Apple Reportedly Exploring Touch ID for Future Apple Watch Models

Apple could be preparing to bring Touch ID to its smartwatch. A new report, based on internal developer code, suggests the company is testing ways to add a fingerprint scanner to future Apple Watch models. The feature isn’t ready yet. At the earliest, it would appear in 2026—most likely with the Apple Watch Ultra 4. The code found includes references to “AppleMesa,” a name Apple has long used for Touch ID. That detail makes the rumor harder to ignore.

The obvious question: where would a fingerprint sensor even go on a watch? There are two realistic options. First, Apple could embed it in the display, similar to in-screen sensors already common in Android phones. Second, it might end up in the side button or Digital Crown, which would make sense for a device this small.

These possibilities aren’t new. Touch ID on the Watch has been rumored before. What’s different this time is the discovery of internal code pointing to active development.

Even with those signs, the feature is still a prototype. Nothing coming out this year will include it. Apple often tests hardware that never makes it past the lab, so there’s no guarantee Touch ID will actually ship. Still, the timing feels right. Other leaks suggest the Apple Watch is due for a major redesign in 2026, along with a new processor. A fingerprint sensor could easily be part of that refresh.

Touch ID would do more than just unlock the Watch. It could speed up Apple Pay, add security for health data, and even unlock paired devices. Face ID isn’t realistic on such a small display, so fingerprints might be Apple’s best option.

That said, the current passcode system works well enough. Many users may not feel they need another layer of security. For them, it could feel like an upgrade they didn’t ask for.

And that’s the tension here. Touch ID could make the Watch feel smarter and more secure—or it might end up as an extra feature most people ignore.