Password required to enable Touch ID - every time I log in

Hello drnuke,

Thank you for reaching out in Apple Support Communities. I understand you aren't able to use Touch ID to unlock your iPhone. I can help with this.

Make sure none of these apply to your situation. I suggest trying a couple of things to get this fixed.

Use Touch ID on your Mac - Apple Support

Learn more about Touch ID

You can use Touch ID to control accessibility features on your Mac:

• Triple-press Touch ID to display the Accessibility Options window.
• Hold the Command key and triple-press Touch ID to toggle VoiceOver on and off.

In some situations, you need to enter your password instead of using Touch ID:

• If you've just restarted your Mac
• If you've logged out of your user account
• If your fingerprint isn't recognized five times in a row
• If you haven't unlocked your Mac in more than 48 hours 
• If you've just enrolled or deleted fingerprints

If you still need help unlocking your Mac with Touch ID, follow these tips. Try again after each one:

• Make sure that your fingers are clean and dry.
• Moisture, lotions, sweat, oils, cuts, or dry skin might affect fingerprint recognition. Certain activities can also temporarily affect fingerprint recognition, including exercising, showering, swimming, or cooking.
• Your finger should cover Touch ID completely. While Touch ID is scanning, don't press down or move your finger.
• Try setting up a different fingerprint.

Take care.

I have just recently in the last couple of weeks experienced the same issue. None of the scenarios listed apply to me. TouchID is never available, and continuously indicates I need to put my password in to enable TouchID.

I personally have Never got this Touch ID to work. For a few web pages Safari will login to the web site. For Unlocking the computer it does not work never has. IF I enable in the Control panel, then close and re open the control panel that option has un checked it self. So I must be missing something because far as I can tell unlocking with your finger print on a new mac book 13 inch touchbar 2018 is not available.

The Options are there they just don't work.

I can Unlock with my apple watch that feature works.

Any one reading this have you been able to use a finger print to unlock your Mac book? IF so how do you keep the option checked in System prefs'

Thanks.

I have the same issue, and I am looking for an answer. Apple watch unlock works every time, If I am not wearing a watch the touch id option is available maybe half the time. Its super annoying I spent more for the touch Id feature specifically and like all the other posts here and the other threads I've read, none of the reasons giving apply to me. I didn't restart, I didn't add or delete finger prints, It asks for the password only a few hours after last use, I haven't logged out and it didn't give me the option to use touch Id in the first place.