After upgrade to OS 26 Touch ID only works sporadically on 2019 MacBook Pro

osiegmar wrote:

I'm having the exact same issue for several years with MacBooks as well as Mac Minis and iMacs. Right now I'm having this issue with my Mac Mini with an M4 Pro chip and my Apple Magic Keyboard USB-C running macOS 26.1.

Very frustrating!

For others, the issue only appeared with the release of MacOS 26.0.1 and was resolved in 26.1. Previously on Sequoia, it was Mac OS 15.7.1 that introduced the bug and was resolved in 15.7.2.

If you have been experiencing the problem for many years across different Macs, you are having a unique problem, maybe due to a third party software conflict. I would suggest to create a new post where your System can be looked at more closely and include the machine details and OS version and concentrate on one device, where it is likely the same solution will apply to the others as well. There are tools like the free EtreCheck report that have been very helpful in resolving issues on a device and that report can be included in your new post. There is no personal information in the report.

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I tried reinstalling the OS. This does not solve the problem. The bug comes from the OS.

I doubt a hardware issue... this type of bug after updates is not new.

Fingers crossed, this does seem a little better in macOS 26.0.1. I've been able to use Touch ID from sleep a few times successfully, which is much more often than on 26.0.

I hear ya. But my 2019 Intel has never had Tahoe on it and my symptoms are the same - 15.7 has the same issue and 15.7.1 didn't change anything. 15.6 was fine.

I'm having a related issue. I have a 2020 Macbook Pro (Intel) and the issue started earlier this week when I installed the security update to Sequoia 15.7. When I wake my Macbook from sleep, it asks for a password. If I use my finger on the power button, it used to just wake up. Now, it can take up to a minute of touching the power button over and over until it finally reacts and wakes. If I'm in a hurry, I just bail out and manually type in my password (at which point it wakes immediately). But it's taken up to 2 mins of trying before reacting to the fingerprint.

I had originally thought it only happened when the computer went to sleep but now i know that it actually always works. its just some times i have to wait up to 20 seconds before i can use my print. sometimes it works instantly.

not sure if it matters but my Mac Pro is 2019 intel based

zorkmaracmur181 wrote:

I had originally thought it only happened when the computer went to sleep but now i know that it actually always works. its just some times i have to wait up to 20 seconds before i can use my print. sometimes it works instantly.

not sure if it matters but my Mac Pro is 2019 intel based

Mac Pro is a Desktop— so you re saying this with an external keyboard & TouchID as well on Tahoe(?)

I have the M2 15inch MBA, exact same problem within minutes of ugrade to Tahoe. Deleted my print , restarted a couple of times to no avail ,now unable to set up a new fingerprint, sensor just will not read it at all. (UK model)

I have the exact model of Mac and I am facing the same issue ,but I have another issue which is that my laptop doesn't actually wake up from sleep until I press the power button ,tried nvram reset more like a short term fix (for me at least),all other fixes also doesn't seem to do the job so I think I will wait for the next update in hope they fix these bugs

I've been grappling with this for two weeks: no fingerprint option on the lock screen or at start up. I've deleted and re-added the fingerprints, turned Touch ID off and on, but to no avail. Most of the time when I try to turn Touch ID back on, it won't do it unless I restart (even with a password re-enter).

2025 M4 MB Air Tahoe

Any acknowledgement from the mothership that this is an issue? Affects 15.7 and 26. Affects Intel and Mx Macbooks. I presume this is intended to annoy people into buying new hardware so will guess that the newest hardware is not affected.

The 15-second penalty for keeping an older Mac going.

It is as if I wrote this myself. I have the exact same problem with all the same issues. I have tried toggling off the Touch ID and rebooted and cut it back on, cleaned the Touch ID button which was clean and works after I get the computer logged in, and cancelled and added a fingerprint. Nothing works. This started when I downloaded Tahoe 26. I have been waiting on an update. Apple needs to do better.

It's driving me nuts. I manually delete and re-add three fingerprints, they work for a little while, maybe a day or two, then they completely stop working again. I have an M1 MacBook Air from 2020. It worked fine before I updated - and I wish I could just go back to Sequoia.

I'm having the exact same issue for several years with MacBooks as well as Mac Minis and iMacs. Right now I'm having this issue with my Mac Mini with an M4 Pro chip and my Apple Magic Keyboard USB-C running macOS 26.1.

Very frustrating!