Unable to activate Touch ID on iPhone

I had the exact same problem for some days.

My Touch ID was already not working, but when I updated to the latest beta version I started getting this "Unable to activate Touch ID" message and my battery started draining like crazy, even when I was on airplane mode.

As an Engineer, my guess is that the new iOS is constantly trying to activate the Touch ID, ending up being in a repeated loop, where the Touch ID can not be activated and the home button overheats, leading to extreme usage of battery power.

I tried many things and finally I found a solution for my phone.

I made a rollback to the latest stable iOS version and now my battery life is back to normal.

Problem Solved. just do a force reset by pressing the wake/sleep key & Home button for up to 15 seconds then release until you see the apple logo. the next boot up will show you "ID requires when restart" and go to settings you'll find your registered fingerprints.

I had the same issue two weeks back. I contacted Apple support for help, based on their suggestions, I have tried all the options, but nothing helped. Finally visited apple store and the support engineer did complete erase of firmware and IOS. Then the problem is resolved.

I didn’t restore my configuration backup. It is ok for 2 weeks now. My phone is 6s plus. Problem started all of a sudden one day with iOS 11.0.2.

Yesterday night I happened to see the same issue again but it is automatically started working today.

Hi DAD29. I have the same problem. Just replaced my battery and that didn't work. Even on airplanemode, location service off, all my apps closed, all my notifications off and screen off my battery only lastst a couple of hours, no more than four. I have the latest version of iOS, in settings I can not put 'iPhone unlock' 'or iTunes &App store' on, all my fingerprints are removed and when i try to make new ones it says 'failed unable to complete touch ID setup. Please go back and try again. I don't mind that my touch ID isn't working but my battery is a big problem. Have you found a solution yet?

Regards,

Matt

aagrawal28 wrote:

I am having the same problem. It was working fine and suddenly it started showing me the error. Looking for a response from apple. I have a iphone 6. version 11.12

If you are looking for a response from Apple, you will need to let Apple know you have a problem. Either make an appointment at the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or use the Contact Support link at the top right of every page of these forums.

This is a user-to-user support forum. Apple's participation here is minimal.

Issue resolved after complete erase of firmware and IOS and restore in apple store.

I Have same problem last night picked up phone 6 to use it and home button was so hot no other part of phone was hot, the all of a sudden battery went from 3/4 charged to almost dead little bit of red line charge left. Then each time I tried to open phone I had to put passcode in as Touch ID wasn't working. I charged over night and tried to reset my Touch ID this morning but it just keeps giving me the error message unable to complete Touch ID set up. Also when I turn off then on the phone it says unable to activate Touch ID on this phone.

Similar problem after 10.3.2 update. Managed the first time with a total reboot. Then stopped working again after 4 hours and would not let me re add fingerprints. Have wasted hours trying to resolve this. It's just not good enough of apple to keep wheeling out solutions that don't work. I don't have the battery issue just the loss of fingerprint recognition. If it's a update issue please just tell us!!!

Same problem and such a stupid answer.

Just about 30 minutes ago, my phone started to not recognize the touch ID.

I tried rebooting, but the touch id is turned off and i can't turn it on again. Getting an error message.

Googled everywhere and the same copy & paste answers - clean your surface blah blah. As if we don't even know how this thing works.

Major bug apple. Don't pretend it's not there.

Get a fix for it now.

Over 2200 people have not posted in this thread saying they have this problem. That number of people have clicked a button saying they have the same question as the OP. That means that we know that they are interested in the question. And nothing else. However, given the number of iPhones with TouchID that are currently in use, I wouldn't be surprised if that number is well with in the statistically expected number to currently be having hardware problems.

What Kilted Tim pointed out is true: "If" this is a hardware issue that someone is having, waiting for an update is pointless. There is nothing insulting about that suggestion.

I have this question too; the touch id stopped working yesterday and no attempts at rebooting, or even going into settings works. it just says, "Touch ID cannot be activated on this iPhone" the second it boots up. It doesn't even try.

It's definitely not my home button because I get the error before even touching it.

Apple should fix this because as of now, I can't/ won't buy anything from iTunes or the App Store.

Surely they don't want that, right?

1. Make sure that you have the latest version of iOS.
2. Make sure that your fingers and the Home button are clean and dry.1 For the Home button, use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe off any dirt or debris.
3. Your finger should cover the Home button completely, touching the surrounding metal ring. While Touch ID is scanning, you shouldn't tap too quickly or move your finger around.
4. If you're using a case or screen protector, make sure it doesn't cover the Home button or the surrounding ring.
5. Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode and make sure that iPhone Unlock or iTunes & App Store is on, and 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 or Apple Authorized Service Provider, or contact Apple Support.

About the battery usage on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Maximizing Battery Life and Lifespan

Yes, I am sure that is what is must be. Over 2200 people who have posting about the same problem are having the same exact hardware issue. Your first response then is to insult their intelligence. For “goodness’s sake” please, please, grow up.

As many other pple is facing the same problem. i had the same issue of error message saying Unable to activate touch id on this iPhone and the battery is drainage like crazy since update new iOS 10 and now 11.2 still having the same problem not resolve. i thought it could be battery wearing out.

pls share with me how did you rollback the iOS ?

thk you

I'm having the same issue. Woke up this morning to the phone asking me for a pin after restarting. I assumed it had done an update to 10.3.1

Can't be sure as it sometimes restarts randomly.

Then it pops up saying