Quick guide to Touch ID fingerprint scanner for iPhone 5S
The fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5S, called Touch ID, makes it easier to unlock the iPhone compared to using a 4-digit PIN code. You can also purchase apps/music etc from iTunes and the App Store using Touch ID. If you already use a 4-digit PIN, you’ll likely find Touch ID to be more convenient as it saves constantly entering your pin, simply press your finger on the home button to unlock. If you don’t use any security at all, Touch ID might finally be the security measure you’ve been looking for.
Setting up Touch ID is easy, just go to Settings > General > Touch ID & Passcode > Touch ID, then follow the fingerprint enrolment procedure.
Here are some handy tips for using the Touch ID:
- You can scan your finger upside down: the Touch ID sensor has 360-degree readability so although it may seem like you have to line your finger up, really you can scan it at any angle.
- You can store up to five fingers: You can store a maximum of five fingers in Touch ID, but the more fingerprints you store, the longer it will take Touch ID to identify which finger you’re scanning.
- Which finger is which? If you enrolled multiple fingers, but didn’t label them, you can easily identify them by scanning them in Touch ID Settings.
- You have five attempts, not three. After three failed scan attempts you can choose to enter your passcode here, but you actually have two more attempts before you’re forced to use your passcode.
- Cover the home button. Touch ID is supposed to learn and gradually improve its recognition of your fingerprints. If you’re having problems with consistency, make sure you’re covering the entire home button.