Apple has patented a fingerprint reader that, according to his ideas, could be placed directly under the display. The new technology could be ready for the future generation of the foldable iPhone Fold, but at the same time it opens the door to its integration into regular iPhones, iPads or Apple Watches. In addition, a similar solution could serve as a suitable addition to the existing Face ID, which may not always be the most suitable security method.
Androids have had fingerprint readers (optical or ultrasonic) for years, now it’s Apple’s turn
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Touch ID is nothing new for Apple. In older iPhones (before the arrival of the iPhone X) and in the iPhone SE it was part of the button on the front, since 2020 it is then used in the side button of iPads. While Android smartphones use a fingerprint reader in OLED displays, Apple has so far favored Face ID – i.e. a 3D face scanner. That may soon change, according to a recently granted patent.
Touch ID i u iPadu a Apple Watch
Apple has patented a display that can increase the brightness on a certain part of its surface, which it explains as the necessary illumination of the finger when scanning. It is on this principle that the optical method works, which on current Androids illuminates the finger with white or green light. According to the patent, the reader in the display does not have to be intended only for the iPhone – it could also be used by iPads or Apple Watches. This would be the first ever biometric method for this smartwatch.
Thus, Apple is finally moving towards another method of biometric security, which would not increase the dimensions of mobile devices in any way. In addition, for iPads, a bet on Touch ID in the display could unify the design across all model lines.
Although Apple has heavily favored Face ID in recent years, this patent shows that the fingerprint reader remains for it relevant and perspective technology. It could work as an alternative to face scanning – for example, for devices where the distinctive Dynamic Island with all the necessary sensors was an obstacle, or for those where Face ID could not be easily integrated under the display. In addition, the reader in the display could be part of a hybrid system for an even higher level of security, e.g. when scanning the face and finger simultaneously.
Of course, the existence of a patent does not guarantee that Apple will immediately deploy an optical fingerprint reader in its devices. However, it clearly shows the direction in which it wants to go in the area of future products – in addition to the gradual reduction of the Dynamic Island, it is also about moving the Face ID sensors under the display. However, this may well take a few more years.
Suggestions for improving Face ID
The patent undoubtedly also responds to the long-standing situation in the US, where iPhone users can be forced by security forces to unlock the phone – and this can also apply when you are traveling to the country yourself. All you have to do is point the iPhone at your face and access to the device is instantly open. Of course, there is a partial protection here as well, which is the “Require attention for Face ID” feature.
Face ID can already demand attention when scanning
In Europe, such aiming at the face is a kind of “grey zone” and may be undesirable in certain situations. Although the iPhone can temporarily deactivate Face ID by pressing the lock button five times, a complete change of approach to this function would certainly be useful in the future.
What specifically could change? Face ID should not only be a tool for convenient access to the phone, but also a tool of personal choice. Users should have significantly more control over when they want to be protected by a code and when by biometrics.
It is already possible to request Face ID when opening applications – but an automated system solution would be useful for this
A practical improvement could be to make it easier to disable biometrics – for example by gesture or by tapping the back of the phone, where an “invisible button” already exists. However, Apple previously resisted this, mainly due to the fact that the gesture can be activated randomly. Another suggestion could be the introduction special emergency code. This would unlock the iPhone, but would make sensitive applications and information (call history, received messages) inaccessible, which would represent a fundamental shift in protection against possible coercion. Currently, you have to manually lock individual apps and they will only open after Face ID verification.
Perhaps it’s high time that Apple reconsiders its approach to Face ID – and the integration of Touch ID into iPhones could be the right impetus for this move.
date:2026-02-13 07:55:00
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