Apple is reportedly testing the addition of Touch ID on the Apple Watch, according to newly discovered code. This feature could arrive with next year’s Apple Watch models, giving users a more secure and convenient way to unlock their devices.
The report, first highlighted by Macworld, points to system-level references to Touch ID within watchOS. This discovery suggests Apple has been experimenting with biometric authentication at the software level for some time. Although it remains unclear how Apple plans to implement the feature, the inclusion of Touch ID on the smartwatch would mark one of the most significant hardware updates in years.
At present, the Apple Watch relies on either a numeric passcode or automatic unlocking via a paired iPhone. While these methods are functional, they are not as seamless as biometric authentication. Entering a passcode on the small watch screen can be cumbersome, and iPhone proximity unlock only works reliably in certain situations. Introducing Touch ID would streamline the process and bring the Apple Watch closer in line with the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, where fingerprint recognition has become standard.
Apple has explored several technical approaches in patents and research. One possibility is embedding the fingerprint sensor into the Digital Crown, which would allow users to unlock the watch simply by resting a finger on it. Another option could involve integrating Touch ID beneath the display, enabling recognition across a larger area. Each approach presents challenges in terms of durability, power efficiency, and waterproofing, but Apple’s history of engineering solutions suggests it is actively working to overcome these limitations.
The addition of Touch ID would not only improve everyday convenience but could also expand the Apple Watch’s role in identity verification. Beyond unlocking, the feature could enhance security for Apple Pay, app authentication, and sensitive health data stored on the device. With Apple investing heavily in digital identity features, including driver’s license and ID card support in Wallet, a biometric option on the watch would make sense as part of its broader ecosystem strategy.
If Touch ID arrives with the Apple Watch Series 11, it would be the first major new unlocking method since the product launched in 2015. Apple has steadily improved the Watch with new sensors, Ultra Wideband technology, and deeper integration across its devices. A fingerprint sensor would represent the next step in this evolution.
Apple is expected to announce the Apple Watch Series 11 in fall 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 lineup. With watchOS 26 already in beta testing, further references to biometric authentication could appear in the coming months, offering more insight into Apple’s plans for the future of its smartwatch.
