TouchID is not appearing as option to unlock Mac from lock screen

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Level 1

4 points

TouchID is not appearing as option to unlock Mac from lock screen

After a year of use TouchID suddenly stopped to appear as an option to unlock my lock screen (e.g. after pressing Command + Control + Q). However, if I switch the user on the lock screen to another user and then back again to my user it actually is appearing as an option and it works to unlock the mac. My Mac has the latest OS installed.

What I tried:

After booting unlock with password, then lock screen and try if TouchID appears (but it does not..)
Reboot
Delete fingerprint and add again
Enable "Use TouchID to unlock Mac" in settings

Macbook Air M3 2024, MacOS Tahoe 26.3, FileVault enabled

How to fix?

Thank you!

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 26.3

Posted on Feb 27, 2026 9:52 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

neuroanatomist

Level 9

57,823 points

Feb 27, 2026 10:00 AM in response to AlexAI915

Worth noting that another user reported the Touch ID part of this issue and that creating a new user account, logging into that then logging back into their main account fixed the problem. It has been noted that running the 26.3 update from a non-admin account may be the issue, and for some logging into their admin account and disabling/re-enabling TouchID fixed the problem.

See also:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256244768?sortBy=newest_first

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Answer 2

rush7396

Level 1

8 points

Feb 28, 2026 6:00 PM in response to AlexAI915

I'm using a MAC and had the same issue after updating to 26.3. Used the same standard troubleshooting steps which did not help: i.e. toggle on/off TouchID, remove / re-add fingerprint etc. What fixed it for me was I logged into my admin account (first time doing so mind you.) TouchID immediately became an option again for my standard user account after logging out of the admin. Hope that helps!

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