iPhone 6 Plus touch id not working

For me, Touch ID doesn't work when plugged in...it does work when not plugged in. (this is a new iPhone out of the box yesterday). Im plugged in to a standard lightning cable and into USB on my Mac.

>>>>> [Try removing the case from the phone, and hold the iPhone in your hand, ...and make sure you are using a new USB lightning cable plugged in to an apple device or the original apple converter (square block plug)]

For me, unplugged: touch ID works every time; plugging it in, touch ID works intermittently maybe 1 of 20 trys. Its like it doesn't see the presence of a finger.

I reset all my finger prints -no improvement.

I called Apple care. During my call with Apple-care, one of the first 5 questions they asked me was "does this problem occur when plugged-in or not" --(obviously they know of some issue). ...... they made me hard-reset and also Erase all data and reload. After reload of my data, still have the problem... in fact it could not perform the Touch ID Setup activity while plugged in.

I tried multiple lightning cables. Reset again as a "new phone"... the touch ID was still intermittently not working during the Touch ID Setup.

I finally removed my case (silicone apple case) ... It turns out that possibly there is an electrical grounding problem with iPhone 6. When my hand is touching the back metal case of the phone, the touch ID works even when plugged in. If I am not touching the metal case on the back, touch ID has problems when plugged in.

Hi, ATorresN.

Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.

Here is an article that I would recommend taking a look at for this issue.

Get help with Touch ID

1. Make sure that you're using the latest version of iOS.
2. Make sure that your fingers and the Home button are clean and dry.*
3. Cover the Home button completely. Don't tap too quickly, don't press down hard, and don't move your finger while Touch ID is scanning. Make sure that your finger touches the metal ring around the Home button.
4. If you're using a case or screen protector, make sure it doesn't cover the Home button or the surrounding ring. If it does, remove the case or screen protector and try again.
5. Tap Settings > Touch ID & Passcode and make sure that iPhone Unlock or iTunes & App Store is on. Also make sure that you've enrolled one or more fingerprints.
6. Try enrolling a different finger.
7. If you can't enroll any of your fingers, take your device to an Apple Retail Store, Apple Authorized Service Provider, or contact AppleCare for help.

* Moisture, lotions, sweat, oils, cuts, or dry skin might affect fingerprint recognition. Certain activities can also temporarily affect fingerprint recognition, including exercising, showering, swimming, cooking, or other conditions or changes that affect your fingerprint.

Use Touch ID on iPhone and iPad

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5883

Cheers,

Jason H.

My iphone 6 has repeatedly had the same issue. Two iOS updates ago seemed to fix the issue. Now, on iOS 8.1.3 and the touch ID suddenly stopped working this morning.

BUT! I made a discovery. Under the same settings (same place, clean hands, seconds apart), touch ID failed when the phone was charging (using Apple original cable/charger), Didn't even recognize that I had a finger on the home button and prompted me to swipe to the passcode entry.

However, Touch ID WORKED when I unplugged the phone.

Plugged back in, touch ID failed to work again.

Ocean 17, I had the same problem. Erase, re-fingerprint, get success, then - nothing. Following the suggestions of others that posted to this thread, I took my IPhone back to AT&T and explained the problem. They had never seen, or heard of the problem, but replaced my phone with a new one. I told them they needed to get on this site and follow IPhone threads. The new one works better, but my fingers must be dry and clean in order for touch ID to work. My thumbs seem to be the biggest challenge, but the first finger on both hands seems to work fine.

Also, there is a short period of time that AT&T will do any warranty work (maybe a couple of weeks) after the initial purchase. After that, you take yours to the Apple store and they will replace it.

Hope this helps. I agree that Apple has not got this dialed in, but biometrics are the way to go. They better get this fixed, because it is a deal breaker for anyone considering IPhone because of their touted biometric technology.

Cheers

I stumbled on a workaround for the no touch id whatsoever problem yesterday. My touch id was completely gone again so I went to the setup screen to make sure. If you touch the sensor in setup, the finger you have set up in touch id will highlight if it is recognized. Nothing. So I was sitting there thinking, with my finger still resting on the sensor. About 30 seconds to a minute later all of a sudden the set up finger in the touch id highlighted. After that it highlighted immediately every time I touched the sensor and touch id was again working on the phone.

Unfortunately this only seems to work on the setup screen, not the lock screen, and it only revives touch id for a little while. Still it is less time-consuming than reentering a finger in setup.

I had the same issue but I think I was either a) moving my finger when pressing ever so slightly b) not holding my finger still long enough or c) I wasn't completely covering the home button

Every attempt I have made (while ensuring finger/home button is clean) has worked after I held my finger completely still for a few seconds while completely covering the home button.

I have the same ...BUT..... I found that when I deleted all exsisting finger prints and then added just one everything seems to be working just fine .. at writing this I have not added another print as the one at this time seems to be fine. I hope this may help others with the same problem.

UPDATE:

I just replaced my iPhone 6 and Touch ID is now working flawlessly with iOS 8.4.

Replace those faulty phones people if you still have warranty or AppleCare+.

iPhone 6

128GB

Space Gray

Went back to the Apple store yesterday, 12/28 and asked for a phone with some version of IOS prior to 8.1.2, The technician told me that the TouchID issue has been "acknowledged" by Apple and it will be fixed in the next iOS release that will be out "soon". I don't know where Apple has acknowledged it, since I still see nothing about it in the tech press, but that's what she said.

OS 8.1.3 MAY BE the answer.

I just upgraded to OS 8.1.3 yesterday and reprogrammed my fingers. It's been working for nearly 24 hours now, which is about 23.5 hours longer than it has been for the past couple of months. Maybe 8.1.3 fixed this issue (fingers crossed).

this fix worked for me

How to fix Touch ID not working in iOS 8.3

1. Launch Settings on your iPhone or iPad
2. Tap on Touch ID & Passcode
3. Enter your Passcode or Password
4. Toggle iTunes & App Store to OFF
5. Press the Home button to return to the Home screen.
6. Reboot your iPhone or iPad. (Here's how)
7. Enter your Passcode or Password at the Lock screen
8. Launch Settings on your iPhone or iPad
9. Tap on Touch ID & Passcode
10. Enter your Passcode or Password
11. Toggle iTunes & App Store to ON

That should fix any issues with using Touch ID to authorize App Store or iTunes Store purchases.

Update: Nearly 2 weeks since I upgraded to OS 8.1.3 and reprogrammed by finger prints. Still working!!

I also called apple and they got me to delete all fingerprints and restart phone...etc

No change so they said backup and restore..... after deleting data and messing with iCloud to make space for a backup i finally ran one.

Then the next day before i managed to do the restore it suddenly started working for the double touch and i've added my fingers back in and it seems to be back to it's old self.

Maybe i got lucky? or maybe a back up helps somehow or removing all fingers then restarting...etc

I'll monitor and post if the gremlins come back.

Hi,

had exact same problem with 6+, called Apple support USA, was advised to use iTunes and restore phone.

this upgrade got stuck in middle, now phone is a brick as soon as it turns on, it gives iTunes logo to connect phone.

upon connectio, it says phone needs to be restored or updated, which fails with same error 53.

so the phone has become useless and Apple is unable to support or fix it.

so I would suggest, live with non-working Touch ID but don't restore.

br,

mansoor.

There is only one solution:

Replace screen/touch ID combo.

I had all those troubles.

Then I dropped my phone - the screen glass shattered.

I had a new screen installed and this comes with a touch id sensor - they are one unit.

Since then touch ID worked flawlessly.

If you are still under warranty, get an appointment at the Bar and have it replaced (don't go to a real bar and use the money on whisky. Won't help. Use it to get a new screen / touch ID combo)