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Apple Testing an Onscreen Fingerprint Scanner

By iPad Pete 8 Comments

How do you prove to your iPhone that it’s really you who wants to unlock and use it? At a minimum, Apple will prompt you to type in your passcode after the screen has been locked for a certain period of inactivity.

For example, the screen locks after 5 minutes when you’ve let it sit on the counter while you’re preparing lunch. Otherwise, an unauthorized person could start snooping around your iPhone. A passcode keeps others from looking at your private emails or viewing your web browsing history. Locking the screen when the iPhone is not in use also saves battery power.

Older iPhones pioneered the use of a fingerprint sensor just below the power button or home button. That made it easy to unlock them, with just a touch.

But now, as Apple’s engineers develop the next iPhone for release in 2021, they are testing a new kind of fingerprint scanner that actually is installed inside your screen display.

For context, the iPhone 5S popularized fingerprint scanners when they were released back in 2013. Then, Apple introduced another way to unlock your iPhone, with Face ID, in 2017. With that approach, your iPhone’s camera would recognize you by your face and you didn’t need to scan your fingerprint.

Since last March, people have been wearing masks to maintain social distancing because of COVID-19. That makes it harder to rely on Face ID scans of people’s faces.

So, giving users an improved fingerprint scanner in upcoming iPhones this year should be helpful for mask wearers. The new fingerprint scanner won’t eliminate Face ID. It’s just another option for authentication.

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Filed Under: Features, Tech News

Comments

  1. Mickey Geller says

    at

    That works for younger people whose fingerprints have not worn down by time. When my husband and I went to apply for global entry, it was difficult to get our fingerprints as the whorls are not as pronounced. I wonder if this would work for people like us!

    Reply
  2. Mary Beaven says

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    Interesting & informative article.
    Thank you.

    Reply
  3. Mike Schuttler says

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    When developed it should be offered to all vis software upgrade so they don’t get accused of forcing people to upgrade.

    Reply
  4. Michael Kondilas says

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    I use my face to turn on my iPhone but when wearing my mask it would be great to use your finger to turn on the phone. Great idea

    Reply
  5. Claude Adams says

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    It should be included in the next update.

    Reply
  6. Dennis says

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    As much as I enjoy the face ID is concerning me.
    Photo IDs do not exclude identical twins, nor can they differentiate when people are awake, sleeping, or dead.

    I have always been concerned that when on vacation, or on a plane and I fall asleep that somebody can come by, take my picture, go to my banking account, and create a funds transfer. I would not know about it until my bank sends me my monthly statement.

    Reply
  7. Jennifer says

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    When will this be available

    Reply
  8. Jennifer says

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    When will this feature be available?

    Reply

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