Fingerprint on iPhone 5S does not work: possible causes and solutions

Fingerprint reader Touch ID is one of the most useful features of iPhones and other smartphones endowed with such an advantage. It not only protects the phone and its data from prying eyes, but it also serves as a key for purchases in the App Store and Apple Pay payment system. The scanner also protects third-party applications, for example, "Sberbank Online". However, like any technical novelties, it does not function perfectly on all devices. In this article, we'll figure out what to do if the Touch ID on the iPhone does not work.

What is Touch ID

First of all, let's see what the fingerprint scanner is. Touch ID, called one of the important iPhone functions, first appeared on the iPhone 5s; Later models are equipped with this option. The scanner is integrated into the main Home button. Its device is only 170 microns thick (it is twice thinner than human hair!) Is able to quickly analyze the subepithelial layer of the finger skin of a person touching the button on the image-print resolution of 500 ppi. It's no wonder that such a thin system can often "be capricious", which makes fingerprint on the iPhone 5s not work.

One of the features of the Touch ID is that it can "train", tune, and also store up to 5 fingerprints (both one person and several) in memory, each of which will be the key to your device and individual applications in it.

Correct setting of Touch ID

Sometimes the iPhone 5s fingerprint scanner does not work well due to the wrong initial setting. Therefore, in the beginning of using your new "smart" you should set up the Touch ID, following the recommendations of Apple:

1. Before configuring the sensor, enter the password for the device (4-6 digits, depending on the OS version). It is he who will help you unlock the device if the scanner suddenly charges.
2. Make sure that the "Home" button as well as your hands are clean and dry.
3. Go to the settings under the "gear" icon, select "Touch ID and Password". Enter the code from item 1.
4. Click on "Add fingerprint". After that, touch (do not press strongly - just a light touch) of the Home button. In this case, it is important to hold the device naturally, position the finger as you prefer.
5. Touching the button, hold your finger until it vibrates lightly or until a text appears on the screen: "Lift your finger and place it several times on the" Home "key.
6. After the appearance of this command, apply a finger, slightly changing its location.
7. Next, the device prompts you to enter into its memory a convenient capture for you. Here you should keep the phone in your hand, as it will be convenient for you to place it in your hand when unlocking the device. At this point, you are applying to the "Home" not the center of the pads of the finger, but its edges.
8. After you have memorized the fingerprint of one finger, you can repeat the procedure for others. To increase the reliability of the scanner in the memory iPhone should be up to three of your prints.

"Workout" Touch ID

If you are faced with the fact that the fingerprint on the iPhone 5s is not working well, then try to "train" your Touch ID. To do this, enter the "Settings", "Tooch ID and password", enter the desired code. Then touch the scanner of a finger in his memory. At this time, the name of her print on the screen will take a gray color.

Start the "training" of your scanner - continue to touch the "Home" finger in different positions. These manipulations will help improve the speed of both scanning and fingerprint recognition. To achieve the best result, repeat the above algorithm several times.

Failed fingerprint scanner: Universal troubleshooting

If you are faced with the fact that the fingerprint has ceased to work on iPhone 5s, then we will offer you the most probable causes of the malfunction and how to eliminate them:

• First check that the scanner is turned on and configured in accordance with the algorithm from the second sub-heading. In the "Settings" section of the "Touch ID and Password", the sliders opposite Unlock, App Store, iTunes Store, Apple Pay should be active, and at least one finger must be stored in the "Imprints" tab.
• Try entering one or more other fingerprints. Please note that each of them can be assigned a name.
• The reason that the fingerprint on the iPhone 5s does not work, maybe the state of your hands. If you only came from the frost, for a long time were in the water, applied a greasy cream or on the pads of your fingers there are minor damages (microcracks, scratches), this can cause the iPhone to not correctly recognize your fingerprint.
• Clean the dry "Home" key with a dry paper or tissue cloth. On its circumference, sometimes accumulates mud that is imperceptible to the eye, which reduces the working diameter of the key and makes it difficult for the scanner to work.

Now we turn to more specific cases of malfunctions.

Touch ID does not work on frost

If on your iPhone 5s the fingerprint scanner does not work exactly in the frost, then to your attention the following lifhak:

1. To conduct further manipulations, once again find yourself in a student's environment and go to the tab "Touch ID and Password" located in the "Settings".
2. Click on "Add new fingerprint". Your hands should already be cold.
3. For the scheme indicated in the second sub-title, add a fingerprint of your frozen finger to the device memory.
4. Even if this manipulation did not help, there is only one thing - to unlock the phone with a digital password.

Problems after update

The vast majority of users complain that the fingerprint on the iPhone 5s does not work just after they updated iOS to the current version. The most effective "lazy" way here is to wait for the next "update" in which this bug will be fixed. But if you need a properly functioning scanner on the "Home" button, then try to fix the problem in these ways:

1. Close all running programs and perform a Soft Reset (simultaneous clamping of the Home and power keys within 10 seconds). It would be superfluous to clean the scanner itself and the fingertips with a napkin. Go to the "Settings" section "Touch ID and password" and delete all available prints (swipe to the left or click on their name, then - "Delete print"). Then select "Add a new fingerprint" and refer to the detailed algorithm described in the settings above.
2. If the previous method did not help, then you will have to perform a complete flashing of the device. Before the operation, be sure to keep in a safe place backup copies of the information available in the iPhone. On your PC or laptop, iTunes must be downloaded and authorized via the Apple ID of your iPhone. Disable the "Find iPhone" feature. Next, connect the phone via the USB cable to the "older brother". If the PC OS is Windows, then with this manipulation, hold the Shift key on the keyboard, if Mac is the Alt / Option key. Then select "Restore" by specifying the downloaded firmware.

Touch ID failed

A fingerprint on the iPhone 5s may not work and as a result of a failure in the operation of the scanner - such a message you will see on the screen after several vain attempts to unlock the device using the Touch ID. The reasons for it may be different: a small wear of the device itself, conditions that make it difficult to scan the finger pad, etc. The maintenance of this problem, according to many users, is a monthly update of the recorded fingerprints. The latter must be completely deleted and added new ones through the "Add fingerprint".

The way to solve the problem is traditional: clean the "Home" button, finger pads, remove old "fingers" from memory and add new ones by standard procedure.

Problems with the App Store

Another problem solved is a malfunction in the scanner when it is used in the App Store. In this store, the Touch ID is actually the key for downloading new applications. "Fix" the fingerprint scanner in this case can be as follows:

1. Go to the "Touch ID and password" section in the "Settings".
2. Opposite the "App Store, iTunes Store" make the slider inactive.
3. Reboot the device.
4. Go back to step 1, activate the slider responsible for "App Store, iTunes Store".

Scanner Touch ID is broken

The breakdown of the very system of Touch ID - a phenomenon infrequent, but still possible. In this case, the solution to the problem will be only the replacement of the fingerprint scanner iPhone 5s. To deny yourself the possibility of an error, delete all prints and restart the iPhone. Again, add a fingerprint to the "Touch ID and Password". In case of failure, repeat the procedure a couple of times. If after this the scanner remains blind and deaf to your prints, then only qualified diagnostics and, possibly, repair in the Apple service center will help it.

As you can see, the fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 5s does not work or does not function well for a variety of reasons. With the solution of most problems you can easily and quickly manage independently - a visit to specialists is required only when the scanner is damaged - to replace it. For a healthy and long operation, it is also important to properly configure the Touch ID.