Touch ID is a passwordless authentication method available on some Apple devices, including MacBooks. This feature allows you to unlock your Mac, access an account, make purchases, and perform others tasks without the need to enter a password. Simply by placing your finger on the Mac's Touch ID sensor, you'll be able to do all of this and more.
Read on to learn all about your MacBook's Touch ID, including how to set it up, use it, and add or remove fingerprints.
Here's What You Can Do With Touch ID on Your Mac
Touch ID is not a complete replacement for the traditional password login method because sometimes your Mac may still require you to enter your password instead of using this tool. However, Touch ID can be quite handy since it makes the login process faster and can be used in various situations.
You can use the Touch ID feature on your Mac to:
- Unlock your MacBook
- Make purchases online using Apple Pay
- Sign in to apps and websites
- Authorize in-app purchases
How to Use Touch ID on Mac
Not all MacBooks come with a Touch ID sensor. It's only possible to use it on those models that have a Touch ID sensor.
To unlock your Mac with Touch ID, make a purchase on the App Store, or do any other action that is supported by this tool, all you need to do is place your finger on the Touch ID sensor whenever prompted. The sensor is located in the upper-right corner of Mac's keyboard.
And of course, to start using Touch ID on your Mac, you need to set it up first.
How to Set Up Touch ID
Your MacBook will ask you to set up Touch ID when you launch your Mac for the first time. You can choose to either set it up then or to do it later. If you went with the second option and now are ready to set up Touch ID on your Mac, here's how you can do that:
- Open System Preferences on your Mac.
- Head to Touch ID.
- Click the plus icon (+) located over Add Fingerprint.
- Follow the onscreen instructions: place your finger on the Touch ID sensor, lift it, and repeat a few times. When your fingerprint is colored red, it means that it is ready and you can click Done.
- Now you can choose how you want to use the Touch ID tool. Enable the checkboxes near the ways you can use Touch ID:
- Unlocking your Mac
- Apple Pay
- iTunes Store
- App Store & Apple Books
- Password AutoFill
That's all. Just as simple as that, you now have Touch ID set up on your Mac and are ready to use it.
How to Add, Delete, or Name Fingerprints
Your Mac can hold up to three fingerprints on your user account. So after setting up Touch ID on your device, you can add more fingerprints, either your own or someone else's. To do this, simply head to System Preferences > Touch ID and click Add Fingerprint.
The process of adding a new fingerprint is the same as during the initial setup.
To name your fingerprint, click on Finger 1, Finger 2, or whichever its name is, and type in the new name. Hit Enter on your keyboard to save the new name.
If you wish to delete a fingerprint from your Mac, hover your mouse cursor over the fingerprint and click the X icon. Your Mac will ask you whether you are sure about this decision. To confirm, click Delete.
Enjoy the Benefits of Using Touch ID on Your Mac
Touch ID is a secure authentication method that makes logging into an account or making purchases on your Mac a lot easier. When using Touch ID, there is no need to enter any passwords. Just by one touch of your finger, you'll be able to quickly log into your Mac, make an App Store purchase, and much more.