Hi all! I am having issues with touch ID. I just got a new iPhone 7 last week. When I create a fingerprint, it does work, but I can go to unlock the phone one time and it won't let me. I try the 5 times it lets you and it makes me enter my pass code. Then I can try the next time, or lock my phone when it acts up before it has been done 5 times, and do it, and it will work that time. So for now I have it disabled. It is just inconsistent as to weather or not it'll work, it's just weird! My question is, should I talk to Apple about this? I had no issues with touch ID with my 6s, none at all! It worked flawlessly on that phone, so I'm not understanding the issue with this phone!
I do use an otterbox case, but like I said with my 6s I had no issues with that phone with the case on. I would like to use touch ID, and I wouldn't think it would have been a better touch ID system with the 6s, this phone is newer! Any thoughts or ideas?
Vicki
Comments
Maybe try re-doing the set up of fingerprints
I had a very high failure rate with Touch I.D. on my iPad at first. I finally deleted the prints I had made and started the Touch i.d. Setup from scratch. After that it works 99 percent of the time.
I tried redoing the fingerprint.
HI Betsy, thanks for this suggestion! I did this, tried redoing it at least 2 times, and it didn't seem to change a thing, but I suppose I could try a different finger. Thanks loads for your help!
Hi,
Hi,
I've noticed for some time that the touch ID sensors on iPhones don't like slightly moist fingers due to sweat/water. If your fingers sweat, you'll have a hard time doing touch Id, believe me!! If it doesn't work due to sweaty fingers, you'll have to except it and just enter your passcode. This is the only option besides just turning the darn touch id off, which I don't recommend. It keeps your data just that little bit secure.
Things you can try
Hello,
The above comment is true. If the touch pad or your finger is slightly moist, the identification will likely fail.
If your fingers and the touch pad are dry, you can try the following.
Try using your pointer finger instead of your thumb.
Use an alcohol wipe to clean the touch pad surface. Perhaps it’s dirty enough that the particles are preventing a proper read of the print.
If that does not work, you can try performing a system reset by going to settings> reset then reset settings. Be aware this will wipe out your preferences and password but it is not as invasive as performing a factory restore.
HTH and good luck.
Otterbox Issue!
I started to have the same problem with my iPhone 6S. After reloading my prints a few times, without success, I decided to test the fingerprint reader without the case on. The phone worked perfectly. I decided to remove the thin film that Otterbox places over the fingerprint sensor to help keep dirt out. That solved all of my fingerprint recognition issues. The film was starting to crinkle up and get dirty which I assume was causing the issue. It's not hard to remove.
Otter box issue.
John, to make sure I do it correctly, if I decide to remove the film over the otterbox home button area, what is the best way to do it? I have thought about doing this, but wasn't sure if it'd be a good thing to do, and if I'd mess up the rest of the screen if I did that. Do you just peal it off from the area where it starts right below the regular screen protector? I do want that to stay on of course, the screen protector. Maybe that'll help.
As far as sweating fingers goes, that is not my issue. It has something to do with the settings in the hone button, the phone, or it has to do with the otterbox which is possible. I am not one to sweat often, so luckily that is not an issue for me. I have just been surprised by this, as I have never had issues with this with my iPhone 6s! Touch ID worked nearly perfectly on that phone!
I'll take the case off and see if that helps, and if it does we know what the issue is lol.
Thanks for all of y'all's help! I appreciate it!
Start from scratch
I agree with the previous poster. Start from scratch. When I first got my iPhone 5s, which still works, I had no problem with the tuch I.D.
I've redone the print 3 or 4 times.
Hey there! I have redone it 3 or 4 times. The first thing I thought of actually was, well if it isn't working, try again. So I did. I've still had the same result. But it may well be my otterbox case, as now that I have it off I don't seem to be having the issue. I just redid the fingerprint and I've been messing with it for the last little bit and it seems to work fine. So I may have to remove that film that goes over the home button. I'll put the case back on and see if it still gives me problems. It's interesting, I never had these issues with my otterbox case for my 6s, but I wonder, I got this one from Amazon for $23, wonder if I got what I paid for and it might not have been better to just order the case from otterbox. Oh well.
Fixed the problem.
Hi all! As I feared it was my otterbox. I could try to buy another from them, but I worry this could happen again. So I'll just use this one as it is. The home button selefain is no longer on, I took it off. As long as the rest of the screen is protected, I'm fine with that.
I took the case off for a bit redid my fingerprint, and played around with it. The responsiveness was much better! Then when I went to try to unlock the phone once I had put the case back on, right away it said try again. I did get it to work after I tried the second time, but this is what it's been doing, and some of the time trying again doesn't cut it and I end up having to enter my code. So, I just said, enough is enough, and pulled that selefain off. It was easy to get off. Does anyone know, do the tempered glass and other screen protectors cover the home button? I assume not, but don't know.
Let me recommend another good case
I have another good case I can recommend, it's made by a company called Spigen. The case covers the back and the corners of the phone, and I've got a tempered glass screen protector on the phone and I've got absolutely no problems with touch id. I've just found that the otterbox cases can be more trouble than they're worth especially if you're going to be using touch id. Here's a link to the case if you'd like to take a look. http://promo.spigen.com/product/iphone-7-plus-case-spigen-liquid-crystal-ultra-thin-crystal-clear-premium-semi-transparent-exact-fit-no-bulkiness-soft-case-for-iphone-7-plus-2016-043cs20479/
Screen protector
I had the whole screen protector film on my otterbox removed and replaced with the tempered glass protector when I got my 7. As far as I can tell, there is nothing over the home/fingerprint area. Much, much better than the film., but stuff like hair can kind of get stuck in the plastic casing around the screen. Not too big a deal.
Screen protectors and cases.
Hey guys! Thanks Toonhead! I am going to check this case out! I just may go for it! And thanks for your response too CrockerBear!
I have a question about the tempered glass screen protectors for those of you that use them. Are they hard to put on? I mean should I get a sighted person to put one on for me if I get one? Is there good ones to get, or just any tempered glass screen protector? I have seen those on Amazon, that's why I ask.
Thanks loads!
not hard to put on at all
Not hard to put on at all, it literally only takes a few seconds to do. You know you have the screen protector positioned right because there's a perfectly round hole where the home button should be. this is so you can still press the home button without it being covered. So all you have to do is line the screen protector up, right in the center and just press down on the corners and make sure everything's tight. when you first get it you'll have to peal back a piece of protective plastic that covers the adhesive stuff on the back of the protector. So, if you're good at lining things up, you'll have no trouble with it. The case is kind of cool too. it's what's called TPU plastic, and it's thin enough to make your phone look nice, but thick enough to protect it at the same time. The case covers the back of the phone and the corners, with cutouts for the cameras so they can be used with ease. I love my case and recommend it to anyone looking for something simple.