iPhone 6s fingerprint. Touch ID technology - what it is and why it doesn’t work: detailed explanations

Apple has been successfully using the Touch ID biometric sensor in its devices for several years to protect users’ personal data. To prevent this system from malfunctioning during operation, we have prepared some practical tips for you.

The Touch ID fingerprint scanning system has become one of the main features of the iPhone 5S and still delights users of phones and tablets from the Apple company. Using a fingerprint, you can unlock your phone, pay in the App Store or iTunes, and recently the biometric sensor works in conjunction with Apple Pay and other applications, including those from third-party developers.

From time to time, Touch ID users encountered minor problems - smartphones refused to recognize their fingerprints. For some time, the reason was, which Apple promptly corrected. However, this was not the only problem.

Despite all the reliability and modernity of the biometric sensor in the iPhone 5S/6/6 Plus smartphones, as well as in the iPad Air 2 and new iPad Mini 3 tablets, from time to time this miracle of technology fails. We decided to figure out why problems with recognizing the owner’s fingerprint may arise and how they can be eliminated.

When turning on and setting up Touch ID for the first time, the smartphone prompts the user to place a finger on the sensor several times and does this for a reason. The thing is that when using a smartphone, you do not place your finger at a right angle, or your finger may not be completely clean, wet, and so on. The system specifically asks you to move your finger over the surface of the reading sensor when setting it up. However, even this standard procedure, conceived by Apple to improve the performance of Touch ID, does not always save users.

Therefore, inquisitive minds around the world quickly came up with a simple and fairly reliable way to improve and speed up the operation of the biometric sensor in Apple technology on their own. To make Touch ID recognize your fingers faster and more accurately, simply make several copies of the same fingerprint. Touch ID allows you to add up to five fingerprints, and even if you've added both thumbs and index fingers to the database, you'll still have one free slot where you can add a copy of the fingerprint you think you'll use more often. Thanks to this simple operation, the accuracy of Touch ID increases by 60-90%, in proportion to the number of copies of one fingerprint.

Another simple way to improve the performance of a biometric sensor is the so-called. To do this, you need to go to the security settings, enter your password and simply alternately place your fingers entered into the sensor base. At the same time, the system determines which fingerprint you are currently “training” by highlighting it in gray. If you do this procedure for each fingerprint several times in a row, the accuracy and performance of Touch ID will increase.

When entering your fingerprints into the phone's memory, try to do it as naturally as possible, as if you were picking up the phone in order to unlock it or do some other familiar action, and not to send a perfect copy of your fingerprint to the CIA.

If the Touch ID sensor remembers data about your fingerprints under field conditions as close as possible, then it will perceive them in real life much better. Therefore, feel free to place your finger on the biometric sensor in a way that is convenient for you, at any angle. The stability of your fingerprint perception and the accuracy of Touch ID will only benefit from this.

A small but practical tip for Touch ID users: touch the metal edge of the Home button with your finger when scanning your fingerprint. In this way, the sensor will receive from you the most complete picture of the identification fingerprint and will be able to more accurately and quickly recognize the “finger” offered to it.

Well, last but not least, advice to Touch ID users. Perhaps the most banal and obvious, but at the same time important - wash your hands and keep the Home button itself with the sensor located in it clean. If you're having trouble identifying your fingerprint, start by simply wiping the front of your phone and the button itself.

The layer of dust and grease that accumulates on the surface of the biometric sensor, which is invariably present on our fingertips, makes it difficult for Touch ID to properly scan your finger. Therefore, do not hesitate to wipe the button more often, and keep your hands clean, this will be useful not only for Touch ID, but also for your health.

Every user of Apple smartphones and tablets equipped with a fingerprint scanner will agree with me that it was not difficult to get used to this new function - it is so harmonious, simple and convenient. For example, I’m so used to Touch ID that when I pick up an iPod Touch, I just hold my finger on the Home button for a while and wait for the player to unlock, without thinking at all that there’s something missing in this device . Apple were not pioneers, but their solution was so successful, convenient and elegant that people instantly got used to Touch ID and now look puzzled at Apple devices that lack this function.

Touch ID - what is it and how to use the technology? This question is sooner or later asked by owners of Apple equipment.

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Benefits of technology

Among the benefits that Touch ID provides are:

  • high response speed due to a minimum number of operations;
  • complete confidentiality of important information, access to which can only be obtained by the owner of the device;
  • the ability to authorize the user in a number of applications. Today, many programs support working with technology. For example, 1Password password storage, DayOne diary service and Documents file manager;
  • using mobile gadgets instead of bank cards when paying for purchases.

Rice. 2. Pay for your purchase using your iPhone.

Setting up Touch ID

The technology does not provide the user with the ability to quickly enable all its functions - it is not activated on a new, just purchased phone.

And in order to perform the initial setup of a mobile phone or tablet, you should follow certain steps:

  1. Wipe the Home button and your fingers to avoid distorting your fingerprints during the identification process;
  2. Enter a password that can be used if you cannot unlock your device using Touch ID for some reason. The password request occurs 2 days after the last unlocking occurred;
  3. Taking the device in the same way as when normally using a smartphone or tablet, place your finger on the Home button;
  4. Keeping your hand in the same position, wait for a slight vibration of the device or sound, which is a signal that the first stage of setup has completed.

After this, the gadget can only be unlocked by the person who carried out the setup.

Access can be obtained by waking up the smartphone or tablet from sleep mode (by pressing one of the buttons on the body) and placing your finger on the sensor.

Rice. 3. To access your iPhone, just press the Home button with your finger

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Authorization in services

Identification in services and programs using Touch ID is configured as follows:

  1. The smartphone (tablet) settings section opens;
  2. Select the item “Touch ID and password”;
  3. The sub-item “iTunes Store, App Store” is activated.

After this, the iOS operating system downloads the necessary add-ons to the device and notifies you of the need for additional authorization.

The fingerprint identification procedure is provided separately for each of the applications that you will use Touch ID to log into.

Although it will take less time to set up. By the way, you can read on our website how to distribute the Internet from your phone.

Problems with use

Despite the fact that access technology makes their use more convenient, sometimes problems arise with logging into the operating system.

There are only three main reasons for problems:

  • The fingertip or the button itself is dirty. The issue can be resolved by thoroughly cleaning the surface of the sensor and hands;
  • software problems. To avoid them, authorization should be provided using the image of two fingers at once. If this could not be done before the malfunction occurred, the situation is corrected by sending the device to service for flashing;
  • Factory defects are not a very common reason, but they do occur. A sign of a problem is a complete lack of response to the touch of a finger on the Home button and the inability to restart the smartphone. In this case, the phone also needs to be taken to a service center.

Rice. 4. A dirty button is one of the reasons for incorrect scanning.

Problems with setting up the technology are compensated by its capabilities. Such as speed and ease of use, optimization of payment processes and no need to remember a password. And problems occur quite rarely.

How to improve Touch ID performance

This option is present in most Apple devices starting from the seventh generation, but not many users know how to properly configure the technology and solve problems that arise with it.

In all current iPhone models you can find such a function as Touch ID. Many people don’t use it and don’t even know what it is.

Therefore, today I will tell you why you need to use Touch ID on your iPhone and what it actually gives. The article will be very short, but interesting.

Touch ID function on iPhone

I would like to start the history of this function with the fact that it appeared back in 2013 along with the legendary iPhone 5S. Then the letter S meant “Security”, which was implemented using touch ID.

There were so many memes circulating that now iPhones would be stolen along with their fingers. Yet, many years later, everyone adores him.

Touch ID is a fingerprint scanner in Apple devices that is built right into the Home button. Using it, most often you can unlock your smartphone or make purchases.

In the first models, the technology was crude and broke down quite often. But the big disadvantage is that changing it is not so easy, because the button is tied to the device’s processor.

Among the global advantages of using, we can name the following advantages:

  • security of your data after losing your device;
  • quick device unlocking;
  • Convenient shopping in any store.

Today we have this technology in version 2.0 and many cannot even imagine their life without it. After all, it’s so convenient and quick to unlock your gadget.

How to set up Touch ID on iPhone 5S, 6, 6S, 6 PLUS, 6S PLUS, SE, 7, 7 PLUS?

Many people think that setting up Touch ID on an iPhone or iPad is super complicated. But you shouldn’t be afraid of this, and now we’ll look at the whole process as a whole.


Let me start with the fact that even if you have an old iPhone 5S, then it also makes sense to do this procedure on it. So let's get started:

  1. let's go to SettingsTouch ID and passcode;
  2. we see Add a fingerprint and place the desired finger on the Home button;
  3. when the scanning is completed, then we do the same procedure, only with the edges.


Now the fingerprint is added and you can add as many fingers as you need. Most often, three pieces is enough. After all, you can cut yourself and so on, but don’t forget that there is a password.

In the same menu of this function, you can choose what exactly you want to use this functionality for. There are really only two options:

  • Unlock iPhone;
  • iTunes Store and App Store.

This is purely your preference. If the first point should be by default, then the second is really optional. The second point may be useful for paid games, so as not to enter a password.

conclusions

As you can see, the Touch ID function is not that scary. Now you know what it is intended for in your device and what it is.

Setting up is also simple. Apple usually tries to simplify the process as much as possible, so you can always find a bunch of tips on what exactly needs to be done and in what order.


What password can be called the most reliable and at the same time constantly accessible to the owner of the equipment? Fingerprint. The new Touch ID uses a fingerprint sensor as a means of identification. This method allows you to quickly connect to another Apple device and at the same time be confident in the security of the stored data.

Of course, the question immediately arises: Touch ID - what is it? The device itself, the technology or, in general, the phone model? Apple Touch ID is a technology that involves the use of a sensor that recognizes the user's unique fingerprint pattern. The unlocking process is simple: just place your finger on the Home button. The installed sensor reads the received data from absolutely any angle and in any way the iPad is positioned.

The iPad mini 3 unlock button is made of sapphire glass, which is enclosed in a stainless steel ring. Each part: the ring detects touch, and the glass part transmits fingerprint data to the sensor. The reading program performs a comparative analysis and signals compliance. It is noteworthy that the Touch ID sensor performs the entire operation within a fraction of a second.

Advantages of the technology:

  • Speed ​​of response and minimum number of required operations.
  • Security of confidential information (thanks to the specific architecture of the A7 processor).
  • User information security (the password and fingerprint used cannot be copied or transferred in any way, and is also not available to the OS and applications).
  • Authorization in applications (Touch ID technology is already integrated to simplify the process of confirming actions or signing).
  • Using a fingerprint, you can confirm the purchase and iTunes - using Touch ID technology will eliminate the need to enter payment data and passwords.

How to enable and configure Touch ID?

Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to put a single checkmark to implement the functions of the technology. Then a logical question arises: how to enable Touch ID?

Initial setup

First of all, you should deal with the initial setup. She :

  1. Before starting the process, thoroughly wipe the button and fingers.
  2. Enter a four-digit password that you have created, which the program will use without recognizing the fingerprint (the request is also possible after a reboot, two days after the last unlocking of the device, or to access functions).
  3. Holding the device as if you normally press “Home”, place your finger on the button (a light touch is enough) and hold it until there is a slight vibration or until the system signals that you can remove your finger.
  4. After the initial recognition is completed, the system asks you to change the position of the pad - this is necessary to complete the scanning. Now you need to attach the edges of the fingertip.

If the device is activated, then the initial setup can be done through the main menu: by going to “Settings”, select “Touch ID and password”, then “Fingerprints”. The system itself will offer to go through the described registration process and about fingerprints.

Activation methods

If you can't set up Touch ID, you can use the sensor for purchases and password entry. To unlock an iPhone using technology, just wake it up from sleep mode by pressing the “Power” or “Home” buttons, and then place your finger on the “Home” button. To use the sensor as an account identifier, you need to go to the settings section, then select “Touch ID and password” and activate “iTunes Store, App Store”. When downloading content, the system will inform you that you need a fingerprint on your iPad or other device.

Authorization using a scanner is activated separately, in the settings. Below are the relevant Steps to activate Touch ID on iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 Plus with iOS 8 and iPhone 6 in the updated free 1Password app:

  1. Open “Settings” (tab located on the bottom panel of the program).
  2. Select the “Security” section.
  3. Scroll to the tab with the name of the technology.
  4. Switch the toggle switch to the “On” position.

Now the entrance to the program is available after pressing the fingertip against the sensor for a second!

Non-working function: defective or improper operation?

Undoubtedly, but what should you do if Touch ID stops working or does not work initially? There may be several reasons for this:

  • Household reasons (incomplete coverage of the button with a fingertip, contamination of the sensor, and even others). It should be noted that most of the complaints about Touch ID not working well fall precisely under this and the next category.
  • Just a glitch in the recognition program. In this case, it is better to register a different fingerprint.
  • There is, unfortunately, such an option as marriage. An indicator of such a situation is the lack of effect from rebooting the device and a scanning error. Moreover, it doesn’t matter whether the defect was made at the production stage or by a rogue seller who assembled one iPhone out of two without taking into account the binding of the Touch ID sensor to “its” processor, the phone will still have to be taken to a service center.

With customization of the functionality, the functions in each application are more than covered by convenience, speed of operation and optimization of purchasing processes. Although the possibility of a marriage that could bring trouble cannot be ruled out.