Why doesn't my fingerprint work on my iPhone? Touch ID doesn't work well on iPhone and iPad - five ways to solve the problem

Touch ID is one of the the most useful functions iPhones and other smartphones with 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 App Store and payment system Apple Pay. The scanner also protects third party applications, for example, Sberbank Online. However, like any technical innovations, it does not function flawlessly on all devices. In this article, we will figure out what to do if Touch ID on iPhone is not working.

What is Touch ID

First, let's look at what the mentioned fingerprint scanner is. Touch ID, called one of the important functions iPhone, first appeared on the iPhone 5s; later models without exception are equipped with this option. The scanner is built into the main working Home button. His device, which is only 170 microns thick (that’s twice as thin as a human hair!) can quickly analyze the subepithelial layer of the skin of a person’s finger touching the button using a fingerprint image with a resolution of 500 ppi. It is not surprising that such a thin system can often be capricious, which is why the fingerprint on the iPhone 5s does not work.

One of Touch feature ID is that it can be “trained”, customized, and also stored in memory up to 5 fingerprints (either one person or several), each of which will be the key to your device and individual applications in it.

Setting up Touch ID correctly

Sometimes a fingerprint scanner iPhone fingers 5s does not work well due to incorrect installation initial setup. Therefore, before you start using your new “smart” device, 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 malfunctions.
Make sure the Home button and your hands are clean and dry.
Go to settings under the "gear" icon, select "Touch ID and password". Enter the code from step 1.
Click on "Add fingerprint". After that, tap (don't press hard, just lightly) the Home button. It is important to hold the device naturally and position your finger in the way that is most comfortable for you.
Once you touch the button, hold your finger until it vibrates slightly or until the text appears on the screen: “Lift your finger and place it on the Home key several times.”
After this command appears, apply your finger, slightly changing its location.
Next, the device will offer to enter a grip that is convenient for you into its memory. Here you should hold the phone in your hand in a way that will be convenient for you to position it in your hand when unlocking the device. At this point, you no longer apply the center of the fingertip to “Home”, but its edges.
Once you have stored one fingerprint in memory, you can repeat the procedure for others. For greater reliability of the scanner, the iPhone’s memory should contain up to three of your fingerprints.

"Train" Touch ID

If you are faced with the fact that the fingerprint on the iPhone 5s does not work well, then try “training” your Touch ID. To do this, go to “Settings”, “Tooch ID and password”, enter required code. Then touch the scanner with the pad of your finger 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 different positions. These manipulations will help increase the speed of both scanning and fingerprint recognition. To achieve best result repeat the mentioned algorithm of actions several times.

Fingerprint scanner not working: 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 probable reasons malfunctions and ways to eliminate 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 in the "Fingerprints" tab at least one finger must be stored in memory.
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 in from the cold, for a long time were in water, applied a greasy cream, or there are minor damages on the pads of your fingers (microcracks, scratches), then this may be the reason that the iPhone could not correctly recognize your fingerprint.
Clean the Home key with a dry paper or cloth. A ring of dirt sometimes accumulates around its circumference, invisible to the eye, which reduces the working diameter of the key and complicates the operation of the scanner.

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, find yourself again in icy conditions and go to the “Touch ID and password” tab located in “Settings”.
Click on "Add a new fingerprint". Your hands should already be cold.
According to the scheme indicated in the second subheading, add your frozen fingerprint to the device memory.
If even this manipulation did not help, then there is only one thing left to do - unlock the phone using a digital password.

Problems after update

The vast majority of users complain that the fingerprint on the iPhone 5s does not work after they updated iOS to 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 troubleshoot the problem using these methods:

Close all running programs and perform a Soft Reset (simultaneously holding down the Home and Power keys for 10 seconds). It would be a good idea to clean the scanner itself and your fingertips with a napkin. Go to the “Settings” section “Touch ID and password” and delete all existing fingerprints (swipe left or click on their name, then “Delete fingerprint”). Next, select "Add a new fingerprint" and contact detailed algorithm described above in the settings.
If the previous method did not help, then you will have to complete flashing devices. Be sure to keep it in a safe place before surgery. backups information available on the iPhone. Must be downloaded on your PC or laptop and authorized via your iPhone's Apple ID iTunes program. Disable Find My iPhone. Next, connect the phone via a USB cable to its “big brother”. If the PC OS is Windows, then during this manipulation, hold down the keyboard Shift button, if Mac - Alt/Option key. Next, select "Restore" by specifying the downloaded firmware.

Touch ID failure

The fingerprint on the iPhone 5s may not work as a result of a malfunction of the scanner - you will see this message on the screen after several futile attempts to unlock the device with using Touch ID. The reasons for this can be different: slight wear and tear on the device itself, conditions that make it difficult to scan a fingertip, etc. The prevention of this problem, according to many users, is a monthly update of the fingerprints recorded in the memory. The latter must be completely deleted and new ones must be added through “Add fingerprint”.

The way to solve the problem is traditional: clean the Home button, fingertips, remove old “fingers” from memory and standard procedure add new ones.

Problems with the App Store

Another problem that can be solved is the malfunction of the scanner when using it in the App Store. In this store, Touch ID is actually the key to downloading 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 is broken

Failure of the Touch ID system itself is rare, but still possible. In this case, the only solution to the problem is to replace the iPhone 5s fingerprint scanner. To eliminate the possibility of error, delete all fingerprints and restart your iPhone. Add your fingerprint to Touch ID & Password again. If unsuccessful, repeat the procedure a couple more times. If after this the scanner remains blind and deaf to your fingerprints, then only qualified diagnostics and, possibly, repairs will help it. service center Apple.

As you have seen, the fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 5s does not work or functions poorly for a variety of reasons. You can easily and quickly solve most problems on your own - a visit to specialists is only required if the scanner breaks down - to replace it. For proper and long-term operation, it is also important to configure Touch ID correctly.

Fingerprint sensor finger touch ID on a fairly recent iPhone does not always work when touched and you have to constantly enter the password? If you encounter a similar problem, then in this material we will tell you how to fix it.

Everyone knows that after purchasing a new iPhone, it is necessary to complete the activation procedure and 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 observations of users setting up new iPhone, we can say with confidence that adding a fingerprint to Touch ID during the initial setup of the device is often done very quickly and not always with an understanding of the process. Most users hold their iPhone differently than during normal use when setting up the biometric sensor. This is where the whole secret lies.

In addition, after the initial setup of the iPhone, few people return to the Touch ID settings (in iOS settings) to continue the process of improving sensor performance. As a result, users continue to use the only fingerprint that was recorded in Touch ID the first time setting up iPhone. But in the sensor parameters you can add as many as 5 prints. So…

Touch ID doesn't 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 . Remove any added fingerprints. To do this, select each fingerprint and click Delete fingerprint.

4 . Click Add a fingerprint.

5 . Hold your iPhone or iPad the same way you would normally hold the device before unlocking it.

6 . Go through the process of adding all five fingerprints this way:

add your fingerprint twice Right thumb;
add your fingerprint twice Left thumb;
add your fingerprint once Index finger of the right hand(if you are right-handed) or left hand (if you are left-handed).

The point of this operation is to add more fingerprints to the most used unlock option. The scheme we have proposed can be changed if desired. For example, if you always unlock the device using one hand, then it would not be superfluous to add 3, 4 or even all 5 possible fingerprints to the Thumb.

Try it now. In the vast majority of cases this will solve the problem bad work Touch ID.

If, after completing the procedure for adding fingerprints, the sensor still does not respond well, 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 anomalous fingerprint structure (we have met such users) or the problem is still in the touch sensor ID.

IN lately V news feed and in social networks there are often discussions and opinions regarding new feature fingerprint recognition called Touch ID in iPhone 5s. Basically, all discussions come down to security issues and future prospects for this method of protecting and accessing the device. For some reason, what seems to me to be a more pressing question is raised much less frequently: is it convenient to use Touch ID in everyday life?

It is clear that initially the fingerprint is stored in memory, followed by a touch, then pressing the “Home” button, and as a result, the device is unlocked. All this is very fun and interesting, but does the process really look so beautiful, simple and easy?

I think it would be quite appropriate here to give a few opinions or, if you like, observations from famous people in the world of “Apple-related” journalism, based on their personal experience.

For example, here's what John Gruber (of daringfireball.net) has to say about it:

Although, this may be technically correct, Dustin Curtis (creator of the interactive magazine svbtle.com, and part-time blogger) that in fact everything is not quite like that:

When the phone is locked, unlocking with Touch ID feels a little clunky; you must touch the sensor on the Home button with your finger, press the button and manage to release it without removing your finger from the sensor, and you must manage to do all this before Siri is activated. It works, but it feels strange.

In general, I will say this - unlocking is truly “instant”, but only if the lock screen is in an active state at that moment. It was funny to watch new owners trying to unlock the device by simply swiping or touching the sensor with their finger. It would seem that a completely simple and logical action - unlocking the iPhone - actually consists of two non-obvious ones: “waking up” by pressing the “Home” button and reading the fingerprint with the sensor. That is, an iPhone in an inactive state simply will not respond to the finger; reading occurs immediately after activating the device by pressing Home as usual.

And John Gruber is at it again:

Touch ID doesn't rely on button presses in any way, and there shouldn't be any lag... Try this: Place your finger on the Home button while your iPhone is locked. Activate iPhone button power button, not the Home button. Unlocking is instant.

What can I say: apparently, I’m somehow wrong, not one of those people who usually unlock the iPhone with both hands...

Users who have encountered a touch id malfunction know how annoying it is. But few understand why this happened and what to do next.

If touch id stops working on iPhone 6, 6s, then you need to immediately figure out the problem. Remember what happened to the gadget in recent days.

The main causes of malfunction can be the following factors:

system update;
settings failure;
sudden temperature change;
dirt or moisture on the surface of the scanner.

Important: if suddenly If 3D touch stops working on iPhone 6, 6s, then immediately contact a specialist. This breakdown requires surgical intervention.

Problems and their independent solutions

It is possible to eliminate minor problems that do not require special knowledge. Ways to solve them:

Scanner failure after updating occurs in rare cases. This is explained by the release of an unoptimized upgrade, which affects the operation of touch id. To solve the problem, you need to roll back the system to a previous working version.
Settings failure may be due to prolonged use of the same fingerprint. Do not forget that the finger changes its pattern and after a month it is recommended to give the iPhone a new trace. Reconfigure and the scanner will work.
It is not surprising if the fingerprint on the iPhone 6, 6s does not work well in the cold. And again it's a matter of changing the finger pattern. To avoid this situation, you can add additional function in the device settings.
Dirt and moisture block scanning. To restore the scanner, simply wipe it with a dry cloth.

Tip: Wash your hands before scanning. This will protect the device from foreign bodies getting inside and protect it from possible malfunctions.

When to contact specialists

If none of the points above helped solve the problem, then contact a professional. Order touch repair Id iPhone 6, 6s in St. Petersburg in our service center by phone. Masters will provide the following services:

They will disassemble the device using a special set of screwdrivers and other tools.
Will conduct full diagnostics, carefully examining all contacts under a microscope.
The cause of the breakdown will be determined.
They will name a list of new parts to be replaced and announce the final cost of repairs.
They will replace faulty spare parts and reassemble the device in reverse order.
Check the functionality of the iPhone.
A warranty card will be issued.

If you are not confident in your abilities, then bring the gadget to specialists. They will return the device to functionality in just a few hours.

Touch ID is a device for recognizing fingerprints of iPhone and iPad users. Thanks to reading, you can unlock your phone or instantly log in to applications such as Amazon, LastPass. The function is also used in the AppStore to make payments.

After installing the new iOS 10, some users experienced problems with the scanner. There are several types of malfunction:

The phone freezes at the fingerprint recognition stage;
Sensor not working while charging iPhone;
Sudden reset of previously configured fingerprints.

Also, the reason that Touch ID does not work on the iPhone may be a fall or impact of the phone, which damages the sensor. Let's take a closer look at how to quickly solve the problem and return the fingerprint scanner to normal.

Resetting the Scanner

If your iPhone freezes while scanning your fingerprint, you should reconfigure the sensor. All data about saved “fingers” is located in the phone settings (the “Touch ID and password” window).

Delete all existing fingerprints, turn off the sliders " Unlocking iPhone" And " ITunes Store, App Store" and then restart your phone. After turning on your device, go to settings again and add new multi-fingerprints. Such re-tuning allows you to reset an erroneous configuration and resume operation of the scanner at the software level.

No Touch ID response while charging

There are cases when Touch ID does not work while charging the iPhone. In this case, you should completely discharge the phone, then connect it to power and charge it to 100%. During charging, it is advisable to turn on Airplane mode and not use the device. Then do a soft reset (without data loss). After these steps, the biometric scanner will work normally. Do not use a fake iPhone charger; after connecting it to the device, functional failures may occur.

Remember! You should not update your phone's firmware or restore it through iTunes if one of its hardware components does not work (Touch ID, camera, etc.). During the update process, the desktop program automatically checks the functionality of all components of the smartphone. If contact with one of the components is not established, error code 53 will appear (the update progress will be canceled, and because of this the iPhone will no longer turn on).

Improving sensor performance in cold weather

In the cold, fingerprints are less recognized, and the phone’s biometrics often fail. To improve Touch ID performance when low temperatures, enter in existing base scanner data new cold fingerprint. This helps the iPhone remember the current state of the finger and better recognize it in the future.

Replacing the Touch ID cable

If the cause of a non-working scanner is a hardware failure, previously saved data will not be displayed in the smartphone settings (Touch ID window). There will also be no option to add a new fingerprint. The only solution is to check the scanner cable.

Disassemble the phone and remove it from display module Home button. Check the connection of the cable, if it just came off, just reconnect it and reassemble the phone. However, it will most likely be torn. The figure below shows a clear example of a break in the Home button cable (the location of the break is indicated by a red curved line).

There is no way to replace the cable, because the Home button cannot be disassembled. In this way, Apple protects devices from biometric sensor substitution. The Home button should be replaced (when purchasing the part, a corresponding cable is included in the package).

Any DIY instructions iPhone repair You can find it on our website, or call a specialist for to any place convenient for you.