Touch ID MacOS Big Sur | Apple Developer Forums

Dec ’20

I had this issue this morning too right after my update. Called support and it's fixed! Here's what they had me do:

1- Shut down your computer (not restart)
2-Once its shut down, hold down the start button for 10 seconds. then lift your finger
3-wait a 20 seconds or so, and then turn on the computer as normal.
4-Log back in

You should be able to login/add a fingerprint now! If not call support and they will help. Fixed mine!

narban OP

Dec ’20

I had the same issue where i could not add fingerprints in Big Sur 11.1.
Following link worked for me.
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201295

Pumi OP

Dec ’20

I followed MeghanM6's recommendation and it worked. See my clarifying notes:

1- Shut down your computer (not restart)
2-AFTER its shut down, hold/press down the start button for 10 seconds (you'll hear a sound like it's about to turn on the computer but it won't actually turn on). Then lift your finger after 10 seconds.
3-Wait 20 seconds or so, and then turn on the computer as normal.
4-Log back in and go the System Preferences and select the "Touch ID" to add your finger prints.

I can't believe we have to do this but I'm glad there's a solution for it.

adrianafs OP

Dec ’20

Same here. After updating to Big Sur, touch id is basically broken.

BillD42 OP

Dec ’20

I also followed Meghan's suggestion below which worked...thank you

Yahont OP

Dec ’20

MacBook 16 (2019). After upgrading to Big Sur 11.1 I have got this. (11.0.1 was fine for me). Reseting CMC is not helpful. Touch ID works only 1 time, after this doesn't.

MacMondo OP

Dec ’20

I too, just fixed my MacBook with Meghan's suggestion.

I spent over an hour with an Apple Rep texting about this issue with no resolution. He never once mentioned it could be a result of the update I had just completed. Very poor there. But this fix works. Why aren't the Apple reps doing this? Why did they release this piece of crap in the first place?

generico OP

Dec ’20

Awesome! I thought its just me who is not doing it right. I followed Meghan's way, too. ;-) Thank you

miiis OP

Dec ’20

me too, it didn't work. it makes me annoys.
Is there a way to use Touch ID again?

robertolah OP

Dec ’20

same issue here after updating to 11.1 the Touch ID stopped working - can't log in, add new fingerprints. Other issue is when wanting to change system preferences by unlocking the padlock, my password doesn't work. Hope they'll fix these in the next update.

JCRR OP

Dec ’20

I had the same problem.
I managed to resolve this issue by the SMC reset.

Try..
https://support.apple.com/fr-fr/HT201295

Dana-B OP

Dec ’20

I resolved using this from the article linked below.

Shut down your Mac.
Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release the button.
Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201295

mattcsalmons OP

Dec ’20

Holding the power button for 10 seconds, then restarting normally worked for me.

Why so many problems with Big Sur? I pulled a brand new, 2020 MacBook Pro out of the box yesterday- that for some reason shipped with Mavericks, then struggled to update to Big Sur, which then preceded to break everything that was working fine beforehand. C'mon Apple, get it together.

Jennyjoy OP

Dec ’20

Wow, I just upgraded to Big Sur last night and thought it was only me having the problem with touch id not working. Argggg. But the reset did work, thanks to this forum, I figured out how to do it.

Sarita33 OP

Dec ’20

same here, not sure why or how to fix it

espositog2 OP

Jan ’21

I have solved thanks to Dana-B suggestions.
Thanks

Kuncoroadi OP

Jan ’21

Same issue with mine, you can try these:

Try to delete and add again the fingerprint

Try to hard reset your MacBook (hold down your touchID button until the MacBook shutdown, wait for seconds, then turn it on)

If the problem still persists, then

Reset SMC

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201295
do all the instructions

If the problem still persists, then

Reset NVRAM/PRAM

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

If the problem still persists, then

Try touchID in "Safe Mode"

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

Third-party apps that may be interfering the startup (startup items are probably at fault) and made the touchID not working properly.
Back to the normal startup, and I tried to uninstall a third-party app (anti-virus), then touchID work properly. I tried to install it again and guess what, touchID still work like a charm!

ayoolajohn OP

Jan ’21

This worked for me:

Shut down your Mac.
Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release the button.
Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.

BruceLok OP

Jan ’21

I hit the same issue too, Touch ID not working
luckily, the following URL worked for me
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201295
Hope Apple be aware of it, and get it fixed in next minor release

CLs_123 OP

Jan ’21

Same for me. I've called Apple for help and it was useless...

Anie OP

Jan ’21

I met the same issue and thanked to other users here, I did successfully use Touch ID again. Please click the following link and do as instructed.
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201295

FlorinDavid OP

Jan ’21

I have solved this by using the steps from https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201295 (the steps to reset the SMC)

After I logged in, in the System Preferences -> Touch ID I had to check again "Unlocking your Mac"

emagou OP

Jan ’21

yeah I got the same problem . mt Touch ID is not working anymore . I thought the problem was form the settings so I tried to delete it in order to add another one , and the surprise was that I couldn't add a new one !!!

Emily17 OP

Jan ’21

Yes, the option to use touch i.d. no longer shows up on my lock screen.

Had to reset the SMC and the issue seems resolved! Yay!

leejuneee OP

Jan ’21

YES, I CAN'T ADD FINGERPRINT, I can't make changes to my system preferences although my password is correct !!!

please fix it !
😢