Touch ID is a great way of securing your iPhone or iPad. It lets you use your fingerprint to unlock your device, which is much faster and more secure than if you were to enter a passcode. Apart from unlocking your device, Touch ID can also be used to authorize purchases in the App Store and iTunes Store.
As is always the case with hardware, things can sometimes go wrong. There are cases when Touch ID stops working or fails to scan fingerprints properly. This could be due to various reasons and if you’re facing a similar issue, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll show you the different methods of fixing an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus with Touch ID that doesn’t working. These methods also apply to other iPhone and iPad models with Touch ID.
Ways to Fix Touch ID Issues
1. Proper Usage
If Touch ID isn’t working as it should, it might not be a software or hardware issue, but the way you use it. You could be positioning your fingers incorrectly or using the wrong one. Here are some things to consider when using Touch ID:
- Ensure that the Touch ID sensor is clean and free from dirt. The scanner takes a high resolution picture of your fingerprint and verifies it with the data stored. If the scanner isn’t clean, it may have difficulties reading your fingerprint.
- Make sure that you’re using the fingerprint that has been registered.
- Keep your fingers clean and dry when placing on Touch ID.
- Do not press the Home button too hard. Lightly place your finger on Touch ID and it will scan your fingerprint.
- Your finger must cover the entire Home button and the capacitive ring around it.
- If your device is within a case, it might be possible that the edges of the case are covering a part of the Home button.
2. Hard Reset Your iPhone or iPad
Hard resetting your iOS device usually fixes the minor issues that you’re facing. To hard reset, press and hold the Power and Home buttons together until the device restarts and the Apple logo appears. On iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, you have to hold the Power and Volume down buttons instead.
3. Re-register Your Fingerprint or Use a Different One
It might be that Touch ID didn’t register your fingerprint properly or has issues scanning the finger that has been registered. Consider changing the fingerprint or simply delete and re-add the same fingerprint.
- Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode.
- Enter your device passcode.
- Under Fingerprints, add a new fingerprint or tap on the existing one to open.
- Press the Delete Fingerprint button.
- Now add the same fingerprint again.
4. Update your iPhone or iPad
If none of the above methods fix the issue, then the last thing to do is to update your device to the latest iOS firmware. These updates fix issues and bugs that are present in older versions. To update, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
If you’re still facing the same issue, then it might be a hardware problem. Consider taking your iPhone or iPad to a nearby Apple Store to get it repaired.