Q: Touch ID being Erratic

Mine has the same problem like u all.

Hope the upcoming update will fix it.

Now I switch off TID.

Samuel

I've been testing my new print enrollment method for the last 4 days and I have not had a failed scan yet which is unprecedented.

I usually unlock with either my right or left thumb. My method may or may not help you but it has all but solved my TID problem.

Goto TID settings and delete all scans.

Register right thumb as you normally would following Apple's on screen instructions.

Now, start registering your left thumb the same way but here's the twist.

Start left thumb by scanning left thumb, then put your right thumb on and let it confirm-vibrate, then do the left, then the right again, alternating back and forth until the scan finishes and you're done.

I would have posted this method earlier but I wanted to test it for a few days to keep from possibly wasting others time. Your mileage may vary so keep that in mind. It has allowed me to start enjoying the TID feature again.

This is my original early build 5s by the way.

I had filed a bug report and I will add this to it.

Let me know if this helps you.

Merry Christmas

Just tried it. Working like a dream so far.

It's different for me at least. I agree that double registering works fine for a day or so but will eventually begin to fail. This two-finger scanning under single registration at least seems to work for me for four days now. Not sure what's going on with this but I am sure the logics of the TID are closely guarded secrets and we will most likely never know but thousands and possibly millions of users trying different methods that work and those that don't that Apple can use said information to help refine it.

Wait, you did what? You can't mix your thumbs up like that. That's the software's job!

Interesting idea. Would be more interesting to see how many days you can go.

Curious; have you tried testing your fingers on the registration screen to see which thumb is picked up by which entry?

Also have you ever tried just using one thumb? I've tried multiple thumbs, multiple fingers, and the only thing that works well for me is one thumb. Of course, everyone is going to be different with different fingerprints of course.

Okay, answered my own question. I added my left thumb, right thumb mix to my right thumb from 12/1.

Registration screen only shows the mixed left right thumb combo. Older right thumb only is no longer recognized.

I followed my methodical method only alternating between left and right thumb. It was interesting, I got more then the usual 10 scans before adjust grip prompt showed up. I also stayed away from the tip.

So far, after a few unlocks, it's still working for both. Hmmmmm.

Joe_Fo wrote:

 

I've tried multiple thumbs, multiple fingers, and the only thing that works well for me is one thumb. Of course, everyone is going to be different with different fingerprints of course.

Yup, that is the only thing that's worked for me.  Replaced my phone December 8.  I registered one thumb in the Apple Store on initial setup without even taking that much care to do it the "proper" way. When I got home I restored from my backup (but kept same single thumb print setup in the store) and it's working darn close to 100% since.  I can get it to unlock in any orientation, upside-down, you name it. I haven't even tried adding another print, as from past experience (and based on Joe_Fo's and others' observations) that will cause TID to fail.  And therein lies the predominant software issue.  I am convinced that those not experiencing any problems with TID have only one print set up; probably the one done on initial setup of the phone after purchase.

I'm also pretty convinced I was having some hardware-related issue with the sensor on my last phone because I'd regularly get periods of time where Touch ID would completely stop working (i.e. "try again" until I had to enter passcode) and then it would suddenly come back after some indeterminate period of time (even with only one print AND after a complete restore and setup phone "as-new" with no apps installed).  I have not had that issue since I got the new phone, even with exactly the same software configuration.  For those experiencing this issue you ought to seriously consider getting your phone replaced. This is as opposed to the more common degradation of the print issue, for which I think we'll just have to wait for a software update.  In the meantime, stick with only one print as Joe had suggested. Two or more and TID will not reliably work.

any response from apple yet ??

Service center (in thailand) refuse to replace iphone.

my iphone can't even enroll any finger print including Apple Expert's finger but he says its a software problem you have to wait.

I said "untill 7.1 comes out ??"  He said "I don't know but you have to wait"

Sorry for bad english complaint

5 days now without having to re-register my thumbs. Index fingers are failing quite a bit now and going to two-finger register under a single finger those today and see what happens. The thumbs are a little finicky after a good hand washing but ends up working on second scan. Previously, clean thumbs would be 100% failure period unless I registered a separate print just after hand washing.

Ok, just did single composite of my index fingers.

I've noticed my Touch ID getting worse too over the past week or so.  It used to work quite well in the beginning but now it fails often.  I hope Apple addresses this in the next update.

Had my month old i phone 5s replaced at the Apple Genius Bar due to a dead spot on the screen and also told them about my constant  poor touch ID problems with the old phone.   The new phone is just as bad with either of my thumbs, BUT since this phone downloaded the 7.0.4 software and then I registered Only my left index finger using  the Jo_Fo method - TID  is working remarkably well - at least so far ie only a few days.  Why this phone is so much better  on TID with my index finger is a mystery to me??

I have my iPhone 5s for about two weeks now and all is working fine including the Touch ID, until i noticed from last week up to now that my touch id is not working consistently. I tried to re-enroll my fingers (knowing the proper ways to enroll my finger) i also watched youtube videos regarding enrolling and also read many threads about this issue. Including Apple's official tip. What gets me frustated is that i also enrolled my finger to my brother's 1 month old iphone 5s and it is working fine even my finger is a little sweaty it still recognizes my finger. Not like to my own phone i always have to wipeout the sensor to be able to read my finger and sometimes still can't read after all. My brother also enrolled his finger to my touch id and he also notice that it fails to read his finger more than his own phone. In percentage it's like 99% working fine to his phone and just 30% to mine. I also tried to enroll different finger and still experience the same problem. The MOST effective solution i did i put a small piece of scatch tape on the touch id (make sure it is inserted nice like when puttinh a screen protector on a screen. Make sure there's no bubbles when placing it) and it's now working well even i tried to wet my finger with water a little bit still able to read. I got no problem until now but still i can't help to think that i know that it's not working well without the scatch tape on it. And why it's working fine to my brother's phone without the tape and without doing anything!? (I also tried to reset all settings but no luck)

In conclussion, my phone's sensor is TOO sensitive than my brother's and i think than others' too. I also tried to enroll my 1.finger twice ( finger 1 and finger 2) works for an hour and now not working again after. the most effective way for it to work 100% is to put a small piece or scatch tape which is thinner than a clear or matte screen protector, and is transparent).

PS i have the silver one and my brother got Space Grey. If anyone has a silver/gold 5s having the issue please let me know. I'm also considering that it might be a color differences when it come to sensor. Maybe space grey works better than silver and gold when it comes to TID? Who knows right?

I got a new phone straight from Apple a week or so ago.  They told me the TID was a hardware problem.  It works no better than the first one.  It is gold so I doubt the color is the issue.  Someone on here, way back, said something about if the S/N started with DN it was from one of the factories that has had trouble with their sensors. The phone I have now starts with DN but the first one started with FI.  I have tried many ways to enroll my fingers and nada.  I even tried the one suggestion of enrolling both thumbs at the same time, scanning them alternatively and guess what, it worked for about 3 days!  So I guess that tells you right there that something is wrong with the way the scanner scans a print properly.  I, too, have talked to others who have no problem with their Touch ID so have no clue what to do next.  Originally I was going to take back my phone to the place I bought it (Future Shop in Canada, but I think it is Best Buy in the US) as I bought a warranty that covers everything except damage from dropping it or water damage if it gets wet.  They even ordered me another.  When I went to check to see if it was in we talked and they and I agreed I should phone Apple to see if it was a hardware issue.  They phoned me a couple of days before I got my new phone from Apple and got it in and they are going to try to hang on to it till I see what Apple says about this 2nd phone.  Apple made an appt. to call me on the 26th to see if my issue has been fixed.  I will get back to you all when I know anything else.