Q: Touch ID is broken after update to iOS 7.1

Probably because it was marginal, and the new enhanced software for Touch ID drove it over the edge.

If it's software why doesn't my phone have the problem?

And if its software why does replacing the phone fix it?

I've seen well under 100 reports of this problem since iOS 7.1 was released.

And why aren't there thousands of posts about it, as there are when real bugs are found in a release, as there were for this, with over 12,000 posts: iPhone 4s Battery Life? And even that one affected only a small percentage of users.

There have been a steady stream of reports of Touch ID failures since the 5S first came out, so it is a somewhat touchy technology (no pun intended). Apple has been replacing phones for this failure pretty steadily.

I posted here earlier with agreement that Touch ID didn't work after install of OS 7.1.

I just finished a 'chat' with Apple Support and my issue was resolved by doing a "reset all".

Go to >Settings>General>Reset>Reset All Settings.

The reset….Resets all the personalized settings on the Iphone.

You will need to reset the Ringers and tones and the Wi-Fi password

I already tried a reset all.

Tried a back up and restore and tried setting up a new phone.

Nothing works.

I have an appointment at the Genius Bar.

Will see what they can do.

Same ! I've reset everything and restored but it still hasn't fixed the problem. It appears to be an intermittent fault though because it works perfectly sometimes but then doesn't work at all. I can't add new fingerprints. It's clearly a software problem as it only started after I updated to iOS 7.1.

I've got an appointment with at the Genius Bar on Sunday.

I have spent time in 5 sessions of "Chat" and "Phone" support with Apple (over 3 hours on computer and phone). Late last night I did a Restore and it worked until approx 10 am this morning. While on the chat this morning, while attempting various approaches, the Touch ID worked until I did an edit in the settings to change from "Finger 1" label to "Right Thumb" and for the other labels in the bank. Touch ID immediately quit working. I laid it down on the desk top while conversing with support and after a few minutes, I changed the labels back to the generic "Finger 1" etc. Touch ID started to work.

However, when attempting to add another finger, the sensor would not recoginze that it was being touched. At that time Touch ID would not allow opening the iPhone (from off). Again laid the iPhone down and after about 5 minutes I was able to pick up the iPhone and access via Touch ID. I immediately went to the "Add another finger..." and the sensor started to work, but quit partway through the process. From "off" condition, Touch ID would not work.

Conclusion is that temperature matters (being held warms up the iPhone and sensor, laid on the desk allows it to cool); this to me indicates a sensor, hardware issue that was exacerbated when OS 7.1 was installed.

I have an Expedited Replacement process in the works. I'm not doing anymore troubleshooting at this point. Currently Touch ID is working when used straight from the holster, for at least one fingerprint (all other fingerprints have been removed).

I'm not sure if this observation is true for others, but I found just being more careful not to move my finger while I'm performing a touch ID seems to make a difference. If I'm careless and in a hurry, then more often than not it fails. If I'm more deliberate and steady putting my finger down, so it doesn't move, then it seems to work more reliably.

I had 7.0 and had grown frustrated with its lack of recognition. I deleted all my scans before performing a 7.1 upgrade and now it seems better after scanning both thumbs and index fingers. At first it was no better, recognizing the first time or two, and then seeming to be broken. Now when I take my time putting my finger (or thumb, either hand) down, it seems to be working 90% of the time. YMMV.

I'll check back if it breaks again.

Try deleting the Touch ID Prints and then putting all the ones you had registered back on. It should work as I have had this problem numorous times.

sigh....sad that apple is releasing to the market such kind of buggy OS. I was happy with 5S and iOS 7. Now I am ****** and frustrated about my 5S and iOS 7.1...dammm

i have iphone 5s here in the uk, my touch id was fine until update, now sensors won't work, i contacted apple, the guy told me to restore phone with back up, nothing happened, then i did a restore to a new phone, again nothing happened, he told me to take it into my local apple store, i get on the touch id page the phone unlock and itunes-app store buttons are unchecked, i click on them and it jumps straightaway onto the place your finger screen, you cant see the buttons actually been checked, cos it does it so fastm i then try my prints, nothing happens, no buzz no vibration. i have tried with phone plugged into charger, and without, nothing, i have tried many times and on the odd occasion it has buzzed once or twice got a couple of red marks on, then it freezes, deleted prints and tried again, nothing, come on apple listen up to us guys, and give us a fix

Apple gave you the fix. Your phone is broken. Apple will replace it. You cannot fix broken hardware with software.

I delete all Touch IDs, restored phone from backup, and the sensor only works when it is plugged into an USB, either in my MacBook or wall charger. I tested the sensor several times and this is the behavior I noticed. I guess we should get a 7.1.1 update soon.

Hi,

Touch ID not working sometimes.Sometimes its not even try to scan  finger, i need to type the passcode to unlock ,but when i try later it  will work,And it will stop working again.I tried reseting the phone  ,added new finger prints still same issue.Problem started after the  software upgrade to 7.1.It was working fine with old version  7.0.x.Somebody please help ...

Just wanna say that apple is looking into this, i was contacted by their engineering team and they are trying to figure out why this is happening.

Hopefully it will be sorted soon

hopefully Fingerscrossed :/

I live in Brazil and the model here is only selling the A1457. and my model is the A1533. they did not exchange my iphone