Which iPads Have Touch ID?

Touch ID is a feature on certain iPad models that enables fingerprint recognition for secure authentication. You can register multiple fingerprints on the iPad, so more than one person can unlock it. This feature can also be disabled by choice.

Touch ID is either located on the device’s home button or on the iPad’s power button.

In this article, I want to list down all the iPads with Touch ID(home button and power button). Explain how it works and how to set it up, and provide a troubleshooting guide.

List Of iPads with Touch IDs

List of all iPads in chronological order that have touch IDs:

iPad Model:Release DateTouch ID? 
iPad Mini 3October, 2014Yes
iPad Air 2 November, 2014Yes
iPad Mini 4September, 2015Yes
iPad Pro 9.7March, 2016Yes
iPad (5th Generation)March, 2017Yes
iPad Pro 10.5 & 12.9June, 2017Yes
iPad (6th Generation) March, 2018Yes
iPad Mini (5th Generation)March, 2019Yes
iPad Air (3rd generation)March, 2019Yes
iPad (7th Generation)September, 2019Yes
iPad (8th Generation)September, 2020Yes
iPad Air (4th generation)November, 2020Yes
iPad Mini (6th Generation)September, 2021Yes
iPad (9th Generation)September, 2021Yes
iPad Air (5th generation)March, 2022Yes
iPad (10th Generation)October, 2022Yes
iPad Air (6th generation)May, 2024Yes
iPad Air 13-inch (1st generation)May, 2024Yes

Which iPads Have Touch ID on the Power Button?

Apple started to remove the home button from iPads, and with that, they had to relocate the Touch ID as well and they put it on the power button.

These are the iPad models that have Touch ID on power buttons:

iPad Model:Release Date:Touch ID on power button:
iPad Air (4th generation)November, 2020Yes
iPad Mini (6th Generation)September, 2021Yes
iPad Air (5th generation)March, 2022Yes
iPad (10th Generation)October, 2022Yes
iPad Air (6th generation)May, 2024Yes
iPad Air 13-inch (1st generation)May, 2024Yes

iPad Air 4th gen was the first iPad ever that had Touch ID featured on the power button. It was released in November 2020. It was also the first iPad Air without a home button.

What is Touch ID in iPads and How Does It Work?

Touch ID is a biometric authentication feature found on certain iPad models. It uses a fingerprint sensor built into the device’s Home button (or, in some cases, the Power button on newer models like the iPad Air 4th generation and iPad mini 6th generation) to securely unlock the iPad and authorize purchases or app installations. Here’s how Touch ID works:

  1. Fingerprint Enrollment: To set up Touch ID, users must first enroll one or more fingerprints by going to the iPad’s Settings app, selecting Touch ID & Passcode, and following the on-screen prompts to place their finger on the sensor multiple times. This process captures a detailed image of the fingerprint and creates a mathematical representation (a template) stored securely on the device.
  2. Fingerprint Verification: Once enrolled, Touch ID allows users to unlock their iPad by simply resting their enrolled finger on the Home button (or Power button). The sensor reads the fingerprint and compares it against the stored templates. If there’s a match, the iPad unlocks almost instantly.
  3. Secure Authentication: Beyond unlocking the device, Touch ID can also be used to authenticate purchases from the App Store, iTunes Store, and other apps that support Apple’s biometric authentication. It provides a secure and convenient way to confirm transactions without entering a password.
  4. Security and Privacy: All fingerprint data is encrypted and stored locally on the iPad’s Secure Enclave, a dedicated coprocessor designed to protect sensitive information. This ensures that biometric data remains secure and cannot be accessed by apps or transmitted over the internet.

Is It Secure?

Touch ID is secure, and you shouldn’t be worried about people being able to log in to your iPad. However, this method of biometric authentication is still subject to targeted attacks. For instance, someone can extract your fingerprint from another surface and use it to unlock your iPad.

This of course, is highly unlikely, but we do leave fingerprints on everything we touch.

How To Set Up Touch ID On iPad

Setting up Touch ID on an iPad is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Open Settings: Start by unlocking your iPad and opening the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Touch ID & Passcode: In the Settings menu, scroll down and tap on “Touch ID & Passcode.”
  3. Enter Passcode: If prompted, enter your current passcode to proceed.
  4. Enroll Fingerprint:
    • Tap on “Add a Fingerprint.”
    • Follow the on-screen instructions to place your finger on the Home button (or Power button on newer models) and lift it repeatedly until the fingerprint is fully captured.
    • Adjust your grip to capture different angles of your fingerprint.
  5. Complete Setup:
    • Once the fingerprint is successfully enrolled, you may be prompted to name the fingerprint (optional).
    • Tap “Continue” or “Done” to complete the setup process.
  6. Additional Fingers (Optional):
    • If desired, you can repeat the enrollment process to add more fingerprints by tapping on “Add a Fingerprint” again.
  7. Enable Touch ID for Use:
    • To enable Touch ID for unlocking your iPad, ensure the “iPhone Unlock” toggle (or “iPad Unlock” on iPad) is switched on under the “Use Touch ID For” section.
  8. Use Touch ID:
    • After setup is complete, you can use Touch ID to unlock your iPad and authenticate App Store purchases and other supported actions by resting your enrolled finger on the Home button (or Power button).
how to setup touch id on ipads
step by step how to setup touch id & passcode on ipad

Note: Your setup process may vary depending on what version of iPadOS / iOS you are on. 

What To Do If Touch ID on iPad Is Not Working?

If Touch ID on your iPad is not working, you can try the following troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:

  1. Clean the Touch ID Sensor:
    • Ensure that the Touch ID sensor (Home button or Power button) and your finger are clean and dry. Use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe the sensor and your finger.
  2. Restart Your iPad:
    • Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary issues. Press and hold the Power button until “slide to power off” appears. Slide to power off, wait a few seconds, then press and hold the Power button again to restart your iPad.
  3. Update iOS:
    • Ensure your iPad is running the latest version of iOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for and install any available updates.
  4. Check Touch ID Settings:
    • Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode and make sure that Touch ID is enabled for the functions you want (e.g., iPhone Unlock, iTunes & App Store).
  5. Re-Enroll Your Fingerprints:
    • If Touch ID continues to not work, you may need to re-enroll your fingerprints. Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and then delete the existing fingerprints. Tap on “Add a Fingerprint” and follow the on-screen instructions to re-enroll your fingerprints.
  6. Reset All Settings:
    • If the issue persists, you can reset all settings on your iPad. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This will reset all settings to their default values without affecting your data.
  7. Contact Apple Support:
    • If none of the above steps resolve the issue, there may be a hardware problem with the Touch ID sensor. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for further assistance.

FAQ’s

Which Is The Latest iPad With Touch ID?

Latest iPad with Tuch ID authentication is Apple iPad Air 13/11-inch . Released in May, 2024.

What Was the First iPad With Touch ID?

The iPad Air 2, released on November, 2014, is the first iPad to feature Touch ID.

Does iPad Pro have a touch ID?

iPad Pro 10.5″ and 12.9″, released in November 2017 have touch ID. Latest iPad Pro models don’t have touch ID feature, they have a Face ID instead.

What’s The Best iPad With Touch ID?

The best iPad with Touch ID is the iPad Air (6th generation, released in 2024). This model features Touch ID integrated into the top button (Power button), offering a convenient and secure biometric authentication method.

Founder & Chief Editor | ernests@wolfoftablet.com

I'm a writer and editor in iPads & Android Tablets, Windows Tablet section. I'm passionate about technology, especially about tablets. I'm on a mission to assist people in discovering their ideal tablets. In addition, I'm dedicated to producing helpful how-to guides and sharing top-notch tips and tricks. In my early carrier I founded and became and editor at worldoftablet and have been a guest author at many other tech blogs. In wolfoftablet I'm focusing on iPads, Tablets, Apple Pencil, Apps, Reviews, Buyers Guides and Tablet Accessories. In free time I like to play games on my PS5 or iOS.