How to Setup and Use Touch ID on MacBook Pro

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Like Touch ID on your iPhone and iPad, you can also use your fingerprint on your MacBook Pro. So once you setup your Touch ID on your Mac, you can do everything that you did on your iPhone or iPad. Whether it is iTunes Store, App Store or iBooks Store purchases, or using Apple Pay, Touch ID on your MacBook Pro will perform all these tasks without any hassle. Follow this complete guide on how you can setup and use Touch ID on MacBook Pro.

Note that is available on MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016) and later, and MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) and later. You can find this feature on the right side of the Touch Bar at the top of the keyboard.

How to Setup and Use Touch ID on MacBook Pro

How to Setup and Use Touch ID on MacBook Pro

Table of Contents:

How to Setup Touch ID on MacBook Pro

Step #1: First and foremost, you need to keep your finger(s) clean and dry.

Step #2: Now, click on Apple menu and then click on System Preferences.

Step #3: Next, click on Touch ID.

Step #4: Then you need to click on plus ‘+’ icon to add your fingerprint.

Step #5: You will be prompted to enter your account password.

Step #6: Now follow the on-screen instructions; basically, you are required to lift and rest your finger in different positions on Touch ID button.

Step #7: Click the checkboxes to choose Touch ID feature that you wish to use on your Mac.

While you are adding your fingerprints, simply place your finger on the Touch ID button but don’t press. Keep your finger on the button until you are asked to lift the finger. Moreover, lift and rest your finger slowly and keep changing positions of your finger each time. Don’t forget to name and save your fingerprint; this will help you when you want to delete your fingerprint in future. Give a suitable name to your fingerprint; for example, Right Index for the first finger of your right hand.

How to Unlock MacBook Pro with Touch ID

Once your Touch ID is set up on Mac, you can unlock your Mac with your Touch ID. Simply wake up your Mac by opening the lid, then press any key or gently tap on the track pad. Next, put your finger on Touch ID to log in.

However, you need to enter your Mac password to log in after start up, restart or log out of your Mac. Once you are logged in, you can immediately validate with Touch ID whenever you are prompted to give your password.

In addition to the above feature, you can use Touch ID to unlock below-mentioned features on Mac:

  • Notes locked by password
  • Passwords section in Safari Preferences
  • System Preferences

Remember, you must enter your password instead of using Touch ID to unlock the Security & Privacy window an Users & Groups window (in case you have turned on FileVault).

You can allow other users (in your family) to set up their Touch ID on the same Mac. When there are multiple users who have set up Touch ID, they can use this feature to change or switch accounts. Simply press Touch ID and MacBook Pro switches to the logged-in user account linked with the fingerprint.

Use Touch ID to Make Purchases on iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store

Now you don’t need to remember your Apple ID password to make purchases on your Mac; instead use Touch ID.

Step #1: Launch iTunes Store, App Store, or iBooks Store on your Mac.

Step #2: Click on buy button if you want to purchase something.

Step #3: You can see a Touch ID prompt.

Step #4: Simply put your finger on Touch ID to finish the purchase.

Your Mac may prompt you to type your password for the first purchase, or if you have made some changes to the fingerprints that you have registered with Touch ID.

How to Turn on, Restart, Sleep, and Shut down MacBook Pro with Touch ID

When your MacBook Pro is open and turned off, simply press Touch ID. And when the MacBook Pro is closed and turned off, just open it to turn it on.

You cannot open a dialog with options to Sleep, Restart, or Shut Down by holding down Touch ID on MacBook Pro; this was the practice in older Mac notebooks. You will see these options in Apple menu. When your MacBook Pro doesn’t respond, you can hold down Touch ID for six seconds to force a shut down. However, this will erase unsaved work.

If you want to put your MacBook Pro to sleep, don’t press Touch ID; instead, you need to select Apple menu → Sleep. An addition of Sleep button to the Control Strip in the Touch Bar is more comfortable:

Step #1: Select View → Customize Touch Bar.

Step #2: Tap on the Control Strip area of the Touch Bar to switch to Control Strip customization.

Step #3: Next, drag the items you want by using cursor; you can add items from the main display to the Touch Bar.

Step #4: You can adjust or rearrange items by dragging them left and right within the Touch Bar; or remove those items from Touch Bar by dragging them up and out.

Step #5: Finally, tap on Done in the Touch Bar or click Done on the screen to complete the process.

How to Delete Fingerprints on MacBook Pro

You can register three fingerprints on your MacBook Pro; in case, you don’t want to use any one of the fingers, you can remove or delete fingerprints from MacBook Pro.

Step #1: Launch System Preferences on your MacBook Pro.

Step #2: Next, click on Touch ID and then search the saved Touch ID you wish to remove.

Step #3: Now click on Delete button (x); you will be prompted to enter your password to remove fingerprints.

That’s all for Touch ID on MacBook Pro!

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