"Unable to activate Touch ID on this iPhone"

This is the message I receive after every restart or hard reboot. Touch ID had been working just fine on my iPhone 6s Plus with 10.2.1, but just stopped. When I go into Touch ID & Passcode, "Add a Fingerprint..." is grayed out, and all toggles for what to use Touch ID are toggled off, and when I try to change them, to on, I get the message "Failed Unable to complete Touch ID setup. Please go back and try again."


From what I can find on these forums and online (Forbes has a couple of good articles on this), I do not appear to be alone with this issue, but I have yet to see any fixes.

iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 10.2.1

Posted on Mar 2, 2017 12:13 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 17, 2018 6:37 AM

If you are unable to activate Touch ID your phone has a hardware problem. There is no solution other than to have Apple repair it. The most common cause of this error is having the screen or HOME button replaced by an unqualified technician. In this case there is nothing you can do; Apple won't touch it if it has been repaired outside of Apple's repair service.


If the screen has never been replaced then it's just a random failure; make an appointment with an Apple store or Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP): Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

112 replies

Feb 9, 2018 1:57 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

IdrisSeabright wrote:


Classic wrote:


Apple made me travel 60 miles on Saturday to see their "genius" just to make me wait for ever ,and telling me that they would email me instructions how to wipe out my phone and start again.

Apple "made" you? How, exactly, did they force you to make the trip? Did they threaten you with the vast power of the Mother Ship?

Even that doesn't "make" or "force" someone do something. A human being can not be forced to do anything against his/her will. The only thing that can be done is to advise him/her of consequences.

Feb 9, 2018 2:00 PM in response to Philly_Phan

Philly_Phan wrote:


IdrisSeabright wrote:


Classic wrote:


Apple made me travel 60 miles on Saturday to see their "genius" just to make me wait for ever ,and telling me that they would email me instructions how to wipe out my phone and start again.

Apple "made" you? How, exactly, did they force you to make the trip? Did they threaten you with the vast power of the Mother Ship?

Even that doesn't "make" or "force" someone do something. A human being can not be forced to do anything against his/her will. The only thing that can be done is to advise him/her of consequences.

Keep in mind the number of people who've posted in these forums who claim that people who disagree with them are bullying them (or harrassing and threatening them).

Feb 9, 2018 2:03 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

IdrisSeabright wrote:


Philly_Phan wrote:


IdrisSeabright wrote:


Classic wrote:


Apple made me travel 60 miles on Saturday to see their "genius" just to make me wait for ever ,and telling me that they would email me instructions how to wipe out my phone and start again.

Apple "made" you? How, exactly, did they force you to make the trip? Did they threaten you with the vast power of the Mother Ship?

Even that doesn't "make" or "force" someone do something. A human being can not be forced to do anything against his/her will. The only thing that can be done is to advise him/her of consequences.

Keep in mind the number of people who've posted in these forums who claim that people who disagree with them are bullying them (or harrassing and threatening them).

Yes and I'm an Apple shill!

Aug 19, 2018 3:17 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

It’s a second hand phone so not that bothered as the 6s only cost $150, I was just curious.


However, I think everyone could do with less of your ‘up your own self’ attitude. People are merely asking questions in general and don’t require any condescending attitude. If it pains an individual so much to answer, then perhaps for their own benefit they should refrain in future.

Aug 27, 2018 2:27 PM in response to rrbjr50

I have this similar problem but, it has gotten worse. After 3 weeks of this my home button has completely stopped working. I don’t get how this happened. My iPhone has never been cracked or has ever been opened up. The button still clicks perfectly. This is just so frustrating because you use the home button so much everyday and not being able to use it is difficult.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

"Unable to activate Touch ID on this iPhone"

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.