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Joe_Fo Author

Level 1

30 points

5s Fingerprint unlock problem solved

Like several (many?) here, I've had 5s fingerprint unlock issues since launch. Works

for 1 or 2 days only, requiring a re-scan.

I've finally solved the issue I've been having. Very simple fix...

I had been using the end of my finger only, with the very end slightly

over the far end of the sensor, varying the rotation between training scans.

This worked well for unlocking, but sadly failed over time.

My fix, which hopefully works for others: Use a thicker part of the finger.

It didn't take much, just stay away from the end of the finger. I also

moved more during training than the "move slightly" prompt you get

if you don't move enough.

So far I'm on day 4 and have not had any failures where I had

to resort to using the passcode.

If you have unlock problems, and this works for you, please

let others know to help spread the word.

HTH,

-Joe

iPhone 5s

Posted on Oct 14, 2013 10:38 AM

37 replies

Nov 9, 2013 9:44 AM in response to Joe_Fo

Rescanning several times including edges and tip of finger did not improve recognition rate. Rescanning with the center of the fingerprint whorl on the center of the button, and positioning the same way during unlock, worked much more consistently. I wonder if age has anything to do with it. When I had fingerprints done recently I was told they might be rejected because some of them were too smooth- fingerprints worn off with age, especially where R thumb meets R index finger.

Joe_Fo Author

Level 1

30 points

Nov 9, 2013 10:19 AM in response to ELSerrell

Doesn't matter: I've used the tip of my nose and it worked at least for a day. On YouTube someone showed a cats paw unlocking a 5S. Read the last pages on the following if you haven't already. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5400101?start=255&tstart=0

Bethii

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2013 10:25 AM in response to Joe_Fo

I don't even have an option to set up my Touch ID on my new iPhone 5s? 😟

Joe_Fo Author

Level 1

30 points

Nov 9, 2013 11:25 AM in response to Bethii

Turn on Passcode if you haven't already settings ->touch ID & passcode (fingerprint & passcode if <IOS 7.0.3) then touch ID from the above screen. Turn on iPhone Unlock and iTunes & App Store then Add a Fingerprint making sure not to use the very tip of a finger described earlier in this thread, and follow the link to the other thread for additional info.

Failing that, call Apple or visit an a Apple store for help.

There's also the User Guide manual on using the phone in PDF format on the Apple support site...

Bethii

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2013 11:38 AM in response to Joe_Fo

when I go into Settings > General > Password. It doesn't say fingerprint & password, it only says password, there is no option for touch ID. And I can confirm it is a 5S.

Joe_Fo Author

Level 1

30 points

Nov 9, 2013 12:07 PM in response to Bethii

Are you running IOS 7.0.3? If not, upgrade to it.

JonW

Level 1

44 points

Nov 15, 2013 4:38 PM in response to Joe_Fo

Thanks, Joe this helped a lot. Still having an occasional failure to recognize, but not as many.

For me, I get fewer "try again" messages if I open with the sleep button and then scan. Thinking that when I scan after waking from the home button the finger either moves or is a little distorted from the push.

I do wonder why there seems to be a time component. Once it works, I can get one good scan after another. But with time between the scans (20 min? 60 min?) I have more of a chance to miss. Thinking Apples learning algorithm is running backwards-- it's a forgetting algorithm (just kidding!)

So thanks again for the instructions!

Nov 15, 2013 10:43 PM in response to Joe_Fo

There is something in my opinion seriously wrong with the recognition. Both I and my wife have a 5s and both of us experience issues. I don't believe this is a coincidence that two phones bought within 7 days of each other are displaying the same symptoms. We can learn our prints and everything works reliably for a random period of time - then suddenly it becomes hit and miss, and eventually won't work again. It is so bad that I now hardly bother to use a fingerprint and rely on the old code instead. I have not yet bothered to take to the apple store, but unless apple does say there is an issue and hopefully fixes with a software update - I will book a slot for both our phones. Somehow I don't think a replacement will fix the issue.

fliplip

Level 1

54 points

Nov 16, 2013 1:37 AM in response to satisdata

With the amount of people getting good results from the touch ID, myself included, I don't see why you think a phone swap wouldn't fix the issue.

I have 4 fingers stored on mine and never get a try again message. Take the phones back, they are obviously not working right.

JonW

Level 1

44 points

Nov 16, 2013 6:12 AM in response to satisdata

i was having really poor recognition until I changed the way I scanned my thumbs. I had been using my thumb at a rather steep angle--almost using the tip. I erased these scans and scanned a more central flat spot. more or less under the fingernail. Now I have been getting 100% for over 1 day, which is record for me!

fliplip

Level 1

54 points

Nov 16, 2013 9:12 AM in response to JonW

I must say I'm surprised that some people use the tips of their fingers.

I've seen so many films/TV shows etc that show fingerprint ID as placing the flat part of the finger or thumb on the scanner that it seemed natural to do this, even though the phone does ask for the outer edges as well.

I do have one finger scanned with the emphasis on the tip, as I use that finger to open the phone if it's laying flat on a desk. That's works fine but I do need to be a bit more careful with that.

Maybe that's just me though, but whatever, it's worked from the start.

Joe_Fo Author

Level 1

30 points

Nov 16, 2013 12:31 PM in response to fliplip

Not all prints are the same. People who have had it work from day one either registered their prints "correctly" or have enough unique ridges to satisfy the algorithm used. Some of us, long time iphone users, no doubt used the same angled thumb to register the print initially, and that does not work. It's ingrained after many years of use.

There's an old acronym, GIGO, or "Garbage In Garbage Out". Without enough unique areas of the fingerprint registered, the learning algorithm seems to have to wing it and makes things worse. At least that's how it appears to me.

The initial registration is critical to achieve good results. There are some S/W related bugs showing up however, and at least one workaround I know of, documented in the "Erratic" thread (pulling down the Control Panel) which hopefully will be fixed in the next update. 7.0.4 does not appear to fix it.

Anyhow, I'm glad my attempts to save others the frustration I went through initially has helped those willing to at least try it.

One last thought, also talked about in the other thread: if you have problems unlocking after washing your hands for minutes to hours, have your phone replaced. Just dried damp hands should unlock without a problem. More info can be found in that thread.

-Joe

Nov 18, 2013 8:42 AM in response to Joe_Fo

I have noticed the following with iOS version 7.0.3. After you receive a FaceTime call from the lock screen, the fingerprint sensor fails to work correctly until you use your passcode. Once the passcode is used, the sensor works again. I have seen this twice. I have not seen this with version 7.0.4. Highly recommend upgrading to the current iOS version first and then try the registering solutions I see in this post.

Ryo Chok

Level 1

0 points

Nov 21, 2013 1:26 AM in response to Joe_Fo

sometime my fingerprint is work but sometime its fail...its fail more then work...can i get your help ? please

Mdtodd1

Level 1

0 points

Nov 28, 2013 10:38 PM in response to Joe_Fo

Wife got her gold iPhone 5s yesterday. Today I tried to help her set it up and the touch I'd didn't even recognize fingers. Hers or mine. Just sat there blank. Touched the screen and said to make sure full finger is in ring. My black 5s worked great when purchased couple weeks ago and touch I'd is still working. I guess I'll have to talk to apple or return it to verizon store that we got it at. Thanks for the info on these other posts and glad it's not just her phone but bummed that there is a problem.

5s Fingerprint unlock problem solved