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Reset fingerprint ID every month
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I only use my thumbs and registered each one twice. I get 100% accuracy for over 2 months now. Maybe once a week I get "try again" because I just got out of the shower or hand washed a few dishes.
Got my phone the first day available and this feature never worked well for me.
I get maybe 50/50 accuracy and it does seem to get worse as it learns.
I was thinking maybe some people have more defined or deeper ridges (prints in the skin) then other because it does not seem to be a widespread issue.
I get maybe 50/50 accuracy and it does seem to get worse as it learns.
I was thinking maybe some people have more defined or deeper ridges (prints in the skin) then other because it does not seem to be a widespread issue.
I just reset my fingerprints yesterday (since never altering them since I got the phone in early October) and my TouchID is back to working flawlessly. It was taking at least 3 touches to open my iPhone from the lock screen and now it's doing it automatically.
I hate using TouchID to unlock my phone. With password protect I have it set to ask every 15 minutes otherwise it's good to unlock with a swipe. Much preferred. putting in my password is also faster than the try again I get at very very least twice a day.
Just using it for iTunes purchases now as that password is longer... unlocking though it's an annoying "feature" at best.
Just using it for iTunes purchases now as that password is longer... unlocking though it's an annoying "feature" at best.
It doesn't have to be like this though. If you are having to repeatedly touch it, try registering your prints again. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
And setting your lock screen to 15 minutes is asking for trouble. TouchID allows it to be immediate, the way it should be for the best security.
I read about scanning the same print twice about 4-5 weeks ago. Ever since then it has been 100x better.
I had the phone for all of 24 hours before it started giving me the "Try Again" then I registered my finger and did 4 fingers this time. Honestly even when it opens right away it saves me zero seconds compared to typing in 4 digits. I've always had the 15 min thing on with my last iPhones and there has never been a problem... I don't see it being a problem in the future. The TouchID less of a security feature, as it is a "neat" feature.
The problem with Touch ID is not a problem with Touch ID. It's a problem with your finger.
Especially this time of the year for many of us north of the equator - it's winter. This means our fingers are drying out and causing poor accuracy when it comes to Touch ID:
I can repeat this issue EVERY morning. Every morning I wake up and reach for my phone to check my messages. I know that Touch ID is going to fail a good 40-50% of the time when I do this. After I've been up for a while, this accuracy improved to 80% (in December). If I go and have a shower, immediately afterwards accuracy is probably around the 30% region. However, after my fingers have re-shaped themselves to normal after the long, hot shower, accuracy is at 100%.
My hands are HYDRATED at this point, but not shriveled anymore from the shower. This gives me absolutely 100% accuracy. My wife finds the EXACT same thing to be true with her 5s.
My suggestion to most people is to have a set of spring/summer fingerprints, and a set of fall/winter fingerprints.
Blaming Touch ID isn't "entirely" fair, though I guess it's Apple's fault to a large degree for implementing a security system that involves an ever-changing part of the body.
Especially this time of the year for many of us north of the equator - it's winter. This means our fingers are drying out and causing poor accuracy when it comes to Touch ID:
I can repeat this issue EVERY morning. Every morning I wake up and reach for my phone to check my messages. I know that Touch ID is going to fail a good 40-50% of the time when I do this. After I've been up for a while, this accuracy improved to 80% (in December). If I go and have a shower, immediately afterwards accuracy is probably around the 30% region. However, after my fingers have re-shaped themselves to normal after the long, hot shower, accuracy is at 100%.
My hands are HYDRATED at this point, but not shriveled anymore from the shower. This gives me absolutely 100% accuracy. My wife finds the EXACT same thing to be true with her 5s.
My suggestion to most people is to have a set of spring/summer fingerprints, and a set of fall/winter fingerprints.
Blaming Touch ID isn't "entirely" fair, though I guess it's Apple's fault to a large degree for implementing a security system that involves an ever-changing part of the body.
Same for me. Much better after one week of having each thumb registered twice.
The problem arises when TouchID tries to "learn" and adapt to this alteration in the ridges of your fingerprint. To me, this is muddying the water and a recipe for disaster. When you keep adding "fingerprints" (wet ones, cold ones, hot ones, dirty ones, (de)hydrated ones), you're bastardizing what you true fingerprint is and getting further from what your print really is. For me, I believe it's the "learning" function that leads to TouchID inaccuracy.
I have not seen any "working" proof of Touch ID learning anything. My finger works exactly the same now as it did day one when I got my iPhone 5s (launch day). The weather/bath/shower, for me/wife, has been the defining factor.
Have you guys tried actually using a microfiber cloth and cleaning the actual home button?
I usually get this issue, and it does occur like 1-3 weeks later where the sensor gets considerably worse at detecting the fingerprint. Looking at the home button itself, it looks like the fingerprints stay on, which could be a reason why it fails so much more than its supposed to. Cleaning with a microfiber cloth, or even your shirt should get rid of the fingerprints, and leave you with a clean sensor. Works like new when I do this, and I dont have to reset the fingers.
I usually get this issue, and it does occur like 1-3 weeks later where the sensor gets considerably worse at detecting the fingerprint. Looking at the home button itself, it looks like the fingerprints stay on, which could be a reason why it fails so much more than its supposed to. Cleaning with a microfiber cloth, or even your shirt should get rid of the fingerprints, and leave you with a clean sensor. Works like new when I do this, and I dont have to reset the fingers.
I know, I know. The "learning" bit is entirely based on Apple's marketing statements, which have been known to be less than truthful in the past. But, let's say, for sake of argument, that TouchID does "learn". A person's fingerprint accuracy diminishing over time, which is happening to people, does in fact argue the fingerprint detection ability does change over time because fingerprints, for most situations, do not change.
So, why have learning of a static structure? Sure, a fingerprint may get temporarily altered, but unless you are constantly going in and outdoors, going in and out of the shower all day, what exactly needs to be learned? For the vast majority if the time, your fingerprint should be exactly as the day you registered it.
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Microfiber, no. But I've tried my shirt and tissue paper and this didn't help. Reregistering my finger helped like night and day.