The disclosure relates to a method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for fingerprint identification. The method includes detecting a contact of an object with a fingerprint identification area of a terminal, wherein the contact of the object covers a contact area on the fingerprint identification area; acquiring characteristic information of the contact area; determining whether the contact area includes a fingerprint based on the characteristic information; performing fingerprint identification when it is determined that the contact area includes the fingerprint; and maintaining a sleep state when it is determined that the contact area does not include the fingerprint.