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iPhone SE (2020) iPhone SE 2020 - Touch ID problems (flakes out)

Tesla1856

Tesla1856

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 25, 2017
202
58
Texas, USA
Phone is great except I'm having trouble keeping the Touch ID working.
I program Index-Finger and Thumb from each hand. They program with no problems, I test all 4 and they work. However, in normal use over the next few days, they stop working all the time very well (I often get the number-pad to enter passcode). I then have to place my finger very carefully, and sometimes it takes many tries (and/or try another finger).
Am I not programming them right? Anyone else having this problem?
My old iPhone was iPhone-5s. I don't remember having this problem, but I think the sensor was a little different.
 
This is why I could never go back to a home button.

Re do and try with the fingers at all different angle, ie upside down, side on.
 
If this is the case, you have to wipe the sensor with a cloth or something. Often, the grease is responsible - I have no problem with my SE 2020.
 
Whenever I have Touch ID issues, I reprogram the fingerprint(s).

Keep in mind that you can program the same finger multiple times. I do this when Touch ID suddenly has an issue with my print.

Don't delete the old prints, just keep adding new ones each time you have a problem.
 
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vertical smile said:
Keep in mind that you can program the same finger multiple times. I do this when Touch ID suddenly has an issue with my print.

Don't delete the old prints, just keep adding new ones each time you have a problem.
Click to expand...

Thank you ! I bet that is the problem. I thought you were suppose to only have one entry per finger . 😔
 
1rottenapple said:
do you have sweaty palms? Sweat always messes with my wife Touch ID lol she has a high failure rate for unlocking.
Click to expand...
Have her add her fingerprint when her palms get sweaty and it starts messing up. Don't delete the old print!
 
I haven't started to add more than one fingerprint per finger yet, but for a more complete thread, I wanted to add more explanation of the problem.

This is with only 4 fingerprints programmed (Thumb and Index-finger from each hand). After initial programming (and renaming to identify them LT,L1,RT,R1) . Quick testing (by pressing power-button) reveals they all initially work.

So, there appears to be more than one error message.

When a particular finger stops working once, you get a lower-message that says "Try Again".
Or, you get a message that says "Touch ID or Passcode"
Often you can try that finger again (better placed) or you can try a different finger ... and it works.

However, if it fails enough times in a row, you get this message and the number-pad screen:

Enter Passcode
Touch ID does not recognize
your fingerprint

On my iPhone, once you get this message ... NO FINGERPRINTS WORK ... ever. Apparently, it thinks you are trying to fake-it-out, trick-it, or hack-it. Only a Passcode will work at this point. You must "Enter a Passcode".

Now, once you get back into the iPhone, logout, and start testing again ... you notice at least 2-3 of the existing 4 fingerprints are working just fine.

OK, now I will try the recommended fix.
 
Last edited:
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