When you first set up your MacBook or Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, macOS prompts you to scan a single fingerprint to unlock the device, authorise Apple Pay purchases, and auto-fill passwords. While scanning your right index finger is the most common choice, relying on just one finger can quickly become inconvenient.
If you are holding a coffee mug, typing with your non-dominant hand, or share the computer with a spouse or colleague, having to awkwardly reach across the keyboard with a specific finger is frustrating. Fortunately, macOS allows you to register multiple fingerprints, turning Touch ID into a much more versatile tool.
This guide explains how to add a second (or third) fingerprint to Touch ID on your Mac, and how to manage the fingerprints you have already saved.
How to Add Another Fingerprint to Touch ID
You can add up to three fingerprints per user account on your Mac (or a total of five fingerprints across all user accounts combined).
- Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions of macOS).
- In the left sidebar, scroll down and click on Touch ID & Password.
- In the main window, you will see a section labeled “Touch ID” displaying your currently registered fingerprints (e.g., Finger 1). Click the Add Fingerprint button.
- macOS will prompt you to enter your Mac’s administrator password to authorise this security change. Type your password and press Enter.
- Rest the new finger you want to register on the Touch ID sensor. Do not press the button down; just let your finger rest on the surface.
- Lift and rest your finger repeatedly as instructed by the on-screen animation. Be sure to slightly adjust the angle of your finger each time to capture the edges of your print.
- When the scan is complete, click Done.
Your new fingerprint will immediately work for unlocking the Mac, authorising Apple Pay, and auto-filling passwords.
How to Identify Which Finger is Which
By default, macOS names your fingerprints generically (“Finger 1,” “Finger 2”). If you have multiple fingerprints registered and want to delete a specific one, it can be difficult to know which one to choose.
macOS includes a hidden trick to identify them:
- Open the Touch ID & Password settings menu.
- Rest any of your registered fingers on the Touch ID sensor.
- The corresponding fingerprint icon on the screen will briefly flash grey, instantly identifying which saved profile matches the finger you are using.
How to Rename or Delete a Saved Fingerprint
To keep your security settings organised, you should rename your fingerprints so you know exactly whose they are, especially if you share the Mac.
To rename a fingerprint: Simply click on the text label (e.g., “Finger 1”) beneath the fingerprint icon. The text will become editable. Type a descriptive name, such as “Left Index” or “Sarah’s Thumb,” and press Enter.
To delete a fingerprint: Hover your mouse cursor over the fingerprint icon you want to remove. A small “X” will appear in the top-left corner of the icon. Click the “X”, enter your Mac administrator password to confirm, and the fingerprint will be permanently deleted from the Secure Enclave.
By adding multiple fingerprints, you can make logging into your Mac significantly more seamless, regardless of how you are sitting or which hand you are using.