Q: Touch ID being Erratic

Yesterday I enrolled my left thumb with a hybrid of my method for the first 10 scans, and Apple's edge of finger scans, cleaning and drying everything, grounded anti-static mat and all. However this time I left the Apple case on as I've already tried days ago without the case with not much luck.

I did not use my newly added left thumb nor test it in the add a fingerprint screen. 24 hours later, tip and edges of the tip enrolled in the Apple pictured angled method, failed 100% on first attempt.  When I've tested this in the past, fingertip and angled fingertip at least worked for a short time before failing when used shortly after enrolling.  The area following my method works, but not as far from the centerline as I'd have expected it to. 

Lastly, my right thumb enrolled Dec 1 has been reduced to a smaller area as well after adding the second thumb, however a retrain session has brought it back to normal.

So simply adding a second finger, but not using it for the first 24 hours, for me, causes problems. Perhaps it's my less than printine fingerprints. 

Going back to one scan of one thumb only, It's the only thing that has worked for me flawlessly. Waiting for 7.1.

Do you think Apple are aware of this problem, if so how can they release something this buggy?

They released Apple Maps

Many do not have a problem with TID.

I have just noticed that if my finger is only being recognised in the centre, I can increase the area that is recognised. Go to touch ID screen and when you find the spot that the fingerprint is recognised, move your finger a tiny bit. The finger may not be recognised the first time it is moved, go back and try again. I have widened the recognisable area quite a bit. Of course it starts to recede again unless it is done each day. What a palava.

bobcrossley wrote:

 

I have just noticed that if my finger is only being recognised in the centre, I can increase the area that is recognised. Go to touch ID screen and when you find the spot that the fingerprint

[snip]

Late to the party? Already documented in this thread, including in a reply to you 2 days ago  ;-)

Oops!

The static mat is not going to do much for you if you have an insulative case on your phone... Where the case is in direct contact with the mat the static would be grounded but, where it is not, the case is not going to discharge to the mat (because it doesn't conduct electricity - screen protectors would presumably have the same effect).

After doing my initial experiment, using the metal bumper case for a little over 24 hours after enrollment (to make sure that static isn't effecting the initial imaging), all four of my enrolled fingers work consistently using Apple's enrollment method... It has been almost a week and things are working well.

I can't say for sure that my method is going to work for everybody but, if it is going to work, it has to be done very carefully.

Griswaldo4g wrote:

 

The static mat is not going to do much for you if you have an insulative case on your phone...

[snip]

 

Thanks. Well aware.  Prior to yesterday's test, with the leather Apple case removed, the phone, and my hand, was in contact with the mat.  Yesterday's test, with the case installed, only my other hand was grounded via the mat. In both instences, TID failed for the newly enrolled finger, where my prinary Dec 1 enrolled thumb still worked, although as stated, showed degradation requiring a retrain.

Again, prints vary wildly. Mine are fairly worn down over many decades, perhaps why the Apple method fails for me.

It should be pointed out to all here that, the Apple prompts DO state to move the finger _slightly_ which is not what you'll see a lot of early reviewers do on YouTube, where they randomly place their finger during registration.  Perhaps that's why so many negative reviews blossomed in the early days, and some picked up this thread and ran with it to validate their position.

No Grasshopper, the sky is not falling.  But, some of them love to sensationalize, and I doubt print retractions because, they're never wrong. 

There is sensationalization and there is accepting the fact that technology has its limitations. I, like others, am most comfortable with Apple technology, to the point that I am willing to accept its limitations and put in some extra effort to deal with them.

And, yes, I do want people to read my blog and view my Youtube videos too, but the way to get people to do that is through respectful participation in the community, not by writing other peoples' theories off without giving them a thorough investigation... I am not going to print a retraction if it actually seems to work if you do it right.

Griswaldo4g wrote:

 

[snip]

I am not going to print a retraction if it actually seems to work if you do it right.

Jon,

My apologies: I wasn't referring to you or the valuable info you've provided here. 

In the very, very early days of this thread, and the self-serving postings here and in financial on-line sites by some, is what I meant.

It was somewhat of a rant after a very bad day and wasn't directed to you, hence the "It should be pointed out to all here" comment.  Should have made it a post to myself, or had dinner and a drink or three and kept it to myself.  Sorry.

Hi Joe;

Here's my update. I went to Apple store and they gave me a new iPhone 5s. Scanned thumbs (left & right) as per your excellent video.  Worked flawlessly for 4 or 5 days and then gradual degradation until left thumb fails 70% of the time and right thumb fails 50% of the time.

At this point I believe I've spent too much time on this.  I'll be turning OFF TID and going back to passcode to unlock my phone.

I can't speak for others experiences with TID but I've been monitoring these threads and it appears many people are experiencing something similar to what I have, and many other do not.

My guess is TID is very sensitive to body & environmental conditions, and eventually the fix will be in iOS ...

For now I'll be warning my clients that for them TID may be problematic and to be careful if upgrading to a 5s if only for this function.

Stephen Hess

Santa Fe, NM

No worries Joe, the holiday rush is getting to me a bit so I am sorry if I have stepped on your toes in any way as well.

I am with Sgh_aba though... If my TID doesn't continue to work, I am going to turn it off.

Sgh_aba wrote:

 

[snip]

 

At this point I believe I've spent too much time on this.  I'll be turning OFF TID and going back to passcode to unlock my phone.

 

[snip]

Stephen Hess

Santa Fe, NM

Hi Stephen,

Before giving up on it entirely, please try just enrolling one finger. It does work, at least for me and my wife, and I think others as well.

I fully agree there's something major wrong with TID, and it's sad it has taken so long for a fix.  However, I have no problems when only using one of the five slots and the method I've outlined. It just works. This was after going through the same grief as others.  While waiting for a S/W fix, I'm not going back to a complex passcode unless I really have to.

-Joe

Griswaldo4g wrote:

 

No worries Joe, the holiday rush is getting to me a bit so I am sorry if I have stepped on your toes in any way as well.

 

Not an issue at all. Any idea that improves TID until Apple fixes it is welcome.