# How the iPhone's Slide-to-Unlock Gesture Works > Apple's 2011 patent describes a method for unlocking a touchscreen device by dragging a specific graphical icon from a starting point to a designated end point. - **Patent:** US 8046721 - **Original title:** Unlocking a device by performing gestures on an unlock image - **Owner:** Apple Inc - **Granted:** 2011 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 141 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, software ## What it does The patent defines a specific interaction where a user touches an 'unlock image' on a locked screen and drags it to a target area. The device tracks the user's finger contact and moves the image in real-time as the finger moves. The device only transitions to an unlocked state once the image reaches a predefined 'unlock region.' This mechanism ensures that the device does not unlock from accidental touches, as the movement must be continuous and reach a specific destination. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover unlocking via biometrics like a fingerprint or face scan. - Does not cover pattern-based unlocking where the user draws a shape across a grid of dots. - Does not cover unlocking via a simple single tap or press of a physical button. - Does not cover gestures that do not involve moving a specific graphical unlock image. ## The clever bit The innovation lies in the requirement for a continuous, guided movement of a specific UI object, which creates a clear, intentional 'handshake' between the user and the device hardware. ## Real-world examples 1. Original iPhone lock screen 2. Early iOS versions (iOS 1 through iOS 9) 3. Various Android implementations that mimicked the slide-to-unlock motion ## Why it matters This patent became a central piece of evidence in high-profile smartphone patent litigation, most notably Apple v. Samsung. It defined the standard user experience for early touch-based smartphones, moving the industry away from accidental pocket-dialing and toward intentional, gesture-based security. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How the iPhone's Slide-to-Unlock Gesture Works cover? Apple's 2011 patent describes a method for unlocking a touchscreen device by dragging a specific graphical icon from a starting point to a designated end point. ### Who owns patent US 8046721? Apple Inc owns this patent, granted in 2011. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on June 2, 2029, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 8046721 cited by? This patent has been cited by 141 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This patent became a central piece of evidence in high-profile smartphone patent litigation, most notably Apple v. Samsung. It defined the standard user experience for early touch-based smartphones, moving the industry away from accidental pocket-dialing and toward intentional, gesture-based security. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover unlocking via biometrics like a fingerprint or face scan. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8046721/unlocking-a-device-by-performing-gestures-on-an-unlock-image **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US8046721 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How the iPhone's Slide-to-Unlock Gesture Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7657849/slide-to-unlock) — Apple's 2010 patent describes unlocking a device by dragging a specific graphical image across the touchscreen along a predefined path, a gesture that became iconic with the original iPhone. - [How the iPhone's Jiggling App Icons Work](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7509588/os-x-spotlight-search) — This patent describes the 'jiggle mode' on iPhones, where app icons shake to show they can be moved or deleted. - [How Multi-Touch Gestures Like Pinch-to-Zoom Work on Smartphones](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7812826/iphone-software-keyboard) — Apple's patent on using two-finger gestures to manipulate images and objects on a touchscreen, allowing for smooth zooming and rotation even if you lift your fingers briefly. - [How Touchscreens Understand Your Finger Swipes and Scrolls](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7479949/iphone-multi-touch) — This patent describes how touchscreens use smart rules, called heuristics, to figure out if your finger movement means scrolling up, moving around a map, or flipping to the next photo, especially by looking at how you start your swipe. - [How Mobile Devices Switch Between Open Apps Using Gestures](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8291344/ios-autocorrect-keyboard) — Apple's patent describes a way to switch between open apps on a touchscreen by showing a bar of app previews and selecting one with a tap.