How to fix Touch ID not working or failing to recognise your fingerprint on macOS

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix Touch ID not working or failing to recognise your fingerprint on macOS. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Touch ID on your Mac uses a fingerprint sensor to unlock your device, authorise purchases, and autofill passwords. When it stops working, you'll usually notice one of three things: the sensor fails to read your fingerprint, Touch ID is greyed out in settings, or you're repeatedly prompted to enter your password instead of using Touch ID. Most of these issues can be resolved without a trip to a service centre by working through the steps below.

Quick Fix Steps

If you're in a hurry, try these steps first. They resolve the majority of Touch ID issues.

1. Clean the sensor with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
2. Dry and clean your finger — moisture, lotion, or dirt will cause failures.
3. Restart your Mac from the Apple menu > Restart.
4. Update macOS via System Settings > General > Software Update.
5. Delete and re-add your fingerprint in System Settings > Touch ID & Password.

Detailed Instructions

Clean the Touch ID Sensor

The Touch ID sensor is the small recessed area on the top-right corner of the keyboard (on MacBooks with Touch Bar) or integrated into the power button (on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models from 2021 onwards, plus Magic Keyboard with Touch ID). Oils, dust, and moisture are the most common cause of failed reads.

1. Power off your Mac.
2. Wipe the sensor gently with a soft, lint-free cloth. A microfibre cloth works well.
3. For stubborn grime, lightly dampen the cloth with water — never apply liquid directly to the sensor.
4. Allow the sensor to dry completely before powering your Mac back on.

Check Your Finger Condition

Touch ID needs a reasonably clean, dry surface to work reliably.

• Wash and thoroughly dry your hands before use.
• Avoid using Touch ID with wet, sweaty, or oily fingers.
• If you have a cut, scar, or very dry skin on the enrolled finger, try using a different finger that you've already enrolled.
• Cold fingers can also reduce recognition accuracy — warm your hands first.

Restart Your Mac

A simple restart clears transient software glitches that can affect Touch ID, particularly after macOS updates or system sleep.

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Select Restart.
3. Wait for your Mac to fully boot, then test Touch ID.

Update macOS

Apple regularly releases updates that fix bugs affecting Touch ID, especially after major macOS releases.

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
2. Click General > Software Update.
3. If an update is available, click Update Now or Upgrade Now.
4. Allow your Mac to restart and complete the installation.

Delete and Re-add Your Fingerprint

If Touch ID recognises your finger sometimes but not others, the stored fingerprint template may have become corrupted or outdated.

1. Open System Settings > Touch ID & Password.
2. Enter your password when prompted.
3. Hover over the fingerprint you want to remove and click the X icon.
4. Confirm by clicking Delete.
5. Click Add Fingerprint and follow the on-screen prompts, lifting and resting your finger as instructed.

Troubleshooting

When Touch ID Is Greyed Out or Unavailable

If Touch ID & Password doesn't appear in System Settings, or the options are greyed out, the cause is usually one of the following:

You're Using a User Account That Doesn't Support Touch ID

• Touch ID requires a local account with a password. If you log in using only an Apple ID or a guest account, Touch ID won't be available.
• Standard user accounts work, but the account must have a password set.

Your Mac Hasn't Completed Setup

• If your Mac was recently restored from a backup or set up from scratch, you may need to complete the initial Touch ID enrolment during setup.
• You can enrol later by going to System Settings > Touch ID & Password.

macOS Detects a Security Issue

• If you've changed your user password recently, Touch ID may be temporarily disabled. Sign out and sign back in to re-enable it.
• If FileVault is encrypting or decrypting your disk, Touch ID is unavailable until the process completes.

Hardware Restrictions

• Touch ID requires compatible hardware. It is available on most MacBook models from 2015 onwards, plus the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.
• Desktop Macs (Mac mini, Mac Studio, Mac Pro) do not include Touch ID unless paired with a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.

You're Repeatedly Prompted for Your Password

If Touch ID works in some apps but not others, or you're asked for your password more often than expected:

1. Open System Settings > Touch ID & Password.
2. Check that the relevant toggles are enabled:
   • Unlocking your Mac
   • Apple Pay
   • iTunes Store, App Store and Apple Books
   • Password AutoFill
3. For third-party apps, ensure the app has permission to use Touch ID. You may need to check the app's own settings.

Touch ID Stops Working After Sleep or Wake

If Touch ID fails specifically when waking your Mac from sleep:

1. Try locking and unlocking the screen manually with Control + Command + Q to see if Touch ID recovers.
2. If the issue persists, restart your Mac.
3. Check for macOS updates, as this behaviour is often fixed in subsequent releases.

Reset the Touch ID Sensor

If the standard settings aren't responding, you can reset the Touch ID sensor using Terminal. This is safe but should be done carefully.

1. Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities.
2. Type the following command and press Return:

   sudo killall -HUP TouchIDServer

3. Enter your administrator password when prompted.
4. Restart your Mac.
5. Re-enrol your fingerprints in System Settings > Touch ID & Password.

Still Having Issues?