How to Use Touch ID for Purchases on Your Mac

  Matt Cone       January 23, 2022      Tutorials Mac Security


Newer MacBooks and Apple keyboards have a button in the top-right corner referred to as Touch ID. This feature allows you to use your fingerprint for authentication. Instead of typing a password to log in, you can press your finger on Touch ID to verify your identity.

Apple Touch ID icon

You can use Touch ID to log in to your Mac, and you can also use Touch ID to make purchases from the App Store, Apple TV, and Apple Music. Here’s how to enable Touch ID for purchases on your Mac:

  1. Make sure Touch ID is turned on.

  2. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.

  3. Click Apple ID.

  4. From the sidebar, click Media & Purchases. The window shown below appears.

    Enabling Apple Touch ID for purchases on your Mac

  5. Select the Use Touch ID for Purchases checkbox. You may be prompted to authenticate using your Apple ID.

You’ve successfully enabled Touch ID for purchases on your Mac. Now, when you try to make a purchase from the App Store, Apple TV, or Apple Music, you’ll be prompted to use Touch ID instead of your password, as shown below.

Using Touch ID to make purchases on your Mac

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