Apple Watch May Finally Add Touch ID in Future Models

Future Apple Watch models might finally ditch the PIN code and embrace biometric security with Touch ID. Fresh leaks in Apple’s internal code hint at plans for integrating fingerprint authentication into upcoming wearables.

While the feature is still unconfirmed, the references suggest Apple is at least testing it behind the scenes.

The discovery, reported by Macworld, points to code mentioning ‘AppleMesa’ – Apple’s long-standing internal codename for Touch ID. The entries are linked to models expected around 2026, sparking speculation that the company could be working on prototypes of Touch ID-enabled Apple Watches. However, no current reports suggest that the watches due in 2025 or 2026 will ship with the technology just yet.

Apple first rolled out Touch ID with the iPhone 5s back in 2013, placing the sensor in the home button. Later, the iPad Air lineup moved it to the side power button. A similar approach could be possible for the Apple Watch, which has always faced hardware constraints because of its compact size. In-display fingerprint sensors, widely used on Android devices, remain absent from Apple’s hardware portfolio, likely due to the company’s focus on Face ID for premium products.

Despite the references in leaked code, Touch ID on the Apple Watch is far from guaranteed. Development challenges or practical limitations could cause Apple to abandon the feature entirely. Still, the possibility of biometric security on the Apple Watch represents a significant step forward in usability and privacy, and it’s one Apple fans will be watching closely.