With the release of the iPhone 5s, Apple developers have introduced a new Touch Id feature - a device that reads fingerprints. With it, users of apple gadgets can easily make purchases in the App Store, unlock their phones, etc. Very often on the forums you can find topics about the failed Touch Id.
In this article, we will try to figure out why Touch ID does not work on iPhone 5s/6/6s and how to fix it?
To begin with, it should be noted that if the device has become buggy after a recent update, it is most likely that you will have to roll back the system and return to the previous version of iOS.
If this method did not help you, you should resort to the following options for fixing Touch ID.
Touch ID stopped working on iPhone 6/6s/5/5s
Touch Id mechanical repair - last resort
What to do if Touch Id does not respond to any actions? In this case, if Touch ID is out of order as a result of a software failure, a hard reboot of the system should help. To do this, hold down the Home and Power keys and hold until the device reboots.
If this problem was programmatic in nature, a reboot will solve the problem. If the phone was physically affected, you will have to contact the service center, where a qualified master will be able to diagnose and, if necessary, fix the problem.
Touch ID does not work on iPhone 6 - do-it-yourself repair
If there are small malfunctions in the Touch Id device from time to time, Apple developers advise you to reconfigure, in other words, make a new fingerprint and get rid of the old one.
It is advised to do this periodically so that the fingerprint data in the device is fresh, because. human skin on the hands is constantly exposed to various factors, and therefore the print may change slightly.
In order to make a new fingerprint, you need to go to "Settings", then select "Touch Id and password". Remove old prints. After that, click "Add fingerprint" and perform the necessary actions in accordance with the instructions.
Touch ID stopped working in App Store on iPhone 5s/6/6s/5
Basically, the cause of this problem is also slightly modified fingerprints, as a result of which the system cannot recognize them, but sometimes there are cases when the problem lies in incorrectly installed software.
The forums also complain about a crash when the App Store does not see the Touch Id. How to fix it?
- We go into the Settings of the gadget and look for "Touch Id and password";
- We find the section "Using Touch Id" and disable "App Store, iTunes Store";
- Reboot the iOS device;
- We return to the Touch Id settings and turn on "App Store, iTunes Store".
After these steps, there should be no problem.
iPhone 6 problems. Touch ID does not work in winter, in the cold
There are many complaints about the poor performance of Touch Id during the cold season. It is very simple to explain the cause of this problem - as a result of the cold, our fingerprint is slightly modified, which is why the system cannot recognize it.
In solving this problem, you can often update the print or create a "cold" print. Scan your fingerprint while out in the cold. However, it is believed that these methods help only partly, however, if there is an urgent need for this function in the cold, it is worth a try.
Due to exposure to water and dirt, Touch Id does not work on iPhone 6/6s/5s/5
After updating iOS, unable to complete or complete Touch ID setup? This guide has compiled the most common Touch ID problems and solutions to help you.
If you started having problems with Touch ID immediately after updating to a new version of iOS, you may need to roll back it. Until you have a chance or stay with the problem, until the release of the next update. We have seen bugs appear in some iOS updates, and subsequent ones fix it.
Although it may seem like a problem with Touch ID, there is a reason why your iPhone asks for a passcode more often after an update. If you haven't used your passcode for six days, and haven't entered Touch ID to unlock your phone for eight hours, you'll need to enter your passcode. This is an Apple policy and is in place for your safety.
How to fix unable to activate Touch ID on iPhone?
Whether your Touch ID settings are initially incorrect or you find it becomes unreliable over time, there are all sorts of reasons why Touch ID on an iPhone or iPad might not be able to recognize your fingerprint like it used to or like it should. . Sometimes in such cases it is best to start over.
Unlock your iPhone or iPad and set up Touch ID again to fix most bugs. Before doing this, make sure there is no dirt or sweat on the Touch ID sensor, and dry your hands.
Step 1: Settings → Scroll down and tap Touch ID & Passcode.
Step 2. Then enter your passcode and turn off "iPhone Unlock" and "iTunes and App Store" features.
Step 3. Press the Home button to return to the home screen, and then restart your iPhone by pressing the Power button.
Step 4: Settings → Scroll down and tap Touch ID & Passcode. Enter your password.
Step 5: Turn on "Unlock iPhone" and "iTunes & App Store" features.
If you failed to complete the Touch iD setup with the above method, turn on the "Open with a finger" function. To do this, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Go to Settings → General.
Step 2. Click "Accessibility".
Step 3. Select "Home". 
Step 4. Turn on "Open with a finger."
After that, restart your phone and check if the “Unable to complete Touch ID setup” error is fixed.
Recalibrating the Touch ID sensor
The easiest way to fix Touch ID errors is to regenerate your fingerprint on your iPhone. Over the past year, iOS updates have done a great job of fixing most Touch ID errors including "Can't complete Touch ID setup" and there are general performance improvements on iOS 8 and up.
This may help if your fingerprints have changed slightly over the past few months due to wear and tear, dry skin, etc. To do this, you need to follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Launch the Settings app and open Touch ID & Passcode, enter your passcode when prompted.
Step 2: Select the fingerprint you are having trouble with, then click the Delete Fingerprint button.
Step 3. Click the "Add Fingerprint..." button to start rescanning the removed finger. 
Step 4. Place your finger on the Touch ID sensor in different ways - from right to left, from top to bottom, and from side to side until the fingerprint icon is completely colored.
Step 5. When asked to adjust the grip, scan the edges of that finger until the fingerprint icon is fully colored.
Note: Scan the front, back, and sides of this finger in the way you think you would use it to unlock if you don't have the best grip.
Step 6. Click the "Continue" button when the process is complete to save the fingerprint. 
Lock your device and make sure the fingerprint works; congratulations if everything worked out! If not, reboot your device following the instructions below and check if the issue is resolved.
Forced device restart
The next option is a forced reboot. Hold down the Power and Home buttons at the same time for about 10 seconds and release when you see the Apple logo. These instructions are for iPhone 6 and previous models.
For owners of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, you need to hold down the "Power" and "Volume Down" buttons, and for new iPhone X phones. First, press the volume up, then the volume down and hold the "Power" button for 10 seconds. The rest of the process is the same.
After the reboot, your fingerprint should work fine.
If, after following these steps to recalibrate Touch ID, you still cannot unlock your iOS device with your fingerprint, there may be something else besides iOS errors. Take these troubleshooting steps:
Wipe the Touch ID sensor with a microfiber cloth to remove oily fingerprints and dirt.
Use another finger; maybe the finger you're trying to use doesn't have a distinct fingerprint.
Note: According to reviews, many iPhone owners have encountered the “cannot complete Touch iD setup” problem. Official Apple support says it's a hardware issue and either the home button (or screen + home button) should be replaced, or the entire phone should be replaced.
Conclusion
If the Touch ID issue continues to plague your device, you should either wait for the next iOS update or contact Apple for help. Also, if your iPhone is still under warranty, contact an official Apple service.
Touch ID fingerprint sensor on a fairly recent iPhone does not always work when touched and you have to constantly access the password? If you are faced with a similar problem, then in this article we will tell you how to fix it.
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Everyone knows that after buying a new iPhone, you need to complete the activation procedure and the initial setup of the device, which includes setting up the Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the Home button. The user is asked to add a fingerprint with which the iPhone can be unlocked.
From our many years of observation of users setting up a new iPhone, we can say with confidence that adding a fingerprint to Touch ID during the initial device setup is often very fast and not always with an understanding of the process. Most users hold their iPhone differently than during normal use when setting up a biometric sensor. Therein lies the whole secret.
In addition, after setting up an iPhone for the first time, few people go back to the Touch ID options (in iOS settings) to continue the process of improving sensor performance. As a result, users continue to use the single fingerprint that was recorded in Touch ID when they first set up the iPhone. But in the sensor parameters, you can add as many as 5 prints. So…
Touch ID does not work well on iPhone: how to properly set up the fingerprint sensor on iPhone or iPad
1 . Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and go to Touch ID & Passcode.
2 . Enter your passcode.
3 . Delete any added fingerprints. To do this, select each fingerprint and click Delete fingerprint.
4 . Click Add fingerprint.
5 . Grab your iPhone or iPad the way you would normally hold your device before unlocking.
6 . Go through the process of adding all five fingerprints in this way:
- add fingerprint twice Right thumb;
- add fingerprint twice Left thumb;
- add fingerprint once Index finger of the right hand(if you are right handed) or left handed (if you are left handed).
The meaning of this operation is to add more fingerprints to the most used unlock option. 
The scheme proposed by us can be changed if desired. For example, if you always unlock the device with one hand, then it will not be superfluous to add 3, 4, or even all 5 possible fingerprints to the Thumb.
Try it right now. In the vast majority of cases, this will solve the problem of poor Touch ID performance.
If the sensor still does not respond well after completing the fingerprint addition procedure, try rebooting the device. If the reboot did not help, then there are two options left - either you are the owner of hands with an abnormal structure of fingerprints (we have met such users) or the problem is still in the Touch ID sensor itself.
Touch ID is a unique fingerprint reader technology. It is equipped with such versions of mobile gadgets from Apple as iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. According to the manufacturer, this technology is more advanced in the models of the sixth line. However, on the forums, many users often complain that Touch ID is a rather poorly functioning element in both the first and second versions.
The idea behind Touch ID is certainly a good one. And not only in terms of marketing, but also for practical use. With the help of Touch ID, the owner of an iPhone can unlock his device, enter the "accounts" of some programs on the network, and make payments using Apple Pay. But this is in the event that the technology functions smoothly, which is far from always the case. As in any electronic mechanism, Touch ID sometimes also has problems. How to deal with them? Let's figure it out.
Firstly, if problems were discovered after a recent firmware upgrade to version 9 (or more recent versions of iOS), a downgrade may be required. This term refers to the rollback of the system to a previous version. But if the problems are not so significant, the best solution is to wait for the next update.
All other problems are often caused by misunderstandings that do not imply anything serious. Therefore, the user can solve most of them on his own, without contacting a repair shop. Moreover, there are not so many such problems, and the ways to solve them have long been known. In this article, we will look at each problem and how to solve it in detail.
It often happens that the fingerprint does not work on the iPhone 6 or iPhone 5S. If the system fails, experts recommend doing a simple reconfiguration. In other words, you need to re-train the gadget to recognize the fingerprint. When the first scanners appeared, Apple took care of the annual software update for them. This is done so that the devices remember the fingers of their owners as best as possible.
Significant optimization in this area was carried out in the "OS" of the eighth version. But as the practical experience of many users has shown, if the print is not regularly refreshed, after about a month Touch ID will start to fail. The reasons for this are usually the most banal, but basically they are cosmetic in nature (the print is worn out, dry skin of the finger, and similar misunderstandings).
Given the above, with Touch ID glitches on the iPhone 5S, you need to update the fingerprint in the gadget's memory. But before the procedure, it is necessary to wipe the display surface well and wash your hands. Then you should go to the iPhone settings, and after that - to the Touch ID password section. In this case, an earlier print must be deleted through a swipe, moving across the display from the right side to the left. After this action, you need to click on the button for adding a fingerprint and again carry out the usual operation to enter a fingerprint, in accordance with the instructions.
Touch ID doesn't work in the App Store
This, like the previous described problem, occurs quite often. And this is usually due to the fact that the scanner does not interact with the App Store. As before, the reason most often lies in cosmetic factors. But sometimes the problem occurs due to iPhone 5S software malfunctions. Many users note that gadgets based on the "OS" of the eighth version, or rather, the Touch ID technology in them, do not work in this store.
To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
- Click on the settings section, and then on the item Touch ID and password.
- Go to the technology usage section and disable the App Store.
- Reboot the device system.
- Return to original settings, enable the App Store.
After all the actions performed, the Touch ID bug in the store should be removed automatically. Let us also remind you that if the user has not made purchases in the store during the day, the system will ask for a password when entering it again.
Fingerprint scanner doesn't work at all
It happens that the scanner itself fails, that is, it simply breaks. Although this happens very rarely.
The complete inoperability of the technology after the update can signal a breakdown. In this case, you can try "Hard Reset", having done the backup procedure before that.
But if it's a problem with the iPhone 5S software, a hard reset usually solves the problem 100%. Otherwise, the user will have to turn to repair, since it is impossible to do without a competent diagnosis of the device.
Touch ID stops working at low temperatures
According to statistics, glitches in the operation of technology in winter or in cold conditions happen much more often. As always, the explanation for this phenomenon is simple. It's all about the changes in the papillary pattern of the fingers, which changes with changing weather conditions. Of course, it is not possible to determine such changes by eye. But smart Touch ID immediately detects them and crashes.
As you might have guessed, this whole thing is also treated by updating the imprint. But here you can make everything even easier. It is enough to execute and save your "winter" imprint in the device's memory. To do this, you need to do the procedure as soon as you come from the street, and your fingers are still cold. Although, this is not a guarantee of a successful solution to the problem. According to iPhone owners, the above methods do not always cope with the situation.
If the scanner does not work in muddy or damp conditions
There is no need to go into lengthy explanations here. Obviously, moisture and dirt prevent the system from scanning the fingerprint. We are talking about the presence of dirt or moisture not only on the finger itself, but also on the surface of the scanner. Therefore, before the operation, you need to wash and dry your hands well and carefully wipe the scanner with a dry cloth.
But one important point should be remembered: you do not need to keep your hands in water for a long time when washing, as this will swell the skin and the papillary pattern will change dramatically.
However, Apple guarantees fans of its products that in the new gadgets of the sixth line marked S, Touch ID works more efficiently with wet surfaces. But at the same time, developers still do not recommend using the scanner when your hands are wet.
Breakdowns after repair: causes
In simple words, during the repair process of the device, the cable between Touch ID and the telephone board may be damaged. This leads to the fact that the system is no longer able to determine the authenticity of the fingerprint. And after that, the gadget deactivates the biometric sensor. In such a situation, the replacement of individual elements in order to improve the operation of the technology is impossible. The IDs between the Secure Enclave and the third party sensor simply won't match.
If the cable is completely damaged, then its restoration is an impossible task. The fact is that it includes ten tracks, consisting of several layers. And the thickness of each track is a tenth of a millimeter.
The situation is different with the elements of the Home button that regulate the process of registering a click. Replacement is a simple matter. However, unlocking the device from now on will be available exclusively through a password. It is easy to identify a broken Touch ID through the settings. To do this, you need to carefully consider the menu for adding new fingerprints. It should be gray if there are any faults.
The only way to get a properly functioning sensor based on fingerprint technology is to use elements of another device. This means that you will need to install a new board and a Home button. However, this repair will be very expensive for the user. In such a situation, it is advisable to purchase a new iPhone. Of course, if Touch ID technology is very important for the user.
Touch ID is one of the most useful features of iPhones and other smartphones that have this advantage. It not only protects your phone and its data from prying eyes, but also serves as a key for purchases in the App Store and the Apple Pay payment system. The scanner also protects third-party applications, such as Sberbank Online. However, like any technical innovation, it does not work flawlessly on all devices. In this article, we will figure out what to do if Touch ID on iPhone is not working.
What is TouchID
First, let's take a look at what the said fingerprint scanner is. Touch ID, called one of the important features of the iPhone, first appeared on the iPhone 5s; later models without exception are equipped with this option. The scanner is built into the main operating button Home. Its device with a thickness of only 170 microns (that's twice as thin as a human hair!) is able to quickly analyze the subepithelial layer of the skin of the finger of a person who touched the button using a 500 ppi print image. Not surprisingly, such a thin system can often "act up", which is why the fingerprint on the iPhone 5s does not work.
One of the features of Touch ID is that it can be "trained", configured, and also stored in memory up to 5 fingerprints (both one person and several), each of which will be the key to your device and individual applications in it.
Proper Touch ID setup
Sometimes the iPhone 5s fingerprint scanner does not work well due to incorrect initial setup. Therefore, at the beginning of using your new "smart", you should set up Touch ID, following Apple's recommendations:
- Before setting up the sensor, enter the password for the device (4-6 digits, depending on the OS version). It is he who will help you unlock the device if the scanner suddenly goes haywire.
- Make sure the home button as well as your hands are clean and dry.
- Go to settings under the "gear" icon, select "Touch ID and password". Enter the code from item 1.
- Click on "Add Fingerprint". After that, touch (don't press hard - just a light touch) the Home button. At the same time, it is important to naturally hold the device, position your finger in the way that is most convenient for you.
- After touching the button, hold your finger until it vibrates slightly or until the text appears on the screen: "Lift your finger and place it several times on the Home key.
- After the appearance of this command, apply your finger, slightly changing its location.
- Next, the device will offer to enter a capture convenient for you into its memory. Here you should hold the phone in your hand in the way that it will be convenient for you to place it in your hand when unlocking the device. At this point, to "Home" you no longer apply the center of the fingertip, but its edges.
- After you have memorized the fingerprint of one finger, you can repeat the procedure for others. For greater reliability of the scanner, there should be up to three of your fingerprints in the iPhone's memory.
"Workout" Touch ID
If you are faced with the fact that the fingerprint does not work well on the iPhone 5s, then try to "practice" your Touch ID. To do this, go to "Settings", "Tooch ID and password", enter the desired code. Then touch the scanner with the fingertip stored in its memory. At this time, the name of her fingerprint on the screen will turn gray.
Start "training" your scanner - keep touching "Home" with your finger in various positions. These manipulations will help increase the speed of both scanning and fingerprint recognition. To achieve the best result, repeat the mentioned algorithm of actions several times.
Non-working fingerprint scanner: universal ways to fix the problem
If you are faced with the fact that the fingerprint has stopped working on the iPhone 5s, then we will offer you the most likely causes of the malfunction and how to fix them:
- First of all, check that the scanner is turned on and configured in accordance with the algorithm from the second subheading. In the "Settings" section "Touch ID and password", the sliders opposite unlock, App Store, iTunes Store, Apple Pay must be active, and at least one finger must be stored in the "Fingerprints" tab.
- Try entering one or more other fingerprints. Please note that each of them can be assigned its own name.
- The reason that the fingerprint does not work on the iPhone 5s may be the condition of your hands. If you just came from a frost, were in the water for a long time, applied a greasy cream, or there are minor damages on the pads of your fingers (microcracks, scratches), then this may cause the iPhone to not recognize your fingerprint correctly.
- Clean the home key with a dry paper or cloth napkin. Along its circumference, a dirt ring, invisible to the eye, sometimes accumulates, which reduces the working diameter of the key and makes it difficult for the scanner to work.
Now let's move on to more specific cases of faults.
Touch ID doesn't work in cold weather
If the fingerprint scanner on your iPhone 5s does not work in the cold, then the following life hack is for your attention:
- To carry out further manipulations, again find yourself in cold conditions and go to the "Touch ID and password" tab located in the "Settings".
- Click on "Add New Fingerprint". Your hands should be cold by now.
- According to the scheme indicated in the second subheading, add the fingerprint of your frozen finger to the device’s memory.
- Even if this manipulation did not help, then one thing remains - to unlock the phone using a digital password.
Issues after update
The vast majority of users complain that the fingerprint on the iPhone 5s does not work exactly after they updated iOS to the current version. The most effective "lazy" way here is to wait for the next "update", in which this bug will be fixed. But if you need a properly functioning scanner on the Home button, then try to fix the problem in these ways:
- Close all running programs and perform a Soft Reset (simultaneously holding the Home and Power keys for 10 seconds). It would be useful to clean the scanner itself and the fingertips with a napkin. Go to "Settings" "Touch ID and password" and delete all existing fingerprints (swipe left or click on their name, then - "Delete fingerprint"). Next, select "Add new fingerprint" and refer to the detailed algorithm described above in the settings.
- If the previous method did not help, then you will have to completely flash the device. Before the operation, be sure to save backup copies of the information available on the iPhone in a safe place. On your PC or laptop, iTunes must be downloaded and authorized using your iPhone's Apple ID. Turn off Find My iPhone. Next, connect the phone via a USB cable to the "big brother". If the PC OS is Windows, then during this manipulation, hold down the Shift button on the keyboard, if the Mac is the Alt / Option key. Next, select "Restore", indicating the downloaded firmware.
Touch ID failure
The fingerprint on the iPhone 5s may not work as a result of a scanner failure - you will see such a message on the screen after several futile attempts to unlock the device using Touch ID. The reasons for it can be different: slight wear of the device itself, conditions that make it difficult to scan the fingertip, etc. Prevention of this problem, according to many users, is the monthly update of the prints recorded in the memory. The latter must be completely removed and new ones added through "Add fingerprint".
The way to solve the problem is traditional: clean the "Home" button, the fingertips, delete the old "fingers" from the memory and add new ones using the standard procedure.
Problems with the App Store
Another problem to be solved is the scanner malfunction when using it in the App Store. In this store, Touch ID is actually the key to download new apps. In this case, you can "fix" the fingerprint scanner like this:
- Go to the "Touch ID and password" section in "Settings".
- Opposite "App Store, iTunes Store" make the slider inactive.
- Reboot your device.
- Return to step 1, activate the slider responsible for "App Store, iTunes Store".
Touch ID scanner broken
Failure of the Touch ID system itself is an infrequent phenomenon, but still possible. In this case, the only solution to the problem is to replace the iPhone 5s fingerprint scanner. To prevent yourself from making a mistake, delete all fingerprints and restart your iPhone. Re-add your fingerprint to "Touch ID & Password". If unsuccessful, repeat the procedure a couple more times. If after that the scanner remains blind and deaf to your prints, then only qualified diagnostics and, possibly, repair at an Apple service center will help it.
As you can see, the fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 5s does not work or functions poorly as a result of a variety of reasons. You can easily and quickly solve most problems on your own - a visit to specialists is required only if the scanner breaks down - to replace it. For proper and long-term functioning, it is also important to correctly configure Touch ID.
