Fingerprint login inconsistency after MacBook update to Sequoia 15.7

It does seem to arise from the 15.7 update released concurrently with Tahoe, presumably the last for Sequoia. Have a 16" 2019 Intel MBP and it is becoming irksome, especially due to the inconsistency. From discussions elsewhere, it appears to affect only TouchID equipped Intel MBPs with the T2 security chip, the Apple Silicon ("M") MBPs are not affected.. My other, a 2018 15" Intel MBP with Mojave, has not done this.

Interestingly, while I was cursing at the thing yesterday, I was randomly pecking at the TouchID sensor/Power button. It appeared to cycle thru several displays requesting password when suddenly TouchID became available for that occasion. The following time TouchID became unavailable, the "peck at the button" trick seemed to work too.

I found a pretty easy workaround. Just close your lid, wait 5-7 seconds and open the lid again. The fingerprint login will work. This method works without fail. Hope this helps some of you. By the way, I am on a 13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports Macbook Pro (Intel chip) running Sequoia 15.7.1 (24G231).

Updated to 15.7.2. Issue resolved.

I think it is. I have same problem on my MacBook Air. The screen doesn't initially show the invitation to use Touch to log in, but I have found that if I move my finger around lightly on the touch button, eventually the screen invites me to Touch Login, and then I can . Hopefully it will be resolved with a new release.

Thanks for heads up that .2 was available. Just installed and fingerprint login is back. Thanks.

lmr016 wrote:

Thanks for all the reply's; helps confirm my thought about it being a Sequoia 15.7 issue. I either have to enter my password manually, or eventually after tapping the sensor enough, it will log me in. How do I get this to the attention of Apple SWDEV team?

I have a 2019 Macbook Pro 16", Intel, with the T2 chip. What I have observed with 15.7 is on the login screen after wake from sleep, the users are shown initially with their images/photos, and a password is requested. If I just sit and watch it, no tapping, no fiddling, just doing nothing, after a few seconds the user images seem to blink off and on, and a password is still requested; but then they blink again and touch ID is presented as an option. This all seems to take several seconds. I don't recall seeing this "delay" with 15.6. For me, Touch ID seems to work fine but seems to take several extra seconds to present itself as an option now, versus before. This does not bother me but it seems like a new "quirk." I have not yet updated to Tahoe, so not sure what to expect there, although I do have some residual concerns about this 6-year old Intel MacBook Pro being suitable for Tahoe.

Product Feedback - Apple

Don't expect a reply at all, though.

The advice above is good, but I would recommend caution using any type of biometrics to unlock your devices. Courts have ruled that you can be ordered to unlock your devices using biometrics. A password gives you the best protection, legally.

It's still broken in 15.7.1. It will be broken forever apparently - they simply do not care. Remember to do not upgrade when your system is working flawlessly (unless very old system version is installed in order to allow for some stable security fixes). Otherwise you're risking issues like this.

I have the same problem too.

same here