Overview
- Instant Digital, posting Monday on Weibo, said rumors of on‑device fingerprint unlocking are false and that Apple will keep relying on iPhone-linked unlocking.
- Developer code found in August 2025 referenced “AppleMesa,” long tied to Touch ID, which indicated internal testing but did not guarantee a shipping feature.
- Reports attribute Apple’s decision to two constraints: the extra sensor adds cost and takes space that would otherwise go to the battery in a tightly packed watch.
- Coverage now points to a conservative 2026 update that prioritizes larger batteries and advanced health sensors, with major design changes not expected until 2028 at the earliest.
- For users, daily behavior stays the same as the watch unlocks with a PIN or an already unlocked iPhone and remains unlocked while it detects your wrist.