Need to enter password more often since 15.7.1 update

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Level 1

126 points

Need to enter password more often since 15.7.1 update

I have a 2019 MBP 15" with Touch Bar. Before the latest update, I used my fingerprint to unlock my computer and only had to enter the password rarely...sometime over a week.

Since the 15.7.1 update, I have to enter the PW nearly every time to unlock. Fingerprint still reliably unlocks password manager every time, so it is not a defect in the touch bar/reader.

Is there a new setting that I'm not aware of that needs changed?

MacBook Pro (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Oct 5, 2025 1:29 PM

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Answer 1

steve626

Level 6

14,607 points

Oct 5, 2025 7:00 PM in response to Blue_27

Blue_27 wrote:

I have a 2019 MBP 15" with Touch Bar. Before the latest update, I used my fingerprint to unlock my computer

Since the 15.7.1 update, I have to enter the PW nearly every time to unlock

I don't have a solution for the root cause of this, but can offer some observations and a suggestion:

I have a 16-inch MacBook Pro 2019 with touch bar, similar but not identical to yours.

After the 15.7 update, I noticed that when the computer awakens from sleep, it initially presents images of the users but only the option to enter a password (touch ID is not presented as a login option). Then, after maybe 3 seconds, the user images blink off then on and again, only a password option is presented. Waiting another 2 seconds or so, the user images blink yet again and then the touch ID option is presented. So for my model, the 15.7.1 update resulted in a small delay before the touch ID option is offered.

If my computer is locked via the "lock screen" option under the Apple menu, then it always seems to offer the touch ID option immediately to unlock.

The above is what I observe with my Mac.

What I suggest is that when the login window after awakening from sleep seems to only offer the "enter password" option, wait maybe several seconds, and see if this changes and you are indeed offered the touch ID.

I don't think is welcome behavior, so maybe it is a "feature" or a quirk or simply a bug ... but it does offer me the touch ID option just several seconds delayed.

(Note that after a restart or shutdown, and also after some number of days have passed even if never rebooted, the MacOS does require a password.)

I haven't updated to Tahoe yet but will be interested to see if this changes then.

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Answer 2

Blue_27 Author

Level 1

126 points

Oct 7, 2025 4:18 AM in response to Blue_27

Thanks. Iv'e been able to replicate the behavior you describe, although occasionally it still works like before the update, almost instantaneous. I haven't been able to discern a pattern for when it does or dosn't. I've also noticed some webpages are slower to load now with Safari, but don't know if it's related.

As for Tahoe, my MBP isn't compatible, so I'm stuck with Sequoia and any future updates.

I have reported this to Apple through the feedback site. If others are having the same problem, I'd urge them to report it also. If enough make the report, it might get fixed.

Product Feedback - Apple

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Answer 3

Blue_27 Author

Level 1

126 points

Oct 7, 2025 4:15 AM in response to steve626

Thanks. I'e been able to replicate the behavior you describe, although occasionally it still works like before the update, almost instantaneous. I haven't been able to discern a pattern for when it does or dosn't. I've also noticed some webpages are slower to load now with Safari, but don't know if it's related.

As for Tahoe, my MBP isn't compatible, so I'm stuck with Sequoia and any future updates.

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