Touch ID

Poll: has iOS 8.0.1 update broken Cellular + Touch ID for you?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

If you have just updated your trusty iPhone to the just-released iOS 8.0.1, chances are you may have ended up with a device that can't connect to the cellular network (shows No Service in the status bar) or read fingerprint data through the Touch ID sensor on the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. As you could imagine, social media is awash with complaints from disgruntled users who are venting their frustration over the cellular and Touch ID issues.

At any rate, your best bet is to steer away from this update until Apple address the situation and releases a fix. Not everyone is affected, of course, but keep in mind we have no real indication as to how widespread those issues are because Apple, at the moment, isn't talking much.

That's why we're asking you, our readers, to tell us whether iOS 8.0.1 has broken cellular connectivity and Touch ID for you.

Expert says Touch ID has improved with iPhone 6, but is still vulnerable to hack

Cody Lee ∙ September 24, 2014

Touch ID in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus has improved, but it's still vulnerable to attack according to Lookout Mobile Security researcher Marc Rogers. Rogers says that the same fake fingerprint hack he used to bypass Touch ID on the iPhone 5s works flawlessly on the new handsets.

The improvement comes in the form of better accuracy, thanks to its higher resolution scanner, which Rogers has found makes it harder to clone fingerprints. But, he says, Apple has done nothing to tighten up Touch ID's security in the iPhone 6, leaving the door open for determined hackers.

The best new features of iOS 8

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated July 25, 2023

Admittedly, the myriad of new and useful capabilities that Apple's just-released iOS 8 brings to your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad are going to prove hugely popular with mainstream users, to say the least. With iOS 8, Apple is appeasing harsh critics who'd frequently point out that Android is capable of things iOS cannot do, and then some more.

iOS 8 opens up Apple's mobile operating system to third-party development to a much greater extent than ever before. And stemming from relaxed policies, iOS 8 boosts on-the-go productivity with deeper inter-app sharing while implementing some of the features our Android friends have grown accustomed to, but in a typical hassle-free Apple fashion, things like third-party keyboards, custom actions, photo editing extensions within the context of Photos and Camera apps and way more.

And though evolutionary rather than revolutionary, we have no doubt in our minds that iOS 8 is going to significantly improve the functionality of Apple's mobile platform, and perhaps even give some folks less reasons to jailbreak.

To celebrate today's release of the free iOS 8 software update, we proudly present you this detailed overview of more than two dozen iOS 8 features we think you're going to fall in love with at first sight.

iOS 8 apps with Touch ID support

Timothy Reavis ∙ Updated January 30, 2018

Users around the world have downloaded iOS 8 today, and developers around the world are releasing quality updates to their apps, enabling support for one or more the many APIs introduced in iOS 8. Many well-loved, seasoned apps now allow you to use Touch ID to easily and conveniently sign in with your password or account.

We've been busy gathering a collection of apps that have introduced support for the new Touch ID API alongside the launch of iOS 8. The list will be updating as we're aware of new release, so if you run across an app that supports Touch ID logins that isn't documented below, let us know via email at tips@idownloadblog.com or by leaving a comment below with a link to the app!

Suppliers ramping up component production for ‘thinner, faster’ iPad Air 2 with Touch ID

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 3, 2014

According to DigiTimes, a hit-and-miss Taiwanese trade publication, Apple's suppliers are ramping up production of components for a second-generation iPad Air, which sources describe as being thinner, faster and incorporating the widely expected Touch ID fingerprint scanning feature.

The report Tuesday doesn't shed more light on the matter beyond stating the obvious, that the device will run the upcoming A8 processor and be thinner than the current-generation iPad Air, which itself is 7.5mm (about 0.29 inch) thick.

The best jailbreak tweaks for Touch ID

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Touch ID has been at the forefront of jailbreak development since it arrived, and for good reason: it's the flagship feature on Apple's iPhone 5s. As a result, there are many jailbreak tweaks that seek to alter the way that Touch ID works. Some tweaks allows you to secure individual apps with Touch ID, while others allow you to authenticate logins to websites and apps using only your fingerprints.

We've taken the liberty to compile a list of the best jailbreak tweaks for Touch ID to hit Cydia, and we break them down for you in a brand new video walkthrough.

Photos of alleged Home button parts for both iPhone 6 models surface

Cody Lee ∙ August 1, 2014

A new set of photos depicting alleged Home button components for the iPhone 6 surfaced this morning, courtesy of our friends over at Nowhereelse.fr. While we have seen parts like these before, these are particularly interesting for a couple of reasons.

The first is that they supposedly belong to both the 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 models, which is significant because we've seen far less supply chain evidence of the latter, as it's been rumored to be delayed. And the second is that they feature all-new designs...

Could this be iPhone 6’s improved, more durable Touch ID sensor?

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 16, 2014

Purported iPhone 6 parts continue leaking out ahead of the handset's assumed September unveiling. We were recently treated to a stress, bending and scratch test videos of a piece of a purported sapphire-coated iPhone 6 cover glass.

And earlier this summer, alleged leaks revealed a claimed front LCD frame, an alleged rear shell and a SIM card tray, while questionable mockups piqued everyone's interest. It's now time to turn our attention to Apple's next-generation Touch ID.

As you know, the sophisticated fingerprint scanner debuted as an iPhone 5s exclusive last September. Touch ID is expected to expand to new iPhone and iPad models this year and TSMC is said to be already building a more durable variant of Touch ID.

New images that surfaced Wednesday promise to offer a glimpse of what an improved, slightly revamped Touch ID for the iPhone 6 looks like...

1Password with Touch ID authentication and Safari Share sheet support shown off

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 30, 2014

A big part of what makes iOS 8 so great is how Apple is finally opening up its mobile operating system to developers, more than ever before.

Take Touch ID, for example. With a little help from the iOS 8 SDK and the new Local Authentication Framework, third-party apps can tap Touch ID to authenticate a user in a safe manner as fingerprint data is protected and never accessed by iOS or apps.

Brands such as PayPal have pledged to update their apps with Touch ID authentication when iOS 8 gets released for public consumption this Fall and now a beta tester has posted screenshots and a short video of Touch ID integration in 1Password for iOS, the popular password management program by AgileBits...

Rumor: TSMC building more durable Touch IDs for 2014 iPhones and iPads

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 29, 2017

As we previously told you, analysts have been clamoring for Touch ID on this year's iPhones and iPads ever since the fingerprint scanner made its debut last September on the iPhone 5s.

Furthermore, Apple has officially opened up the sophisticated sensor to third-party developers.

The latest from Apple's component suppliers: an improved, more durable Touch ID manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is headed to the next iPhone and iPad. Augmenting Monday's supply chain rumor, another source published an image just yesterday of what appears to be next-generation iPhone, iPad mini and iPad Air devices outfitted with Touch ID...

Meticulously designed dummy shows what the next iPad Air with Touch ID might look like

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 17, 2014

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the next wave of iOS devices will adopt Apple's Touch ID fingerprint sensor across the board. As I recently reported, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is adamant that Touch ID will be deployed across new iPhones and iPads coming later this year.

That the iOS 8 SDK which Apple unveiled earlier this month has opened up the sophisticated fingerprint scanner to third-party developers won't hurt either. Based on the rumor-mill talk and supposed specifications, a Japanese website has posted images of a next-generation iPad Air dummy unit with Touch ID...

PayPal integrating Touch ID into its iOS app

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 5, 2014

A year ago, PayPal CISO Michael Barrett spelled doom for existing verification methods based on passwords and expressed hope that the then unreleased iPhone 5s would kill the password once and for all. As it turned out, Apple limited the handset's fingerprint scanner to iTunes purchases and user authentication on the Lock screen.

But with the iOS 8 SDK now official, Apple has opened up Touch ID to developers and PayPal is first out of the gate with the official confirmation that it is working on integrating Touch ID authentication into its mobile apps...