Future Apple Watches May Use Touch ID for Locking

Login to Continue Learning

Apple has revealed several product code leaks that have provided insights into the company’s upcoming plans. For instance, development work on the M4 Ultra chip was spotted and a 5G-powered MacBook Pro was also hinted at. The latest leak suggests that future Apple Watch models might finally adopt Touch ID technology.

Various patents previously filed by Apple discuss the implementation of Touch ID on an Apple Watch. Although these patents exist, no product has yet materialized. Some leaked code from Macworld indicates that biometric authentication could be included in 2026 models, with the term “AppleMesa” mentioned as the internal codename for Touch ID. The report notes that this code is only for internal use, suggesting that prototypes are being developed but nothing has been confirmed yet.

So far, none of the Apple Watch models launching later this year or in 2026 have been reported to include Touch ID. This is understandable given the size constraints of smartwatches. When introduced on the iPhone 5s, Touch ID was embedded within the home button. For the latest iPad Air models, it’s integrated into the side power button, an approach that could be adopted for future Apple Watches.

In-display optical sensors are common in Android smartphones, but Apple has not incorporated this feature into any of its devices because Face ID is considered more premium and convenient. Just because Touch ID was referenced in leaked code doesn’t guarantee its inclusion. If there are development issues or if the feature does not work as intended, it could be scrapped entirely.