Touch ID being Erratic

Thanks Dreammachine1 for the service you've done us all by starting this thread. I think we've all learned a lot over the course of it. Personally, Jo_Mo's solution seems to have worked for me. However, I like your attitude about the continuing problem and if it starts to fail for me, I'll do the same thing as you, of just reregistering my right thumb again whenever necessary and without all the emotion and distress. And wait for an eventual software fix (we hope!).

David

This is interesting to hear... Certainly, my theories have to be tested by other to get an idea if they are helpful. 🙂

A couple of questions: Are you using a screen protector? Does pulling up the Control Panel and opening/closing the Calculator fix it when it isn't working? Also, does cleaning the scanner resolve the issues you have begun to experience?

The reason I ask is when I have had problems the last two days cleaning TID on my shirt and doing the Calculator trick fixed it. (I am also not using a screen protector.)

Same problems as others. Fingerprint scans work initially after re-registering the prints, then become increasingly unable to unlock. I'm using 7.0.4. The Genuis Bar recommended I do a full reset of the phone, which I did, but that did not fix the problem (and the reset required me to restore a bunch of other settings - I would not advise this route). Sure hope a fix is in the works.

I have been on 7.1 beta 2 for a day and a couple of hours now. The only time it might not work for me is when the home button is not clean, I just wipe it with my finger and scan again then it unlocks. Before this OS, I couldn't even add more than one finger and it fails 50% of the time. Now I have three and they work 90% of the time.. I'm reporting this because I was experiencing this issue too and I was pretty mad about it. Hopefully it'll keep working properly. I'll post after a few days.

Griswaldo4g wrote:

I am glad your method works for you (and I have nothing against it) but it doesn't work for many of us on its own.

Also, whereas your post (#2) seems to imply that enrolling your finger with your case off can contribute to failure, I have had a different experience... I think it is up to the people who we are supposed to be helping to decide for themselves what works for them.

That being said, I have an observation and request for those who care to listen...

[snip]

I think you read my intentions incorrectly. Wasn't trying to prove or disprove your theory. I read, very carefully, what you wrote and tried to duplicate your steps, and simply reported the results. I drew no such conclusions nor implied what you seem to believe I implied about removing the case is what caused failures.

My opinion all along is based on my own findings on day 1 through day 3 at the launch. I did not have my case installed, and could not get TID to work with no screen protector, no case, and for the first day, no third party apps installed. Installed case and apps, and it still failed. Over the next 2 weeks, I pretty much gave up on using TID, and was ready to have the phone replaced, found this forum, read a few posts that just did not make sense to me, and decided to take a different route to the whole process. I hit on a solution that worked 100% for me, and reported here and in other threads what I found thinking it might help others.

48 hours still working. No screen protector or case since enrolling fingers.

Cleaning scanner certainly helps. I haven't tried the calculator trick yet. Tried it outside when my fingers were cold, no difference, still worked.

Seems a bit sleepy first thing in the morning. Looking at the fingerprints in the touch I'd screen occasionally it takes several seconds before it is recognised. Other times after it has warmed up so to speak it works immediately.

When it is sleepy I have to remove my finger and replace it. When it has been used for a bit just touching and holding will unlock the phone.

I have enrolled my thumbs as two different fingers one for the centre one for the tip. Both so far are working. Though the centre pad or is it whorl is quicker and works best.

I will give it a couple more days Then put my case back and see what happens.

As I was having problems with my major prints, I erased them and registered solely the prints of my left index (the center of the finger on the scanner and the finger almost parallel to the iPhone). That event occured by Sep 24th.

Since this date Touch ID has been working perfectly for me if I put my index in the registering position.

I have not found yet the way to avoid SIRI pop up if I leave my index just a little too long time on the scanner. Usually I get the icons screen directly.

I appreciate it. This is the kind of data we need about my suggested theory... If it doesn't pan out, I am alright with - it is the cost of being a blogger. 🙂

What is the calculator trick? Somehow I missed that one...

Joe_Fo: You have made a fair statement hear. I appreciate your input in this community.

Everybody else: I have posted a Youtube video on the issue to solicit more testing from the Youtube community. It is also a (slightly) more succinct explanation of the theorized problem of static electricity effecting Touch ID. (It might be worth a look for those who do not wish to go back and read my admittedly verbose postings.)

The Calculator trick is pulling up the Control Panel, opening the Calculator, closing out of it (by pressing the home button) and scanning your fingerprint again.

Touch ID on my month old i phone 5s works for No more than 1 day. Been to the Genius Bar twice and the last time I was there they did a complete reset and I rescanned 2 fingers and everything was working okay while I was there. Well the next day nothing - its like my 5s goes Touch ID brain dead after only a day. Very very frustrating after about 40 rescans and all with the same result - ie going touch ID dead after one day I am wondering if its time to try and get a new i phone 5s?? Any replies would be very much appreciated.

Morning of the third day. All still working. Still no case. I have enrolled my left thumb in Joe Fo's method and my right is still working in the semi random Apple method.

Something I have noticed this morning. If the scan doesn't unlock first press and 'the try again' comes up, I have much better success as long as I ignore try again and wait for 'slide to unlock'. Is something interfering with the scan?

Depress the home button as fast as possible, leaving finger resting on button. Works better. The try again/slide to unlock screens can be switched between by swiping left and right at any time, even with no prompts displayed. There was a delay introduced in 7.0.3 to give us a chance to try TID multiple times before the slide prompt is displayed. All mental, really. Seems like people were thinking they had to slide to the passcode screen as it apperred TID failed.

Bob, a couple questions (if I may)... Has your reliability improved - you mentioned before having to get your finger on there just right? Also, do you have a screen protector on your phone?

It would interesting to hear your answers because it might help put things in perspective for everybody a bit. 🙂