brand new television commercials for the iPhone 6s, which promote Touch ID and the handset's ability to capture video in crisp 4K resolution through the lens of its twelve-megapixel rear camera.

The new commercials, titled “Fingerprint” and “Onions,” run thirty seconds each and are available on Apple's official YouTube channel, but we've embedded them into this article for your viewing pleasure.

How to show the fingers assigned to Touch ID on iPhone and iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 6, 2024

In my opinion, Touch ID is one of the finest iOS features ever! It's an excellent mix of hardware and software that solves a real problem.

As you may know, Touch ID allows users to store up to five fingerprints. In turn, any of the registered prints can be used to unlock your iPhone and authenticate purchases associated with your Apple ID, such as App Store purchases.

But how does one go about remembering which fingers were used to set up Touch ID? We show you how easy it is to find out.

MacID price drops 75% in the App Store for a limited time

Anthony Bouchard ∙ March 28, 2016

MacID, the popular app for iPhone and iPad that lets you use Touch ID or your Apple Watch (and yes, even your Pebble) to unlock your Mac over a Bluetooth connection, is on sale in the App Store this week for 75% off the usual price.

The app received an important update over the weekend with support for new features found in iOS 9.3 and watchOS 2.2, giving users the ability to configure multiple Apple Watches with MacID and use them to unlock their Mac.

Marked at just $0.99 for a limited time, you can grab MacID and start using your iOS device's Touch ID sensor or Apple Watch to unlock your Mac instead of typing in a password each time it locks itself.

MacID update adds multi-Apple Watch support, improved battery life, pairing reliability, & more

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated June 22, 2018

The popular MacID app for iOS and OS X has received an update on Friday that adds support for new features in the newly-released watchOS 2.2 and iOS 9.3 firmware.

MacID has been made popular for its ability to unlock Mac computers with Touch ID or from an interactive notification on the wrist of the app's user by way of their Apple Watch, rather than having to type a pasword to unlock the Mac from a sleep.

Version 1.3.3 of MacID is now available in the App Store for iOS devices and Apple Watches, and version 1.3.3 of MacID for the Mac is available from the developer's website.

How to name your Touch ID fingerprints to easily identify them

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 3, 2023

Have you ever wondered which thumbs or fingers you have added to Touch ID on your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook? In this quick tutorial, we will tell you how to rename your fingerprints so it's easy to identify them when needed.

Outlook for iOS adds Touch ID protection for your emails, contacts and calendars

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 14, 2016

After adding 3D Touch support for quickly viewing your calendar or composing a new event or email directly from the Home screen, Microsoft's mobile Outlook app for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad has gained the ability to protect your emails, contacts and calendars within the app with your fingerprint, using Touch ID on supported iPhones and iPads. In addition, the Outlook 2.2.2 update packs in a few other refinements and enhancements.

Major MacID software update now available for iOS and OS X

Anthony Bouchard ∙ February 23, 2016

Popular for letting users unlock their Mac with the Touch ID sensor on their iPhones and/or iPads, MacID comes with a slew of other useful features as well that take advantage of a Bluetooth connection between these devices.

A massive update to the $3.99 MacID app for iOS devices and the free software for Macs is now available that provides a slew of improvements and new features for users.

Apple releases minor software update to fix devices bricked by Error 53

Anthony Bouchard ∙ February 18, 2016

Apple has released a revised version of iOS 9.2.1 on Thursday to fix devices that have been affected by 'Error 53,' an issue that could ‘brick’ a user’s iOS device if it received a third-party Touch ID sensor replacement instead of one of Apple’s own replacements.

Law firm moving forward with class action lawsuit over ‘Error 53’ iPhone bricking

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 12, 2016

Seattle-based law firm Pfau Cochran Vertexes Amala (PCVA) has decided to follow through with plans to drag Apple to court over software safeguards in iOS which have been specifically designed to render iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus handsets inoperable after unauthorized Touch ID and Home button repairs.

As first noted by AppleInsider yesterday, the pending class action lawsuit was filed with with the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging the Cupertino firm has “gone too far” in employing the extreme measure of bricking users' handsets without any advance warning.

Error 53: Apple could get sued over iPhone bricking

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 9, 2016

'Error 53,' the infamous cryptic message that appears on an iPhone after iOS 9 renders the device inoperable due to an unauthorized Home button repair, is attracting attention of top law firms which are reportedly considering taking Apple to court over the snafu, reports The Guardian.

“At least one firm of US lawyers said it hopes to bring a class action against the technology giant on behalf of victims whose £500 phones have been rendered worthless by an Apple software upgrade,” the British paper said.