touch ID not working on 2019 macbook air

Touch ID is not working on my MacBook Air (OS 10.14.6), the new model bought late July this year (2019). It was working, then it just stopped. The machine will only accept my password, which is a nuisance to type in every time I wake it from screen saver.

Posted on Sep 2, 2019 2:22 PM

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Posted on Sep 3, 2019 6:09 AM

I discovered what the problem was. I was using a third-party USB-C to USB converter. As soon as I unplugged it, the problem went away. Thank you, however, for your reply.

5 replies

Sep 5, 2019 3:30 AM in response to sberman

Thanks for your reply - and I always enjoy my Apple gear (since 1988). I think there might be more to the Touch ID problem than a third-party device, however, as I now find that I have to put in my password for all sorts of things I do on the MBA, including moving a file from one folder to another, or deleting a file (I can't find a way of turning this off, which is another problem), and it will *only* let me use the password, not Touch ID, even though the message says I can use either. Unless you happen to have an idea what's going on here, I'll get in touch with Apple when I return to Canada next week.

Sep 5, 2019 5:43 AM in response to outthere1000

I just discovered that it had nothing to do with a

third-party device. Aside from the password problems just posted, I can't

access the screen after it goes to sleep when *any* device is plugged in. I

have an iPod Touch plugged in with an *Apple proprietary* USB-C to lightning

cable, and Touch ID refuses to work. Furthermore, the iPod Touch shows a

message saying "This accessory is not supported by this device" -

though it does appear to be charging all the same. I got exactly the same

message when I plugged in an iPad Mini (same cable), only this time it refused

to charge, IT'S ALL APPLE GEAR. What is going on here??


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touch ID not working on 2019 macbook air

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