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TouchID sensor on 6 and 6 Plus - Doesn't work when plugged in

Mine does it too! I think it may be the type of charger we are using? Im not too worried about it, but I will entertain the removal of my Apple silicone case and see what happens, I see no way that has any effect though. Im using a non Apple charger, I will plug into Apple charger and see what happens tonight as well.
 
Quick fix is to touch part of the metal around the speaker/microphone to ground yourself to the phone. It's just a grounding issue. Nothing major. You may have to "scrub" your finger around on one of the machined speaker areas a few times before it kicks in.
 
I've been having the same issue with my 6.

Really weird, I've been to Apple twice and both time's it worked fine.
The guy was putting it down to possible noisy electricity in the house, because it's worked fine at Apple both times and that the Touch ID can be sensitive to anything that might be static (an old fridge was his example).

Mines even weirder in that, taking the Apple black leather case off makes it work. So it's like it's have a problem with a bit of everything mentioned.
 
I'm currently experiencing this with a charger I just bought from Walmart. It's the griffin 12W single sub charger. Rated at 2.4a

It will NOT let me use Touch ID with the case on. However taking my case off fixes this problem.


Strangely enough
The 1.8A charger that came with my old lg G3 works effortlessly.

I believe that the charger is outputting too much interference for the touch sensor
 
I recently purchased the iPhone 6 and also a white life proof case. I have noticed the same thing, no fingerprint is in the case while plugged into the charger. I have no idea what this is about but I sure am displeased.
 
I found a fix for me. I have the same problem, either with an Apple charger or a third party one. But then I tried using a few different household extension cords to experiment. I found that with my longer 15 foot extension cord the touchID works fine! I noticed the shorter cords had the problem. So try a longer extension cord. Perhaps the length does something to change the current by the time it gets to the phone, reducing interference.
 
I've noticed this also. I use longer Amazon iPhone cords with a PowerGen 2.4 amp charger. If the phone is plugged in to the charger, it works sporadically with TouchID. The longer it's plugged in, the less it works. However, if I use the same cable and run it to my MBP on Yosemite 10.10.2 TouchID works perfect, every time. Have just gotten used to it at this point.
 
I think that this is a way for people not to put your finger on the Touch ID while sleeping. People who don't have Touch ID on their phone will not know what to do. Good job Apple...

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Never mind... If you press harder on the home button while plugged in, your phone should unlock most of the time. Doesn't work the first time, try again.
 
This problem mostly only exists of you have a case insulating it, so unlikely to be a feature.
 
This is definitely a grounding problem and most likely depends on the cable you're using.

Using the original cable that came with my iPhone 5S, touchID does not work while charging at the office. At home, I use a 10ft Zero Lemon cable and TouchID works perfectly. In both cases, I leave the case on.

I noticed that while using the original cable, if I try to touch the metal near the phone jack, touchID works fine. Of course this is cumbersome and it is much easier to just type the pass code.

I will bring my 10ft cable tomorrow to see if it works fine with the charger I use at the office, to rule out an issue with just the cable or if in fact it's a matter of the charger.
 
joeycastellon said:
I noticed that while using the original cable, if I try to touch the metal near the phone jack, touchID works fine. Of course this is cumbersome and it is much easier to just type the pass code.
Click to expand...
I've taken to putting my index finger on the ring around the camera and that works just fine :)
In fair though, my passcode is 21 digits long!
 
scribb said:
SOLUTION - Or at least EXPLANATION

So, a lot more testing later...

I tried wiping, TouchID won't even work when factory reset and charging.

Tried the charger that comes in the box. Still won't work.

I removed the Midnight Blue leather case - TouchID works.

That's the common factor with the 6 and 6 Plus, we're both using Midnight Blue cases. So something about being in a case (and maybe the material or colour - who knows, all I have is blue to test) is interfering with TouchID when charging. If I had to guess it's heat maybe?

Anyone else got a case to test it with?
Click to expand...

Wow, I am having the same issue while plugged in. Just searched the issue and found this thread. My Iphone 6 is in a Otterbox Commuter case. I also noticed once I took the case off touch ID worked. It also is Navy in color but not sure if that really is relative but definitely weird.
 
It's lack of conductivity to trigger Touch ID to start reading. I use the camera ring to ground myself on the phone when charging and needing to unlock it but any metal surface you can reach on the phone will work.
 
scribb said:
Wait, the BACK? If I put it there... I CAN SEE THE SCREEN TOO! This is SO much better :p

It's something odd with the case. Maybe even the colour.
Click to expand...
I know this is an old post, but you're 100% right. I recently purchased a TwelveSouth BookBook case for my iPhone 6+ and I have Touch ID failure only when using the case. The unique thing about the BookBook is that it's a case in a case - and the issue only occurs when I have the case connected to the BookBook case - if I slide it out it works fine. and it's only while it's charging.
 
scribb said:
Hi folks,

I noticed last night that on both my iPhone 6 Plus and my wife's iPhone 6 the TouchID sensor won't work if the phone is plugged in and charging. We are using old chargers and lightning cables, so it is possible the ones that came in the box will fix it, but it's very odd. Plug in - phone can't see the finger, unplug it - unlocks at a touch.

Anyone else seen this?

EDIT:

Turns out it only happens when they're in their cases - Midnight Blue leather for both. And the lightning cable has to be powered, unplug the charger from the wall and it works. Odd combination. I've filed a Radar.
Click to expand...
 
Any chance that you have a magnet on your iPhone case. I have the exact same problem.
I have a steelie dashboard mount magnet glued to my speck iPhone cover..
 
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