Apple unveiled Touch ID in 2013 with the launch of the iPhone 5S, a fingerprint recognition sensor offering users a convenient method to secure their devices. The feature made its way to Apple’s laptops beginning with the 2016 MacBook Pro and has been incorporated into most MacBook models across various price ranges that Apple has rolled out since that time. One significant exception is the entry-level MacBook Neo, but the fingerprint scanner is even integrated into the Magic Keyboard that accompanies most iMacs. While the iPhone X eliminated the physical home button and replaced fingerprints with facial recognition, Face ID has yet to supersede Touch ID on MacBooks.
Naturally, your MacBook’s Touch ID button — positioned in the upper right-hand corner of the keyboard — does more than simply allow you to lock and unlock your laptop without the need to input your password every time. You may have encountered several of its additional features, but there are others you might not be aware of. This also includes functions that don’t actually involve Touch ID, such as rebooting your device or accessing one of your Mac’s best accessibility options.
### Enter passwords
You might have already engaged this feature, but you can utilize the Touch ID button to AutoFill usernames and passwords in Safari. You’ll need to have the details saved in iCloud Keychain, and you can opt to remember passwords for future Touch ID usage. If this isn’t functioning correctly for you, navigate to **System Settings**, then **Touch ID & Password**, and confirm that **Use Touch ID for autofilling passwords** is enabled. Additionally, you must establish a password for your MacBook before utilizing iCloud Keychain features.
Moreover, you can employ Touch ID to access password-secured content on your laptop, such as notes, documents, and the “Recently Deleted” and “Hidden” albums in the Photos app. This is beneficial if there are items on your laptop you prefer to keep confidential, particularly on a shared device. Note that certain notes cannot be locked, including those you’ve already shared and those that contain videos, audio files, PDFs, or documents.
### Make purchases
This is likely another feature you’ve utilized, but you can employ Touch ID for payments with Apple Pay or for purchasing within iTunes, the App Store, and Apple Books. This, of course, necessitates having a card on file for Apple’s digital stores or Apple Pay. If you own an iPhone, you’ve probably already done this, but you can configure Apple Pay through **System Settings**, then **Wallet & Apple Pay**. From there, you can opt to use a card on file (if applicable) or add a new card either manually or by using your computer’s camera.
Touch ID isn’t the sole method to utilize Apple Pay on a MacBook, as purchases can also be confirmed using your iPhone or Apple Watch, but it’s the most straightforward. Just ensure that Touch ID is activated for Apple Pay and other transactions in System Preferences.
### Switch profiles
When configuring Touch ID on your MacBook, you have the choice to enable or disable particular features. A lesser-known option is fast user switching, which enables you to toggle between different profiles on your device using just your fingerprint when multiple users are logged in. It’s a feature more commonly required on desktops, but it’s nice to have for those who share a laptop.
To activate fast user switching, head to the **Touch ID & Password** menu in System Preferences and enable **Use Touch ID sensor for fast user switching**. Be aware that you’ll need to possess device administrator rights to establish this feature. To utilize it, press the Touch ID button until it clicks; this will open your account, allowing you to proceed with your tasks swiftly. Keep in mind that the user must have entered their password to sign in recently; otherwise, they will need to input it.
### Reboot or lock your device
This feature isn’t directly related to Touch ID, but rather to the button itself. The Touch ID button has replaced the traditional power button in newer models, something that some Reddit users have admitted they overlooked even after using their MacBooks for some time. This button will be what you use to put your laptop to sleep and, when needed, force it to shut down. To access the shutdown option, simply apply more pressure on the button than you would when using the fingerprint scanner. If your computer is unresponsive, continue holding the button until it powers down. You will lose any unsaved changes, but a restart should ideally fix your issue.
You can also quickly press the Touch ID button to lock your MacBook’s screen, giving you a quick way to secure your device. There are other methods to accomplish this, such as setting up hot corners with a lock screen shortcut, yet the Touch ID button remains a simple option when in a hurry.