What to do if you couldn't activate Touch ID on your iPhone?

From time to time there are complaints about the operation of the fingerprint scanner on the iPhone or iPad. There is always a small chance that the problem lies in the breakdown of this component of the device, but it is possible that you can solve the incorrect operation of Touch ID on your own. For example, if you recalibrate the scanner, clean it, and also check your fingers for damage. We've put together some helpful tips for those whose Home buttons aren't working as well as they should.

Do you have an iPhone 6 Plus?

If none of the above helps, you probably have an early release iPhone 6 Plus. It’s difficult to say why, but it’s this smartphone that receives the most complaints from users regarding Touch ID. In the editorial office, we have an iPhone 6 and an iPhone 6 Plus, so we see the difference in the operation of fingerprint scanners from personal experience. While misfires in a compact model are extremely rare and most often due to my fault (I let go of my finger too quickly or placed it inaccurately), sometimes I can unlock the iPhone 6 Plus only after manually entering the password. It is possible that different companies supplied fingerprint scanners for different iPhone models, otherwise it is unclear how to explain the large number of complaints about the operation of Touch ID in a smartphone with a larger diagonal.

Touch ID stopped working - how did I solve this problem!?

Hi all! As has been repeatedly noted on the blog, all articles are problems or questions that either I personally or my friends have encountered. This is actually why the site was created - to share personal experiences and help others with Apple technology. And so, my already quite old, but still working iPhone 5S “gave me” another idea for instructions - its Touch ID suddenly stopped working.

And, as it seemed to me at first, this happened completely and irrevocably. No, but what else can you expect? The device is far from new. Chips, scratches, scuffs, falls - all this was and is. Natural wear and tear of the device cannot be avoided :) Therefore, when Touch ID “fell off”, I was not very surprised. The surprise came only later, in the process of solving this problem... however, let's talk about everything in order.

So, a short background:

1. I updated to iOS 10.3.1
2. After some time, I began to notice that the unlocking sensor did not always work. But, as usual, I didn’t attach any importance to it - maybe my hands were dirty or something else.
3. But after I couldn’t log into the client bank using my fingerprint, I got into a solitaire game in my head - Touch ID doesn’t work.

Looking ahead, I would like to note that everything was resolved successfully. But what actions had to be taken to achieve this?

Find out now, let's go!

It is worth noting that if your iPhone has a non-native Home button (for example, replaced after repair), then Touch ID will not function on it. Never. The fingerprint sensor is “hard-wired” to the system board. One board - one Home button. Also, some sellers immediately sell iPhones with a non-working scanner - I already wrote what kind of devices these are.

But we have a different problem - the iPhone stopped recognizing the fingerprint, although nothing happened to it (except for updating iOS).

I thought it was a simple system glitch and did this:

1. To begin with, I forced a hard reboot - it’s very easy to do. And in some cases it helps to get rid of system failures. But not at this time.
2. I opened “Settings - Touch ID and passcode”, deleted the old fingerprint and tried to add a new one. There were no problems with deleting, but at the stage of adding a new one, the scanner simply did not read my finger and showed a white screen. Sometimes adding the inscription - “You pressed the button. Place your finger on the Home button without pressing it."
3. Well, I think things are really bad - we need to restore the firmware. Created a backup and restored...

And here, it would seem, everything should end. But no, no miracle happened and Touch ID still didn’t work. After this it became clear that the problem was “iron”. And it lies in the Home button cable:

1. It may be damaged (moisture, careless assembly or disassembly of the device).
2. It may simply not be inserted (not installed completely).

And it seems that this is not my case. I didn’t get the iPhone wet, and since the last disassembly the scanner has been working great...

But still, the device had to be disassembled and this is what happened:

• I took apart the iPhone.
• Disabled the Home button cable.
• I looked at it and, as expected, saw nothing - it was in perfect condition.
• I put it back.
• Touch ID is working.

To be honest, the result surprised me a little :)

I don’t know why simply reconnecting the cable helped, but the fact remains that after this operation the button began to process my fingerprints normally.

Although I have one idea why this could happen - recently my iPhone fell several times (and quite hard). I already thought that it would come to replacing the screen, but in the end... in general, everything worked out. And perhaps it was these falls that caused all the malfunctions that were described just above.

PS Share your story in the comments or ask questions - I will try to help everyone! Well, you can help me - if possible, like and click on the social media buttons below the article. Thank you all, hugs to everyone! :)

If the problem is hardware

If there is a non-software failure and you cannot complete the Touch ID setup, then the reason may lie in the device itself. The Home button cable may have come loose. To solve this problem, you need to carefully disassemble the phone. Then you need to disconnect the cable from the button, check if there is any damage on it, and re-insert it. In some situations, this helps fix the error.

However, such experiments should not be carried out without proper experience. If the user is confident in his abilities, then before performing such operations it is necessary to save all data from the smartphone.

Minor advantages and disadvantages

After posting details of the above on various forums, owners received a wide variety of responses and comments. On the one hand, this greatly increases the level of security of the phone. After all, if scammers or robbers take possession of a stolen Apple phone, even repairing the Touch ID and replacing it will not make it possible to use the device. On the other hand, if the true owner is faced with the problem of replacing the button, he will not be able to fully use the fingerprint recognition function, having full rights to it.

But Apple really works conscientiously, because it’s not for nothing that its smartphones are considered the best in the whole world. The developed solution will be described later in the article.

Why doesn't Touch ID work?

Incorrect functioning of Touch ID manifests itself in the inability to identify a fingerprint. There may be several reasons for the malfunction:

• Damage to the Home key cable. The problem may occur as a result of mechanical impact (for example, dropping an iPhone), or due to moisture or condensation getting on the device.
• Mechanical damage: chips, scratches, etc.
• The presence of wounds or cuts on the finger used to press the sensor.
• Trying to unlock a smartphone with a wet finger.

Explanations

The main catch is that on the fifth generation of Apple phones there is a connection between the processor (A7) and the sensor that scans the user’s fingerprint. For this reason, many users of such a gadget often wonder how to replace Touch ID on the iPhone 5S so that it works. Mostly questions of this kind are asked by users who have replaced the button themselves. This is due to the fact that the fingerprint transmitted from the button sensor can only be recognized by the processor that was installed in the smartphone at the factory. This is confirmed information obtained from Apple officials.

A small experiment was carried out. At one of the presentations, in front of many spectators, experts swapped the buttons on two fifth-generation iPhones. After this procedure, both phones stopped recognizing any fingerprints, although the devices themselves did not produce any errors. For your information, Apple announced at the presentation of the fifth generation of iPhones that fingerprints are not stored either in cloud storage or on its proprietary servers. Only phone owners have access to them. A bold statement, but there is no evidence for it.

Causes

There are many factors that can affect the performance of a smartphone. Some attribute the failure to complete Touch ID setup to the redesigned stock apps, new Siri features, changes to the CarPlay interface, and more. However, the reasons may be much more trivial than it seems at first glance.

Most often, problems with the scanner appear at subzero temperatures. In this case, the Touch ID setup cannot be carried out due to the fact that the touchscreen is simply frozen and cannot recognize the user. In addition, in cold weather it also changes on a person’s fingers. Of course, this cannot be seen with the naked eye, but for sensitive equipment this is a huge problem. Therefore, if you were unable to complete the Touch ID setup, return to a warm place and try to repeat the procedure again when the device and your hands are warm.

The second common reason is dirt and moisture. If you try to set up the scanner in the rain or in cloudy weather, when high humidity prevails outside, then most likely nothing will work. The same goes for dirty hands. Again, your fingers may look clean on the outside, but this will not be enough for the scanner.

Of course, there are more serious reasons why Touch ID setup couldn't be completed. Quite often the problem occurs due to incorrect settings or a short program crash. The reason may also lie in the hardware.

Symptoms

Failure of Touch ID sensors is usually characterized by several obvious symptoms:

1. The Touch ID scanner does not recognize fingerprints very well.
2. The fingerprint is not recognized in third-party programs.
3. Touch ID does not work at all (fingerprint is not recognized).
4. When starting iOS after rebooting or turning off the device, a system message appears on the screen: “Failed to activate Touch ID on this iPhone.”

Solving problems with fingerprint removal

Frequently asked questions include: I can’t remove a fingerprint, what should I do? The answer to this question is the following: you need to change the system language. To do this you need:

After this, you will need to carry out the fingerprint removal procedure. After a successful operation, the language settings can again be switched to “Russian”.

If the solution does not help, then you will have to reset to factory settings. If the fingerprint scanner shows some problems, you can reflash the phone, which is much more difficult to do. This method is not recommended for use by people who do not have at least basic knowledge of reinstalling the operating system on their phone. Otherwise, you can simply ruin your smartphone.

Manufacturers' decision

As journalists and fans of Apple products found out, Apple has found a solution for Touch ID on the iPhone 5S, the replacement of which will not be able to recognize the fingerprint in the future with independent intervention. To specialized companies located in 25 countries around the world, the company began supplying specialized machines that can help and solve the problem with fingerprints on the iPhone 5S. The design of such devices looks like a regular safe for storing weapons. But when you open the main door, it becomes clear that no expense was spared on the machine and it is intended for higher purposes.

Solving the problem with the fingerprint scanner

Solving the problem with the fingerprint scanner
After we have understood the principle of operation of the fingerprint scanner, we can begin to solve the problem. As previously stated, the “fingerprint” function scans your finger, then uses an algorithm to search for matches based on existing images in the folder.

In order for the “fingerprint” to work in 99.99% of cases, you need to create as many folders as possible with images of your fingerprint. Typically, a standard smartphone supports up to 5 fingerprints simultaneously.

It is necessary to create the maximum number of fingerprints of the same finger. During this procedure, you will receive the message “such a fingerprint already exists” more than once - we ignore it and continue to place our finger at different angles until the smartphone accepts this image. After all these steps, you will have 5 folders and about 100 images from different angles of your fingerprint.

Now, when you put your finger to scan a fingerprint, the algorithm compares the fingerprint with 100 images, which minimizes the chance of error during recognition. During my personal testing, the scanner recognized the finger accurately in 99.99% of cases.

Causes of Touch ID error on iPhone

This problem is international in nature and is faced by many users around the world. Apple forums are full of complaints from Apple owners about the problem with activating Touch ID, which usually appears after installing system updates 10/10.1/10.2/10.3.2 on the iPhone.

I will outline classic advice from Apple on how to solve this problem in the next section. For now, I’ll note that, judging by the reviews of specialists, the problem is no longer of a software, but of a hardware nature. And, in most cases, solving it using software turns out to be quite difficult (although there are pleasant exceptions to the rules). If your iPhone is not charging, but shows that it is charging, you need to correct the situation and the article at the link will help you with this.

I recommend: Carrier on iPhone, what is it.

What problems can you deal with on your own?

If you are faced with the fact that the Touch ID fingerprint recognition system has stopped turning on, it is impossible to unlock the device, etc., you can try to find a solution to the problem yourself. Try restarting your smartphone by pressing the power button and the Home button. If this doesn't help, recalibrate Touch ID:

• go to the menu “Settings – Touch – Password”
• enter a password that will unlock your Apple device
• reset existing fingerprints in your phone memory
• rescan your fingerprint to replace them
• save the settings and check if the sensor is now working

If entering the password and calibration did not help, try flashing your smartphone through iTunes to return the device that was not working to factory settings. This may be a solution to the problem and will help you avoid re-entering the password, replacing the Touch ID buttons and cable, as well as other major repairs.

What to do if the measures taken did not help

If you have repeatedly entered the password, rebooted the device with the “Home” button, calibrated the Touch ID sensor, but your smartphone is still not functioning properly, Touch ID on the iPhone does not work, the device has stopped turning on at all, you cannot do without professional repairs. You can contact any service center or entrust the device to a private YouDo professional, who has a number of advantages:

• no queues or waiting for button replacement
• availability of original spare parts for replacement
• reduced cost of services due to the absence of intermediaries
• convenient ways to order and pay for services

Yudu performers work around the clock. They will quickly and inexpensively perform the necessary iPhone repairs:

• replacing fingerprint scanner elements
• cable replacement
• display replacement
• reinstallation of other failed elements (button cable, display, sensor)

Any actions to replace the cable, repair buttons, replace the display, etc. will be professional and of high quality. After the repair is completed by the YouDo contractor, all you have to do is set a password and your fingerprints.

Artist Yudu will help you quickly and inexpensively deal with the problem that is causing Touch ID to not work on your iPhone.

What to do if the fingerprint is not added

There are situations when the scanner works, but the fingerprint cannot be retrieved again. It is not possible to reset by adding new data. So, when trying to create a new pattern, many Xiaomi owners receive an error “try again” or “failed to add a fingerprint”.

You can try to fix this situation as follows:

This method may help, but not always. If the fingerprint scanner refuses to add a pattern, then you should take drastic measures - reset the settings to factory settings.

Correct setting

In order for Touch ID to work fully, you need to configure it. To do this correctly, you need to follow these steps:

• Make sure the Home button is clean and free of moisture. Hands must be dry.
• Go to your phone settings and select “Touch ID password”. Enter the code combination.
• Click “Add fingerprint” and calmly touch the Home button without pressing it too hard.
• Hold your finger still until the device begins to vibrate.
• Repeat the procedure. The finger must be lifted several times and pressed against the button again. It is recommended to change its position slightly.
• A new menu will appear on the screen where you will be asked to adjust the fingerprint capture. To do this, you need to take the phone in your hand in the most convenient way and place your fingertip on the Home button. This procedure is also repeated several times.

If you still can't complete the Touch ID setup, you can try using another finger. Or use another method.

Force a device restart

The next option is a forced reboot. Hold down the Power and Home buttons simultaneously for about 10 seconds and release when you see the Apple logo. These instructions are intended for owners of iPhone 6 and previous models.

For owners of iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, you need to hold down the “Power” and “Volume Down” buttons, and for new iPhone X phones. First, press volume up, then volume down and hold the “Power” button for 10 seconds. Otherwise the process is the same.

After rebooting, your fingerprint should work fine.

Home button repair at Apple Service

Typical failures of the Home button: The button does not always work; always pressed; does not respond to pressing; no click sound.

If the touchpad is not damaged and Touch ID is working properly, you can almost always repair the button pressing mechanism.

Starting with the iPhone 7, Apple abandoned the mechanical button in favor of a touch one, and the problems listed above are no longer relevant.

The cost of replacing the Home button: in iPhone 5/5S/5C - 1,500 rubles; for iPhone 6/6S - 1900 rubles. Repair time is up to 15 minutes, with the client, the device does not need to be left for a long time in the service center.

Where to go for Touch ID repair

It is not recommended to carry out complex repairs yourself, as this can lead to permanent failure of the Touch ID. Entrust your smartphone repair to the professionals of our service center in Moscow. Experienced technicians will conduct a free diagnosis of your device and repair it.

By contacting us, you will receive:

• Professional repair.
• Nice prices.
• Use only original spare parts or their high-quality certified analogues.
• High level of service, if necessary - delivery by courier to your home throughout the capital.

For iPhone repairs, only high-quality spare parts and components are used, and all types of work are guaranteed. We work with both individuals and legal entities, offering the best prices and favorable terms of cooperation.