Q: Touch ID being Erratic

Just got back from the genius bar; they did not swap out my phone. They ran diagnostics and said they saw an "anamoly" in the OS and deleted and restored it (what a surprise...not). I figured I let them go through the motions because if/when it fails again and  I show up there we'll be in a better position for a swap.

I still think this is more a software/not ready for prime time issue then a hardware issue. Despite that since others have had success with swapped phones, I'm willing to give that a try.

Also, coincidentally (or not) since I set up a fingerprint per Joe_Fo's latest instructions yesterday, touch id had been working okay.

Huh.  Apple just released iOS 7.0.4.  According to this article: http://www.imore.com/apple-releases-ios-704-iphone-and-ipad "In addition to the usual bug fixes and improvements, Apple lists a fix for hanging FaceTime calls."

smilleresq wrote:

 

Despite that since others have had success with swapped phones, I'm willing to give that a

Sorry to report that both my replacement phones are like mrsnork's, going dead for periods of time but eventually coming back to working on the first try, all without ever replacing the finger print scans.

I've been through the terrible experience of trying to install the restore images .. for some reason  itunes has caused  them to fill up with "Other", which can't be removed exept by erasing and restoring again. I've done this 4 times now. With such bugs in itunes, I wonder if we're all loading garbage on these phones.

I initially ran both phones for 40 hours with near perfect touch id without plugging them in to itunes. It was so good that I went back to using the itunes restore, and now both phone are bad again. Maybe I need to switch from itunes to icloud for backup, and add apps individually from the app store. Joe_flo, mrsnork which way do you do it?

smilleresq wrote:

 

[snip]

 

Also, coincidentally (or not) since I set up a fingerprint per Joe_Fo's latest instructions yesterday, touch id had been working okay.

Was that a typo? Touch ID "had" been working oaky, or "has"?  IMWTK

I use iCloud backup, so I rarely plug the phone into iTunes.  Makes no diference I think.

Sometimes restoring and setting up a phone "as-new" rather than from a backup does make a difference for cetain software-related problems.  I haven't tried that in a month or so, but when I did I sitll had some issues with Touch ID so I went back to my backup.

I am going to download 7.0.4 when I get a chance.  Maybe that will solve some problems for us.

Joe_Fo wrote:

 

smilleresq wrote:

 

[snip]

 

Also, coincidentally (or not) since I set up a fingerprint per Joe_Fo's latest instructions yesterday, touch id had been working okay.

 

Was that a typo? Touch ID "had" been working oaky, or "has"?  IMWTK

I used the past tense because the  "genius" reset my phone losing the well scanned print.

paulfromhere wrote:

 

[snip]

 

I initially ran both phones for 40 hours with near perfect touch id without plugging them in to itunes. It was so good that I went back to using the itunes restore, and now both phone are bad again. Maybe I need to switch from itunes to icloud for backup, and add apps individually from the app store. Joe_flo, mrsnork which way do you do it?

I've only user icloud once while in the Apple store in Atlantic City when I upgraded from an iPhone 4 to the 5S. I've only ever used iTunes on a PC, but have only needed it for a restore when I got the 5S home due to some missing data that didn't make it to the new phone.  Besided, it's much faster using itunes.

One issue though: I have had problems using a powered USB hub (fails and bricks the phone, requiring a DFU restore) and finally crawled behind the PC and used a USB port there.  Just bought a 2 meter lightning cable for that reason. I've had to use my iPad to get Internet access via personal hotspot after Sandy blew through and blew out my FIOS H/W for about a week.

mrsnork wrote:

 

[snip]

 

I am going to download 7.0.4 when I get a chance.  Maybe that will solve some problems for us.

I would, but with my luck lately would probably _start_ having problems with TID not working for me.  I know misery loves company, but, I'll be over here on the sidelines for now.

verizon sent me a cert like new device. had to call and order a real new one. the rep was reallly helpful. he appologized for the other rep's errors, and is going to pull the tape and listen and see why i was lied to within my 14 day worry free garentee peroid.

IMHO this issue is definitely related to background applications since (when touch id stops responding) when I open the clock app or calculator app through control center while the phone is locked and make it sleep/wake, the touch id starts working.

By the way 7.0.4 didn't fix it

Made a full wipe and restored via DFU 2 days ago. Did not help me at all. First time after fingerprint re-add it worked even with dirty fingers and dirty sensor. Then i just left the phone on a table for some time, came back, and OH A MIRACLE!! It stopped working again. Cleaning sensor helps for some time and then the story repeats.

I tryed not to press the button, just wake the device with power button and slightly put the finger to unlock via TID, to do a minimal mechanical interaction with the button( thought maybe the sensor lags and comes alive after a button press shake) but no result! It can work, and after five minutes it doesnt! And than again...

After updating to 7.0.4 cleaned the sensor and re-added the print. Worked as a charm five minutes ago even with wet fingers, and now it fails again!

Maybe the feature, that automatically "learns" better your prints while using TID is working in background, when phone is locked??? And spoiling the performance...

Noticed a rule, that the scaner starts failing more often after just leaving the phone on a table.

You lucky guys with all your apple stores and other stuff. In my country I cant just go and replace the phone...

I still believe, that its a software issue... APPLE , please fix it!!

Cooler044 wrote:

 

[snip]

 

You lucky guys with all your apple stores and other stuff. In my country I cant just go and replace the phone...

I still believe, that its a software issue... APPLE , please fix it!!

This is a user to user forum. Asking Apple here to fix anything will not get you anywhere. Call Apple support.

Register your fingerprint the way I recommended MANY time in this thread first before you do anything else.

For multiple users on multiple 5S's each time they add a fingerprint everything works fine for a couple of days then starts having issues. The software is unlearning the fingerprint as it tries to improve its accuracy. Turn off the improve the accuracy through continued use leaving the original scan as is to solve the problem. EVERY NEW SCAN WORKS GREAT FOR AWHILE THEN GOES SOUTH. Nothing wrong with the sensor because a new scan immediately works fine on the same device.

I DEFINITELY have a "clicky" home button on my gold 5S.  It struck me as odd at first, as all my other home buttons on my previous 3 phone, and 2 iPads were quiet and smooth, including my new iPad Air.  I just thought it was different because of the addition of the TouchID sensor.

Still believe that apple guys will notice such a big thread with 21k views.

Yes, of course, I tried your way... Many times in many interpritations. Works just as other scans, no noticable effect.

It would be great, if youll upload the vid to youtube)))

My first fingerprints I recorded after bying the phone were recorded in chaotic way. I havent even read the instructions and just put the finger onto a button the way I am pressing it. And it worked no problem. Than I re-entered them according to instructions. Played many times and all was great until some day... Still believe the update ruined it...

No official iphone support in my country. The distributors just dont have it in their list. Only ipads and ipods and other stuff like macbooks. Even Russia has "white" iphones, as i know, but not Ukraine...