So How Does The Fingerprint Scanner On The 5S Really Work?

Biometrics security is found on many devices, such as security systems and key locks, laptop computers and now smartphones. The iPhone 5S has a fingerprint scanner integrated into the home button, so it’s worked into the existing iPhone design.

Extra security may mean the difference between all of your personal data becoming compromised and holding on to your smartphones. According to Plateau, cellphone theft amounts $7 million in losses every day, preventative measures are becoming more urgent.

The Technology

Tech Radar has taken an indepth look at the 5S, including the Touch ID, which is the official name for the 5S fingerprint scanner. It works by using a capacitive sensor with 500 ppi resolution. Instead of simply taking a picture of your fingerprint and comparing it to its database, which is how optical based biometric scanners work, a capacitive sensor scans the subdermal layer behind your dermis. It then creates an image based on the conductive layer of skin versus the non-conductive layer.

It’s more convenient than a pass code, and since it’s integrated into the Home button you’re going to be touching the scanner to get into your smartphone anyway. Particularly demented thieves won’t be able to use forge prints, as capacitive sensors require a live fingerprint. This also works with iTunes, making it easy to quickly access your account without constantly having to enter in your password. This data is stored on the A7 ship as opposed to the phone’s hard drive, adding an additional layer of security to the biometric scanner. If you really want to keep your iPhone safe, you want to use additional security measures, but for casual day-to-day use on a phone that doesn’t hold state secrets, this is a powerful bit of security. The technology is exciting for the future as well, as it is likely to be integrated on iPads and other Apple devices.

The Benefits

The main benefit is to give you an added level of security in a very intuitive and unobtrusive way. You don’t have to go through a pass code over and over again, you simply need to touch your finger to the button it’s going to touch anyway. The technology gives you a great way of ensuring that the picture is accurate, and you are also not going to have to worry about data loss in many cases. When you combine this with anti-theft software or other security measures, you have a phone that is reasonably secured against most standard theft practices. That really cuts down on your worry associated with toting around an iPhone.