How to use Touch ID on your iPhone, iPad

Our devices hold our entire lives—credit cards, banking information, email, contacts, photos, and more—so the stronger your security, the harder it is for someone to access your data. If you're using certain models of an iPhone® or iPad®, Touch ID® can help. But what exactly is it, and how do you set it up?

Asurion is your one-stop-shop for troubleshooting, fixing, and maximizing your tech. From staying safe on public Wi-Fi to fixing a cracked phone screen, our experts offer tech care to millions. Here's their guide on how to set up, use, and disable Touch ID on your Apple® device.

What is Touch ID?

It's a fingerprint identity sensor that lets you safely and easily unlock your device, authorize payments and purchases, and sign in to some third-party apps.

Where is the Touch ID sensor located?

It's either the Home button or, if you have an iPad Air® (4th generation), it's the top button.

Which devices use Touch ID?

• iPhone 6s
• iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone SE® (1st generation)
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 8
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPad mini® 4 and later
• iPad (5th generation and later)
• iPad Air® 2 and later
• iPad Pro® 9.7-inch
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd generation)

Note that newer models use Face ID instead of Touch ID.

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How to set up Touch ID on your iPhone or iPad

First, you'll need to create a passcode, then you'll set up Touch ID. Follow these steps:

Create a passcode

1. Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode.
2. Tap Turn Passcode On.
3. Enter a six-digit passcode.
4. You can also tap Passcode Options to switch to a custom passcode.
5. Enter your passcode again to confirm and activate it.

Turn on fingerprint recognition

You may have already turned this on when you initially set up your device, but if not, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode.
2. Turn on the options you'd like to use, then follow the onscreen instructions.

Set up Touch ID

At this point, you're ready to set up Touch ID. Here's how.

1. Check that your finger and the Touch ID sensor are dry and clean.
2. Tap Settings > Touch ID & Passcode, then enter your passcode.
3. Tap Add a Fingerprint, then hold your device as you normally would when touching the Touch ID sensor.
4. Gently touch the Touch ID sensor with your finger, but don't press hard. That way your device can begin recognizing your fingerprint. Hold your finger there until you feel a quick vibration or until you're asked to lift your finger.
5. Follow the prompts on the screen to lift and rest your finger slowly.
6. You'll be asked to adjust your grip. Hold your device as you normally would when unlocking it, then touch the Touch ID sensor with the outer areas of your fingertip, instead of the center portion that you scanned first.
7. Once you set up Touch ID, use it to unlock your iPhone or iPad by pressing the same finger to the sensor that you used to register Touch ID.

How to add multiple fingerprints

1. Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode.
2. Tap Add a Fingerprint, then follow the directions on your screen.
3. You can add up to five fingerprints. To remove them, tap the print, then tap Delete Fingerprint.

How to disable Touch ID on your iPhone or iPad

1. Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode.
2. Turn off one or more of the options.