Face ID, Touch ID, & Optic ID

Discover the differences and benefits of Apple's biometric authentication technologies: Face ID, Touch ID, and Optic ID. Learn how they secure your devices.

Face ID, Touch ID, & Optic ID

Face ID

Face ID is Apple’s facial recognition technology designed for secure authentication and user convenience.

Face ID is used in iPhone X and later models as well as iPad Pro models with Face ID such as iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd Generation) and later and iPad Pro 11-inch (1st Generation) and later.

Person Using iPhone 14 Activating Face ID
Person Using iPhone 14 Activating Face ID

Where Is Face ID Used?

Face ID is used for unlocking Apple devices, authorising payments, and accessing secure apps and data. It offers a high level of security and a seamless user experience.

How Does Face ID Work?

Face ID utilises the TrueDepth camera system, which includes an infrared camera, flood illuminator, and dot projector. The system projects and analyses over 30,000 invisible dots to create a detailed depth map of the user’s face. The information is then processed and stored securely in the device’s Secure Enclave.

Looking at an iPhone SE (3rd Generation) with Midnight finish
Looking At An iPhone SE (3rd Generation) in Midnight Colourway

Touch ID

Touch ID is Apple’s fingerprint recognition technology used for biometric authentication.

Touch ID is used in iPhone 5s to iPhone 8, as well as iPhone SE (2nd Generation) and iPhone SE (3rd Generation. It is also used in iPad Air (3rd Generation) and later, iPad (5th Generation) and later, iPad mini (3rd Generation) and later, and older iPad Pro models.

Touch ID is also in MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar, MacBook Pro models with Apple Silicon, and MacBook Air (2018) and later.

Where Is Touch ID Used?

Touch ID provides a quick and secure way to unlock devices, authorise App Store purchases, and make secure payments via Apple Pay. It enhances security while offering convenience to users.

How Does It Work?

Touch ID uses a capacitive touch sensor integrated into the device’s home button or power button. When a finger is placed on the sensor, it captures a high-resolution image of the fingerprint and compares it against the stored fingerprint data in the Secure Enclave. If the match is successful, the device is unlocked or the transaction is authorised.

Apple Vision Pro Inside An Apple Store
Apple Vision Pro Inside An Apple Store

Optic ID

Optic ID is Apple’s iris recognition technology introduced with the Apple Vision Pro.

Optic ID is currently only used in Apple Vision Pro.

Why Is Optic ID Used?

Optic ID is used for secure authentication, allowing users to unlock their devices and access sensitive information quickly and securely by recognising the unique patterns in their irises.

How Does Optic ID Work?

Optic ID uses advanced sensors working with the R1 chip and machine learning algorithms to capture and analyse the unique patterns of the user’s iris. This data is then compared to the stored iris data to authenticate the user’s identity. The process is designed to be fast, secure, and highly accurate.