Touch ID is a fingerprint reader that Apple includes in several of its devices since its debut in 2013 in the iPhone 5S. It soon became available on iPad and Mac. And although the most current iPhone models use other security systems Like Face ID, iPads and Macs continue to integrate Touch ID. Using Touch ID is inevitable, since it is used for everything that has to do with identify yourself on your device or on the internet.
From unlocking the screen of your iPad or Mac to confirming online purchases, downloading applications and games, logging into an application or website… Thanks to using Touch ID in your daily life, you no longer need to remember your passwords. Or your payment details. Enough with place your finger on the fingerprint reader and instantly will recognize your footprint
Next, we are going to review all the functions with which you can use Touch ID, as well as some tricks to make better use of this reader integrated into your iPad, Mac and in the Magic Keyboard keyboards with Touch ID.
Where is the Touch ID sensor?
In iPhonethe fingerprint sensor Touch ID It was available from the iPhone 5S model to the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. Since iPhone X, Touch ID was replaced by the facial recognition system Face ID. In iPad, the Touch ID sensor comes standard on the 2017 iPad, iPad mini 3, and first-generation iPad Pro. At first, Touch ID comes integrated into the home button. But since the 4th generation iPad Air and 6th generation iPad mini, Touch ID is integrated into the top button. The same one you use to turn the iPad on and off.
In a Macthe fingerprint sensor is integrated on your keyboard. So you can use Touch ID by tapping on the button on the Right upper corner. And he acts as the turn on and turn off button. This is true from the 2017 MacBook Pro and the 2018 MacBook Air onwards. Also available on keyboards Magic Keyboard that are currently sold. Separately or together with iMacs.
What Touch ID is for: lock and install
The main function of the Touch ID sensor is lock and unlock the iPad or Mac device. In its configuration wizard, when we turn it on for the first time, one of the tasks is precisely to configure your fingerprints so that the device recognizes them. Although you also have to enter a numerical code, on iPad, or a user password, on Mac, the usual thing will be to use Touch ID to sign in with your primary user on Mac I unlock iPad and Mac.
Second function in which it is essential to use Touch ID: Apple stores. when you want download an app or game from the App Store, music from the iTunes Store or books from Apple Books, your fingerprint is used to confirm your actions. This works for both iPad and Mac. And in the case of the Mac, it extends to any task you want to do that depends on the user in charge. That is, the actions that depended on enter your primary user passwordsuch as updates or security and privacy settings, now it is enough to use Touch ID instead.
A lesser known feature you can do with Touch ID is open password protected documents. In principle it works for Pages, Numbers and Keynote. If you create a document with a password, in native format, Word or PDF, you can open it with the fingerprint sensor if the original password is saved in Apple’s password manager.
Buy and identify yourself online
The third main function, and one that you will use many times if you browse the Internet, is protect stored passwords on your device and/or in iCloud. This way, you don’t need to remember your passwords to log in to apps, games, or websites. Simply unlock the password manager with Touch ID and manager will enter the username and password automatically. If you do not find data that matches that app or website, you can go to the password finder. Among its many advantages, passwords are synchronized across all your Apple devices thanks to iCloud. So, if you sign up on your iPad or iPhone, you can use Touch ID to log in on your Mac as well.
This option also works for online shopping. If your purchase details are saved in the iCloud password manager or on your iPad or Mac, when you need to enter your bank account, debit or credit card, your PayPal credentials or another payment method, at place your finger on the sensor Touch ID will fill in the corresponding fields automatically. This also includes the Apple Pay payment and shopping service.
Set up Touch ID and add multiple fingerprints
When you first turn on your iPad or Mac, the setup assistant helps you set it up to start using Touch ID from day one. To do this, it asks you to choose a finger on one of your hands and place it on and off the sensor several times. But you can always make changes, deactivate or activate the functions we saw before, etc.
The main task of setting up Touch ID on iPad and Mac is to change the fingerprint you set up on the first day and/or add more fingerprints. So, depending on how you handle your iPad, you can use the closest finger or the one that is most comfortable for you.
For configure Touch ID on iPad you will have to go to Settings > Touch ID & passcode. On the Mac, the route to follow is System Settings > Touch ID and Password. Once there, you can personalize your current fingerprint, renaming it or deleting it. Or add new ones by tapping Add a footprint… The process is always the same. It will ask you to place the chosen finger several times and remove it until the recognition is completed.