Apple Contemplating Reintroducing Touch ID on the iPhone 11?
In a recent development, Apple has obtained a patent (patent number 10,275,638) for a potential return of Touch ID to the iPhone lineup [1]. However, the revival of Touch ID is not necessarily a backslide for Apple; the acoustic imaging technology described in the patent is more sophisticated and multipurpose than any fingerprint reader Apple has used before.
Currently, the technology in the patent is not in use on any Apple device. The iPhone 11 and current flagship iPhones do not incorporate an in-screen fingerprint scanner using acoustic imaging technology like the Samsung Galaxy S10 [2]. Instead, Apple has moved away from fingerprint sensors (Touch ID) in favor of Face ID facial recognition since the iPhone X in 2017 [5].
If implemented, the in-screen fingerprint scanner will allow users to unlock their phone, make online payments, or enter passwords simply by touching the screen. However, the patent does not guarantee the immediate implementation of the in-screen fingerprint scanner technology on any Apple device [4].
The patent filing was first discovered by Patently Apple, and it suggests the use of the technology to scan not only fingers but also ears and cheeks [6]. The in-screen fingerprint scanner will use an acoustic imaging system for scanning the surface of an object placed against the phone's screen [7]. This system is generally regarded as more accurate and secure than optical in-screen fingerprint sensors.
In the future, Apple is envisioning an in-screen fingerprint scanner for devices instead of the Touch ID home button on iPhone 8/8 Plus. Interestingly, the patent also hints at the possibility of a foldable iPhone expected around 2026 featuring a Touch ID sensor integrated into the side button, similar to what is found on some iPad models [3]. This design choice is reportedly due to space constraints and the need for a thin profile, not to incorporate an acoustic in-screen fingerprint sensor.
The widespread acceptance of Face ID on iPhone X, XS, and XR does not necessarily mean that the return of Touch ID is unwanted by iPhone fans. The patent does not specify if Touch ID will be included in the iPhone 11 or a future iPhone model [8].
In summary:
| Device/Model | Fingerprint Scanner Type | Notes | |---------------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | iPhone 11 | No (uses Face ID) | No fingerprint sensor | | Current flagship iPhones | No (uses Face ID) | No in-screen fingerprint scanner | | Rumored 2026 Foldable iPhone | Touch ID in side button | No under-screen fingerprint scanner; no acoustic imaging technology[3] | | Samsung Galaxy S10 | In-screen ultrasonic fingerprint sensor | Uses acoustic imaging technology under the screen |
No official Apple iPhone model as of 2025 has adopted an in-display fingerprint scanner using acoustic imaging technology comparable to Samsung's implementation. Thus, if you are expecting an iPhone with in-screen fingerprint scanning like the Galaxy S10, that has not been introduced and does not appear in the near roadmap. For now, Apple's biometric focus is still mostly on Face ID, with side-button Touch ID returning in special future models, but not an under-screen acoustic fingerprint sensor [1][3][5].
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