# What is Touch ID on iPhone?

> Touch ID is the fingerprint unlock built into the Home button on iPhone SE and iPhone 8 and earlier. Where Face ID is mentioned, these models use Touch ID.

Source: https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/glossary/touch-id/ · Updated 2026-11-01 · By VaultForYou

![What is Touch ID on iPhone illustrated on an iPhone screen](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/img/glossary--touch-id.png)

**Quick answer:** Touch ID is the fingerprint unlock built into the Home button on iPhone SE and iPhone 8 and earlier. Where Face ID is mentioned, these models use Touch ID instead.

- **Models:** iPhone 5s to iPhone 8, all iPhone SE models
- **Fallback:** Your iPhone passcode

## How it works

Settings that say Use Face ID on newer iPhones say Use Touch ID on these models. The steps are otherwise the same.

## Touch ID at a glance

| Fact | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Models | iPhone 5s to iPhone 8, all iPhone SE models |
| Fallback | Your iPhone passcode |

## Touch ID: questions

### What is Touch ID on iPhone?

Touch ID is the fingerprint unlock built into the Home button on iPhone SE and iPhone 8 and earlier. Where Face ID is mentioned, these models use Touch ID instead.

## Related guides

- [How to lock the Hidden album on iPhone](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/lock-hidden-album-iphone/)
- [Can the Hidden album have its own password?](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/guides/hidden-album-password/)

## More terms

- [App Library](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/glossary/app-library/)
- [Decoy vault](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/glossary/decoy-vault/)
- [Face ID](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/glossary/face-id/)
- [Hidden album](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/glossary/hidden-album/)
- [iCloud Photos](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/glossary/icloud-photos/)
- [Locked note](https://hiddenalbumiphone.com/glossary/locked-note/)