Unlock iOS 10 with One Click - iOS 9 Style

Restoring the Original Touch ID Unlock Experience in iOS 10

With the release of iOS 10, Apple implemented a modification to the Touch ID unlocking process. This change resulted in the display of prompts like "Press home to open" or "Press home to unlock" upon picking up the device.

For users who prefer the functionality present in iOS 9, where the phone would unlock directly with Touch ID without requiring an additional press, a method exists to revert to the previous behavior.

Understanding the Change

Previously, in iOS 9, the Touch ID sensor would automatically authenticate and unlock the iPhone when lifted. The iOS 10 update introduced a requirement for a deliberate press of the home button, even when Touch ID had already verified the user’s identity.

Reverting to the iOS 9 Unlock Method

To disable the "Press home to open" prompt and restore the original unlock experience, users can adjust their settings. This allows the device to unlock automatically with Touch ID when lifted.

The process involves navigating to the accessibility settings and modifying the home button functionality. By doing so, the phone will return to unlocking directly upon Touch ID recognition.

This adjustment provides a more seamless and familiar unlocking experience for those accustomed to the iOS 9 method.

The Evolution of Touch ID and its Changes

Related: Exploring the Best New Features in iOS 10 and Their Usage

Previously, on iOS 9 devices equipped with Touch ID fingerprint recognition, unlocking was a seamless process. A simple press of the home button would simultaneously wake the device and grant access. This involved a single action: finger to button, press, and unlock.

The introduction of iOS 10 brought significant alterations to both the lock screen experience and the unlocking mechanism. A prominent change was the removal of the traditional slide-to-unlock gesture. Earlier iOS iterations, even predating fingerprint scanning, utilized a rightward swipe for unlocking, supplemented by a passcode if enabled.

Even after Touch ID’s implementation, the swipe-to-unlock functionality persisted. However, iOS 10 redefined this interaction. A right swipe now launches the camera application, while a left swipe reveals the lock screen widgets.

Furthermore, the Touch ID unlock sequence was subtly modified. Pressing the home button still activates the screen and unlocks the device, but it no longer directly returns the user to their previous location—such as the last visited home screen page or open application.

Instead, the device unlocks and remains on the lock screen itself. Returning to the prior state necessitates an additional press of the home button, mirroring the behavior of iOS 9.

Related: Addressing Common Touch ID Issues and Troubleshooting Steps

This alteration might appear unnecessary, yet Apple’s rationale centers around enhanced security. When an iOS device is unlocked, applications gain access to encrypted data. The new iOS 10 method ensures that when the camera is accessed via a swipe, it operates with full access to the user’s photo library, rather than in a restricted mode.

This also establishes a framework for Apple to potentially integrate other applications onto the lock screen, granting them access to encrypted information. While this functionality holds promise, it currently represents the most frustrating change within iOS 10 for many users.

Consequently, reverting to the previous behavior is a desirable option.

(It’s important to note that users without Touch ID-enabled devices will experience a less impactful change—simply requiring a second press of the home button instead of a swipe. The following instructions are specifically tailored for Touch ID users.)

Reverting to the iOS 9 Touch ID Unlock Experience

Adjusting the Touch ID unlock functionality is straightforward with a simple settings modification. If you prefer the unlock method familiar from iOS 9, begin by opening the Settings application on your device.