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Does TouchID work in the dark?

M

matttye

macrumors 601
Original poster
Mar 25, 2009
4,957
32
Lincoln, England
I searched but couldn't find an answer to this question.

Apparently the Atrix's scanner didn't work in the dark, so just wondering if the 5s' does.
 
Of course it works in the dark, but not underwater, hey wait...nothing is working now, crap
 
From my understanding, TouchID uses a capacitive sensor. So when Apple says that is takes a photo of your fingerprint, it's not a photo in the traditional sense.

Capacitive sensors don't rely on light so you can scan away in the dark. This could be a new market for Apple... you know... cats, owls... other night prowlers.

;)
 
matttye said:
I searched but couldn't find an answer to this question.

Apparently the Atrix's scanner didn't work in the dark, so just wondering if the 5s' does.
Click to expand...

I had an Atrix and it worked fine in the dark. I think the Atrix scanner was similar to the scanner on my HP laptop, and yes it works in the dark also.

By the way, the scanning software on the HP Laptop was created by the same company that apple acquired to create the scanner or software for the iPhone 5s. It's junk and often does not work right, but I guess they got it right for the iPhone.
 
jamets515 said:
From my understanding, TouchID uses a capacitive sensor. So when Apple says that is takes a photo of your fingerprint, it's not a photo in the traditional sense.

Capacitive sensors don't rely on light so you can scan away in the dark. This could be a new market for Apple... you know... cats, owls... other night prowlers.

;)
Click to expand...

yep from apple themselves

Touch ID does not store any images of your fingerprint. It stores only a mathematical representation of your fingerprint. It isn't possible for your actual fingerprint image to be reverse-engineered from this mathematical representation.
Click to expand...

The link:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5949?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
 
dmystic1 said:
I had an Atrix and it worked fine in the dark. I think the Atrix scanner was similar to the scanner on my HP laptop, and yes it works in the dark also.

By the way, the scanning software on the HP Laptop was created by the same company that apple acquired to create the scanner or software for the iPhone 5s. It's junk and often does not work right, but I guess they got it right for the iPhone.
Click to expand...

I believe they are the same company that made the sensor for the atrix also. The way I see it is that the atrix was the beta phone for touch sensors and with all the money Apple paid + patents and engineers they got it right this time. :)
 
An interesting question...I didn't even think of it...but yes it works perfectly in the dark...I guess I never thought about it, because when you put your finger on the sensor you are blocking all outside light anyway, so it shouldn't matter.
 
All u had to do is walk into the closet and try it. Really. Won't blow up, promise!
 
matttye said:
If I had a 5s I would've done!
Click to expand...

What, u still in line and hasn't got into the store after 2 days? :D

Scanner doesn't work in the dark just doesn't make sense. What does it needs outside light for? if anything it generates its own light like a photocopier.
 
Seriously?

This is a dumb question.... why wouldn't it work in the dark? The reason you couldn't find an answer is because it's common sense
 
even in light what do you think happens when you cover something? it gets dark behind what you are covering. so yes it will work in the dark...
 
leftywamumonkey said:
Does TouchID work with sweaty fingers?

Edit: This is a legitimate concern for me.
Click to expand...

Apple has already fessed up to some issues with Touch ID. They told the Wall Street Journal that sweaty, greasy, or wet fingers were probably not going to work. "It also has trouble reading some fingers, the spokesman said, possibly including ones scarred by accidents or surgery," wrote the WSJ.
Click to expand...

So I don't think so.
 
I wonder if I can program my cat's paw into it, so he can unlock my phone.

That would be hilarious and adorable at the same time. :)
 
cpzahner said:
This is a dumb question.... why wouldn't it work in the dark? The reason you couldn't find an answer is because it's common sense
Click to expand...

I don't think it's dumb at all.
Apple talked about taking a "high-resolution image".
They talked about a "sapphire crystal lens".
These are all terms that imply a light-based capture system.
Good on them that it isn't but it certainly wasn't obvious from anything described by Apple.

----------
zorinlynx said:
I wonder if I can program my cat's paw into it, so he can unlock my phone.

That would be hilarious and adorable at the same time. :)
Click to expand...

Already been done.
:)
 
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