A new setting discovered in iOS allows iPhone owners to quickly and temporarily disable Touch ID.
Pressing the power button rapidly five times activates SOS Emergency mode. The purpose of this mode is to let people bypass the lock tools to make an emergency phone call. A byproduct of entering SOS Emergency mode is disabling Touch ID.
The only way to unlock the phone once Touch ID has been disabled is via the PIN or password. Because users are able to do this quickly and discreetly, it could be useful to help safeguard the iPhone in a situation when the owner might be forced to provide their fingerprint.
The feature was first spotted on Twitter and later verified by The Verge.
iOS 11 is still in beta testing. It should be rolled out the general public next month.
