Q: Touch ID being Erratic

Pushlinks wrote:

 

All I know is this issue has been happening for a month now. And apple didn't even consider to address it. Disappointed. Nothing to do with my fingers. Touch ID worked flawlessly for about 2 3 weeks. I'm pretty sure the sensor stops scanning after a while when the phone is locked (Sometimes). And if anyone is thinking that my home button is not clean and I have to clean it. That's not the case. When it doesn't work, unlock the phone with the stupid passcode that I never used until Touch ID.

[snip]

Known S/W bug, ducumented here and other threads.

Pushlinks wrote:

 

 

[snip]

Tried EVERYTHING from restoring to deleting Twitter. I may have scanned my finger 50+ times. Don't show me a video how to scan my finger. I'm pretty sure I didn't make anything different first 3 weeks.

Sorry if the attempts by others to share what works causes you such angst.  If you feel your methods work for you, which after 50 times with no difference in results is acceptable to you, keep up the good work. Maybe 100 times will be the charm.

Please keep us informed on your progress finding a solution that works for you.

You're quite funny Joe. Thanks for the video, but it's not rocket science. They show you how to enroll your fingers. I seen your video. Pretty sure when you unlock it with one hand (Right thumb) it will eventually fail since you're still here trying to "Help"

I've bought my iPhone 2 months ago. I "may" have scanned my finger 50+ times since then. Got it? Sensor sometimes stops working. As simple as that

Wasn't trying to be funny as much as sarcastic.

I made the video, not "they".  Please explain why it works for me and others, and works for my wife since first scanned for 2 months now...

I already told you why it stops working sometimes is documented both here and in other threads. Even more simple as that. Got it?  Your refusal to learn from others, only to rant  in a user to user forum is not helpful.

Yes, there are S/W bugs, but while they're being worked on, there is a solution.  And you're correct; It's not rocket science. It's quite easy to do, actually.

I have no hidden agenda here...

He is correct.  My touch ID has been working since I got it

By "they" I mean Apple. And I'm really thankful for your video except that it stopped working. Same problem. My friends aren't experiencing this too.

I have also watched the video (and completed the steps) as of today and am already having problems again. While at this point I can't say for sure if it is a problem with static as I have suggested, it seems to me like there is more going on here than just user error.

One thing I am going to try (to see if I can corroborate my own anecdotal evidence) is setting up and using TID in the method described by the video (except without a case). Perhaps maintaining contact with the metal chassis of the iPhone as I am using TID will resolve the issue. If it does, this is further evidence that there might be a static issue with TouchID.

I understand that not everybody is having a problem with TouchID but it is not likely that everybody is using the same screen protector, same case, 100.00% comparable hardware and same skin as everybody else. (In other words, I believe it is possible that certain iPhones have grounding issues or certain people have more issues with static build-up - if for no other reason than living in cold, arrid Idaho like I do.)   

I have created a new post on the topic and those who choose to may follow-up as I test this out:

http://trialsandtribstech.blogspot.com/2013/12/problems-with-touch-id-removing-y our.html

Thanks Joe.  Just to update for those having a similar issue, I actually had to have my phone replaced today at the Apple store.

Despite my reticence, I was having so many problems with TID I decided to delete my right thumb prints that had been working since October and tried to start from scratch.  When a new right thumb print didn't work right out of the gate I knew I had a bigger problem.  I decided to take the nuclear option and restore the phone (from DFU mode no less) and set up as-new.  So, completely clean install of firmware and iOS 7.0.4.  Still had intermittent TID, with "try again" until passcode unlock 3 out of 4 times.  FIgured it must be a hardware issue now.

Went to the Apple store and was given a replacement without much question after I told the Apple Genius the phone was already restored and set up as-new and was still failing, which I was able to demonstrate for her. She said she had seen it a few times before, but didn't give a lot of detail.  I forgot to check the manufacture date on the box, but it shipped with iOS 7.0.3, so it's definitely more recent than the one I had. Serial number starts with DN (but so did the last one I had, so not sure that makes any difference).

Set up TID right there in store with single print (right thumb).  Worked perfectly.  Got home and restored from backup.  Still works perfectly.  I'll see how it works over the next few days, but perhaps I did have defective hardware causing the complete failures.  Keeping my fingers crossed!

Griswaldo4g wrote:

 

I have also watched the video (and completed the steps) as of today and am already having problems again. While at this point I can't say for sure if it is a problem with static as I have suggested, it seems to me like there is more going on here than just user error.

 

One thing I am going to try (to see if I can corroborate my own anecdotal evidence) is setting up and using TID in the method described by the video (except without a case). Perhaps maintaining contact with the metal chassis of the iPhone as I am using TID will resolve the issue. If it does, this is further evidence that there might be a static issue with TouchID.

 

I understand that not everybody is having a problem with TouchID but it is not likely that everybody is using the same screen protector, same case, 100.00% comparable hardware and same skin as everybody else. (In other words, I believe it is possible that certain iPhones have grounding issues or certain people have more issues with static build-up - if for no other reason than living in cold, arrid Idaho like I do.)  

How would static buildup explain the fact that TID works perfectly immediately after scanning and then degrades over time until it no longer reads the fingerprint? It seems to me that while the level of static in the body is not static over time, it would ebb and flow, and not be a linear increase in static such that it has an inverse relationship degrading TID operability.

Applying Occam's Razor I simply do not see how static could be the cause of what seems to be clearly a software issue, most likely the learning capacity of TID not working as advertized.

To Joe_Fo, even with following your scanning method, I am still getting a decrease in functionality over time. My print lasts about 2 days before crapping out completely, and within a day I begin to get decreased capacity to work, i.e. the phone does not open up immediately as it did right after scanning, it might open up within the 5 attempts allotted by iOS or it might not. I rescanned a fingerprint yesterday, today it is degraded as I have just described, tomorrow I am sure it will not work.

.

I agree with you that static varies over time but I have not experienced the linear progression of symptoms like you have... Sometimes I have been able to go a week before resetting and other times only a few hours.

I also agree that the simplest solution is typically the best one. Having said that, I disagree that it is "clearly a software issue". Many people claim to this day to have no issues with TID - if it was solely a software issue it would be happening to near everyone or be easily resolved by doing a full restore.

The fact is nobody seems to no for sure what is causing the problem but I can at least say I have done my research... This doesn't mean I am right but if people are having continuous problems it might be worth it to find out if I am.

Griswaldo4g wrote:

 

Having said that, I disagree that it is "clearly a software issue". Many people claim to this day to have no issues with TID - if it was solely a software issue it would be happening to near everyone or be easily resolved by doing a full restore.

That's not necessarily true. Software problems can be caused by different configurations, settings, combinations of apps, etc. So problems might appear only for a certain subset of users even when the software is to blame.

Griswaldo4g wrote:

 

 

 

The fact is nobody seems to no for sure what is causing the problem but I can at least say I have done my research... This doesn't mean I am right but if people are having continuous problems it might be worth it to find out if I am.

Withn that being said, you would agree, I'm sure that from a scientific perspective, our anecdotal experiences are fairly useless.

Dooly noted... Admittedly it would still be a software-related issue if were a problem with static anyway - in as much as static would effect a reading which would in turn effect the software updating the data stored on the A7.

They are useless as long as our phones continue not to work properly... If I am dead wrong (which is very possible), I will only be out 13 bucks for a bumper case that I sort of wanted anyway. If I am right, it validates my ability to apply some of my electronics training in college.