TouchID stopped working (properly) after updating to Tahoe

Christine_G wrote:

Since updating to macOS Tahoe, Touch ID no longer works properly. When my Mac wakes from sleep, Touch ID used to let me log in quickly, but now it doesn’t. I have to enter my password every time. Touch ID still works for autofilling passwords, though. Is there a fix for this?

Many users report that after upgrading to macOS 26, when waking from sleep the login screen shows only the password field and no Touch ID prompt (initially). macReports+2Reddit+2

In some cases the Touch ID option appears after a delay (10‑30 seconds) if you wait. macReports+2Reddit+2

Touch ID still works for other uses (autofilling passwords, Apple Pay, etc) — the issue is specific to unlocking from sleep / lock screen. macReports+1

According to Apple’s support document, there are security‐policy reasons why Touch ID won’t work in certain scenarios — e.g. after a restart, after shutting down, or if more than 48 hours since last login. Apple Support

But in this case the behaviour is more consistent with a OS bug triggered by the update. Several articles identify the bug in Tahoe and suggest fixes. The Mac Observer+1

Personally on a M4 MBA ( Apple Silicon ) with Tahoe 26.0.1, I do not experience this issue

You may consider not panicking for the moment

Not doubt, there is some type of update that Apple is current working on that may or may not fix this issue

If after this yet to be released update is released and installed

Should it Not Fix this issue, that would be the appropriate time to contact Apple

Start now and open an Apple Support Ticket as they are Apple Employees who deal will these types of issues . 

 Product Feedback - and make it known to Apple regarding this ongoing issue