Touch ID doesn't work for me

The iPad User Guide describes the straightforward process of setting-up TouchID:

Set up Touch ID on iPad - Apple Support

If you are having difficulty setting-up TouchID, refer to this support page:

If Touch ID isn't working on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Some users just have difficulty using TouchID. The causes for of TouchID being unreliable for some users - and not others - are many. Whilst not an exhaustive list, possibilities include:

• Very high humidity (“sweaty” fingers)
• Very low humidity (excessively dry skin)
• Poor fingerprint ridge-detail (excessive hand washing - or exposure to abrasive material, damaging fingerprint detail)
• Physical injury (cuts or splits to the fingertip)

If you have naturally dry skin, try using a “light” (non greasy) and easily absorbed skin moisturiser.

By default, TouchID will be used as an available alternative to entering your iPad Passcode - although you can alter some settings that will disable or enable TouchID for some authentication tasks:

Settings > TouchID & Passcode > [Use TouchID For] 

• iPad Unlock
• Wallet & ApplePay
• iTunes & App Store 
• Password AutoFill
• Other Apps (these will only be listed for Apps that are compatible with TouchID)

beachgeek wrote:

Touch doesn't work reliably for me, never has and never will. I was looking for an alternate method. I managed to find one after getting mired in Apple security, having to change passwords, etc. It's odd because I have never had touch on my prior iPad. But, in the end, I won so all is well.

TouchID was never a mandatory authentication method - but can provide convenience in place of entering the device Passcode. If you don't wish to use TouchID, you simply do not register (or remove existing) fingerprints.

iPad's Pro, similar to many models of iPhone, have FaceID instead of TouchID. Once setup, FaceID is a far easier to use and is more consistent than TouchID.

Touch doesn't work reliably for me, never has and never will. I was looking for an alternate method. I managed to find one after getting mired in Apple security, having to change passwords, etc. It's odd because I have never had touch on my prior iPad. But, in the end, I won so all is well.