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What does the TouchID button do on the new MacBook Pro?

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1

1

I just got the new MacBook Pro with the touch bar, and I do not know what the TouchID button does. It is clickable, but as far as I can tell it does not do anything when clicked. However, this is unlikely because I don't think that Apple will add an inoperative button to their computers.

keyboard macbook macbook-pro

share|improve this question

asked Apr 10 '18 at 21:28

Jaskirat SinghJaskirat Singh

813

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Old question, but are you also asking this since the new MacBooks (2016 onwards) simply automatically power on when the lid of the machine is opened? In the past you had to hit that power button (which is now a Touch ID button as well) to power up a MacBook; not the case anymore.
  
  – JakeGould
  Nov 16 '18 at 15:16
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

1

1

I just got the new MacBook Pro with the touch bar, and I do not know what the TouchID button does. It is clickable, but as far as I can tell it does not do anything when clicked. However, this is unlikely because I don't think that Apple will add an inoperative button to their computers.

keyboard macbook macbook-pro

share|improve this question

asked Apr 10 '18 at 21:28

Jaskirat SinghJaskirat Singh

813

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Old question, but are you also asking this since the new MacBooks (2016 onwards) simply automatically power on when the lid of the machine is opened? In the past you had to hit that power button (which is now a Touch ID button as well) to power up a MacBook; not the case anymore.
  
  – JakeGould
  Nov 16 '18 at 15:16
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

I just got the new MacBook Pro with the touch bar, and I do not know what the TouchID button does. It is clickable, but as far as I can tell it does not do anything when clicked. However, this is unlikely because I don't think that Apple will add an inoperative button to their computers.

keyboard macbook macbook-pro

share|improve this question

asked Apr 10 '18 at 21:28

Jaskirat SinghJaskirat Singh

813

share|improve this question

asked Apr 10 '18 at 21:28

Jaskirat SinghJaskirat Singh

813

share|improve this question

asked Apr 10 '18 at 21:28

Jaskirat SinghJaskirat Singh

813

asked Apr 10 '18 at 21:28

Jaskirat SinghJaskirat Singh

813

asked Apr 10 '18 at 21:28

Jaskirat SinghJaskirat Singh

813

4 Answers
4

active

oldest

votes

1

You can do multiple things with TouchID on a MacBook, it's essentially the same thing as on the iPhone.

With TouchID you can:

• Turn on, restart, sleep and shutdown the system.


• Unlock and log in when waking your Mac from sleep. You must type in your password after start up, restarting, or logging out of your account
  


• Gain access to password protected sections, such as in System Preferences.


• Make purchases in the iTunes Store, App Store or iBooks store.


• Making purchases with Apple Pay in Safari

Although 2017 MacBooks start when you open the lid, the finger print button also acts as a power button, like all other laptops. You can hold it down to force shutdown and restart the OS.

I'm sure there is also more things that I'm unaware of.

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 11 '18 at 5:05

answered Apr 10 '18 at 22:25

DrZooDrZoo

6,02121839

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Thanks! I guess it can be used to force restart the machine if the OS hangs up or something.
  
  – Jaskirat Singh
  Apr 11 '18 at 4:53
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  @JaskiratSingh yep it’s the same as the power button on other laptops, along with the fingerprint reader for other functionality.
  
  – DrZoo
  Apr 11 '18 at 5:03
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

1

That button is very useful. As another way to login to this machine you need to enrol in TouchID within iCloud/System Preferences. You will then be able to login to your MacBook using only your fingerprint.

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 10 '18 at 21:38

JohnnyVegasJohnnyVegas

2,4981815

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Yes, I know the touch ID can be used to log into the MacBook, use apple pay, etc, but why does the button push down? The fingerprint scanner did not have to be a button, it could have been a static sensor.
  
  – Jaskirat Singh
  Apr 10 '18 at 22:21
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  @JaskiratSingh because it also functions as the power button. If that's what your original question is, your question body is not informative enough.
  
  – DrZoo
  Apr 10 '18 at 22:28
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

1

In addition to TouchID functionality and serving as a power button, you can also configure the button to act as an accessibility shortcut. Just look under Accessibility in the System Preferences!

Shortcuts include things like Zoom, Color Inversion, Mouse Keys and more.

share|improve this answer

edited Nov 16 '18 at 15:15

JakeGould

32.1k1098141

answered Nov 16 '18 at 15:05

George RautenbergGeorge Rautenberg

111

add a comment | 

0

From my experience so far, the Touch ID button allows you to switch to different user accounts on your Mac. However it may not have that same feature if your computer only has one user.

share|improve this answer

answered 15 mins ago

Allison LeeAllison Lee

1

New contributor

Allison Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

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1

You can do multiple things with TouchID on a MacBook, it's essentially the same thing as on the iPhone.

With TouchID you can:

• Turn on, restart, sleep and shutdown the system.


• Unlock and log in when waking your Mac from sleep. You must type in your password after start up, restarting, or logging out of your account
  


• Gain access to password protected sections, such as in System Preferences.


• Make purchases in the iTunes Store, App Store or iBooks store.


• Making purchases with Apple Pay in Safari

Although 2017 MacBooks start when you open the lid, the finger print button also acts as a power button, like all other laptops. You can hold it down to force shutdown and restart the OS.

I'm sure there is also more things that I'm unaware of.

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 11 '18 at 5:05

answered Apr 10 '18 at 22:25

DrZooDrZoo

6,02121839

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Thanks! I guess it can be used to force restart the machine if the OS hangs up or something.
  
  – Jaskirat Singh
  Apr 11 '18 at 4:53
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  @JaskiratSingh yep it’s the same as the power button on other laptops, along with the fingerprint reader for other functionality.
  
  – DrZoo
  Apr 11 '18 at 5:03
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

1

You can do multiple things with TouchID on a MacBook, it's essentially the same thing as on the iPhone.

With TouchID you can:

• Turn on, restart, sleep and shutdown the system.


• Unlock and log in when waking your Mac from sleep. You must type in your password after start up, restarting, or logging out of your account
  


• Gain access to password protected sections, such as in System Preferences.


• Make purchases in the iTunes Store, App Store or iBooks store.


• Making purchases with Apple Pay in Safari

Although 2017 MacBooks start when you open the lid, the finger print button also acts as a power button, like all other laptops. You can hold it down to force shutdown and restart the OS.

I'm sure there is also more things that I'm unaware of.

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 11 '18 at 5:05

answered Apr 10 '18 at 22:25

DrZooDrZoo

6,02121839

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Thanks! I guess it can be used to force restart the machine if the OS hangs up or something.
  
  – Jaskirat Singh
  Apr 11 '18 at 4:53
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  @JaskiratSingh yep it’s the same as the power button on other laptops, along with the fingerprint reader for other functionality.
  
  – DrZoo
  Apr 11 '18 at 5:03
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

You can do multiple things with TouchID on a MacBook, it's essentially the same thing as on the iPhone.

With TouchID you can:

• Turn on, restart, sleep and shutdown the system.


• Unlock and log in when waking your Mac from sleep. You must type in your password after start up, restarting, or logging out of your account
  


• Gain access to password protected sections, such as in System Preferences.


• Make purchases in the iTunes Store, App Store or iBooks store.


• Making purchases with Apple Pay in Safari

Although 2017 MacBooks start when you open the lid, the finger print button also acts as a power button, like all other laptops. You can hold it down to force shutdown and restart the OS.

I'm sure there is also more things that I'm unaware of.

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 11 '18 at 5:05

answered Apr 10 '18 at 22:25

DrZooDrZoo

6,02121839

share|improve this answer

edited Apr 11 '18 at 5:05

answered Apr 10 '18 at 22:25

DrZooDrZoo

6,02121839

answered Apr 10 '18 at 22:25

DrZooDrZoo

6,02121839

answered Apr 10 '18 at 22:25

DrZooDrZoo

6,02121839

1

That button is very useful. As another way to login to this machine you need to enrol in TouchID within iCloud/System Preferences. You will then be able to login to your MacBook using only your fingerprint.

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 10 '18 at 21:38

JohnnyVegasJohnnyVegas

2,4981815

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Yes, I know the touch ID can be used to log into the MacBook, use apple pay, etc, but why does the button push down? The fingerprint scanner did not have to be a button, it could have been a static sensor.
  
  – Jaskirat Singh
  Apr 10 '18 at 22:21
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  @JaskiratSingh because it also functions as the power button. If that's what your original question is, your question body is not informative enough.
  
  – DrZoo
  Apr 10 '18 at 22:28
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

1

That button is very useful. As another way to login to this machine you need to enrol in TouchID within iCloud/System Preferences. You will then be able to login to your MacBook using only your fingerprint.

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 10 '18 at 21:38

JohnnyVegasJohnnyVegas

2,4981815

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Yes, I know the touch ID can be used to log into the MacBook, use apple pay, etc, but why does the button push down? The fingerprint scanner did not have to be a button, it could have been a static sensor.
  
  – Jaskirat Singh
  Apr 10 '18 at 22:21
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  @JaskiratSingh because it also functions as the power button. If that's what your original question is, your question body is not informative enough.
  
  – DrZoo
  Apr 10 '18 at 22:28
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

That button is very useful. As another way to login to this machine you need to enrol in TouchID within iCloud/System Preferences. You will then be able to login to your MacBook using only your fingerprint.

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 10 '18 at 21:38

JohnnyVegasJohnnyVegas

2,4981815

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 10 '18 at 21:38

JohnnyVegasJohnnyVegas

2,4981815

answered Apr 10 '18 at 21:38

JohnnyVegasJohnnyVegas

2,4981815

answered Apr 10 '18 at 21:38

JohnnyVegasJohnnyVegas

2,4981815

1

In addition to TouchID functionality and serving as a power button, you can also configure the button to act as an accessibility shortcut. Just look under Accessibility in the System Preferences!

Shortcuts include things like Zoom, Color Inversion, Mouse Keys and more.

share|improve this answer

edited Nov 16 '18 at 15:15

JakeGould

32.1k1098141

answered Nov 16 '18 at 15:05

George RautenbergGeorge Rautenberg

111

add a comment | 

1

In addition to TouchID functionality and serving as a power button, you can also configure the button to act as an accessibility shortcut. Just look under Accessibility in the System Preferences!

Shortcuts include things like Zoom, Color Inversion, Mouse Keys and more.

share|improve this answer

edited Nov 16 '18 at 15:15

JakeGould

32.1k1098141

answered Nov 16 '18 at 15:05

George RautenbergGeorge Rautenberg

111

add a comment | 

In addition to TouchID functionality and serving as a power button, you can also configure the button to act as an accessibility shortcut. Just look under Accessibility in the System Preferences!

Shortcuts include things like Zoom, Color Inversion, Mouse Keys and more.

share|improve this answer

edited Nov 16 '18 at 15:15

JakeGould

32.1k1098141

answered Nov 16 '18 at 15:05

George RautenbergGeorge Rautenberg

111

share|improve this answer

edited Nov 16 '18 at 15:15

JakeGould

32.1k1098141

answered Nov 16 '18 at 15:05

George RautenbergGeorge Rautenberg

111

edited Nov 16 '18 at 15:15

JakeGould

32.1k1098141

edited Nov 16 '18 at 15:15

JakeGould

32.1k1098141

answered Nov 16 '18 at 15:05

George RautenbergGeorge Rautenberg

111

answered Nov 16 '18 at 15:05

George RautenbergGeorge Rautenberg

111

0

From my experience so far, the Touch ID button allows you to switch to different user accounts on your Mac. However it may not have that same feature if your computer only has one user.

share|improve this answer

answered 15 mins ago

Allison LeeAllison Lee

1

New contributor

Allison Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

0

From my experience so far, the Touch ID button allows you to switch to different user accounts on your Mac. However it may not have that same feature if your computer only has one user.

share|improve this answer

answered 15 mins ago

Allison LeeAllison Lee

1

New contributor

Allison Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

From my experience so far, the Touch ID button allows you to switch to different user accounts on your Mac. However it may not have that same feature if your computer only has one user.

share|improve this answer

answered 15 mins ago

Allison LeeAllison Lee

1

New contributor

Allison Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this answer

answered 15 mins ago

Allison LeeAllison Lee

1

New contributor

Allison Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

answered 15 mins ago

Allison LeeAllison Lee

1

New contributor

Allison Lee is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

answered 15 mins ago

Allison LeeAllison Lee

1