Methods and apparatuses are provided for user authentication using a device with a touch screen display. In one embodiment, a method of user authentication using a device with a touch screen display includes providing a user defined area to unlock the device, detecting a leakage current corresponding to changes of light conditions on the user defined area by one or more light sensors of the touch screen display, capturing one or more fingerprints or a palm print of the user based on the changes of light conditions in the user defined area by the one or more light sensors of the touch screen display, authenticating the one or more fingerprints or the palm print of the user, and providing access to the device in response to a positive authentication of the one or more fingerprints or the palm print of the user.