Some Users Report Degrading Touch ID Accuracy

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Posted December 7, 2013 at 7:30pm by Shalom Levytam

Dr. Drang, a consulting engineer, recently reported noticing a degradation in the accuracy of Touch ID on the iPhone 5s over time.

I’ve been using Touch ID since I got an iPhone 5s in mid-October. Generally speaking, I like it, and I find it faster than the old swipe-and-passcode method, but I’ve felt compelled to reteach it my fingerprints twice already. I know this sounds impossible, but its recognition of my prints seems to decay with time. I rescanned my fingers this weekend, and Touch ID has been amazingly fast and accurate since then. Just as it was when I first got the 5s, and just as it was a few weeks later when I rescanned my fingers for the first time. Just before each rescan, though, I was so frustrated with Touch ID I felt like throwing the phone across the room.

Daring Fireball's John Gruber notes that he's had a few reports of the same nature.

Drang is not alone — I’ve had a handful of readers ask me about this recently. Makes me think there’s something to it. Me, personally, though, I haven’t noticed any drop-off in accuracy.

Drang suggests that perhaps the device is continually updating its internal 'picture' of your fingerprint with each scan, eventually causing decay.

We have experienced some drop-off in accuracy, so be sure to Let us know if you have as well in the comments!

Some Users Report Degrading Touch ID Accuracy

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Guest - December 9, 2013 at 5:29am

I had to get one replaced, the new one is better but still has a 50%+ fail rate

Sidetop - December 9, 2013 at 5:00am

I'm having problems with the finger recognition. I've been updating mine almost daily. I wish there was a fix for it.

James - December 9, 2013 at 3:30am

I have, it's terrible

iPhoneuserDanny - December 9, 2013 at 3:16am

I've noticed my white 5s losing accuracy when I place my fingers on the sensor. Sometimes it does it in one shot, but other times it takes 2 or 3 tries to successfuly unlock :(

Iphone5s - December 8, 2013 at 10:11pm

My iPhone fingerprints seems to be degrading as well. I scan the same thumb a couple times and it helps.

Jay - December 8, 2013 at 7:44pm

Same problem.. Hating it right now..

gamerscul9870 - December 8, 2013 at 3:43pm

I have a suggestion to those who have problems! If it's dirty or if your hand is dirty, clean it and touch id but clean that with a cotton swab and water then try it again, if it still doesn't work then it must be cold, let it warm up in your pocket (just leave it there) and try it then!

Carsten - December 8, 2013 at 4:17pm

Thnx Nat, for actually backing my explanation on what could cause the issue. I mostly run into the cold part either it being the phone or my thumb. Warming up the phone or hands works like a charm. Some people are a bit to impatient to get a grip on this new technology on their new iPhone. Just try it out people, I ensure you you'll come to find that it works like a charm ;-)

gamerscul9870 - December 8, 2013 at 6:04pm

It's a simple way and only way for everyone and me to clean!

gamerscul9870 - December 8, 2013 at 6:07pm

The only quick way to warm up your hands is rubbing it against your other hand quickly and works in seconds :)!

gamerscul9870 - December 8, 2013 at 3:11pm

I have my 5s since launch day and I find no problem now!

ED - December 8, 2013 at 2:26pm

I have absolutely found the same to be true. I chalk it up to the winter weather and my fingers getting rather dry during the winter, but I've practically stopped using the Touch ID from complete frustration. Just tried, 5 tries with thumb, no match.

Fab - December 8, 2013 at 8:24am

I have to rescan my fingers every week!!! Bur I have a durty job and works hard with my hands.

unklbyl - December 8, 2013 at 8:06am

My wife is starting to hate the thing. Her fingerprint does NOT always work. She has also mentioned that when you do not use the phone for 48 hours, you have to enter the passcode. Scan is not allowed. Had this problem with the fingerprint scanner since day 1. I honestly just figgured that she was not pressing her thumb on the home key right. Turns out there are many more people having the same problem. I guess it's just one more thing that can go wrong... unklbyl

Raul - December 8, 2013 at 7:14am

No issues till now. Works as a charm. Happily using it for 2months now.

Guest - December 9, 2013 at 6:43am

So if you're not experiencing an issue then it doesn't exist because you have the only 5s in existence. Your reasoning is astounding.

samuel grossman - December 8, 2013 at 6:41am

It is your actual fingerprint that is getting worn out from daily use. Thats why you have to re teach it. Try scanning all 5 inputs with the same finger to increase recognition....Again......Its your fingerprint itself that is wearing out or getting scuffed up or scratched....not the phone........

zetaprime - December 8, 2013 at 5:30am

I don't think its a coincidence that these reports started to appear with the onset of colder weather. I always have my phone in a warm pocket and have not noticed any change in the performance of the fingerprint scanner.

Khattak khan jann - December 8, 2013 at 5:07am

I hav had this problem today where i was trying to unlock my phone through touch sensor , there was no response then i hav to put pass manually!! (-_-)

Sam - December 8, 2013 at 5:06am

Another reason I won't be getting the 5S

Vee - December 8, 2013 at 4:46am

Using touch ID on 5S for the last month and a half and haven't had any issues. It works perfectly and I love it.

Ruthless - December 8, 2013 at 4:15am

Its True. i have also noticed it. after using my phone for like 2 or 3 days the phone shows error for my finger on some areas which it was good before. then i have to rescan the whole finger again. please fix the accuracy. And where is the new ios7.1? still no new beta or releasing the final version? i hope to see some good things in it. and gestures would be great for touch ID and control center customize for adding 3G, hotspot, edge like things to it.

skylander - December 8, 2013 at 2:58am

In addition to the reason that some people mentioned, I think it could also be related to the weather. I use fingerprint scanner on my laptop every day. I notice that it affects the accuracy when weather change (season change). The weather is getting cold. My hand is dry and some time cracked. I had a hard time to use my fingerprint scanner to get authenticated. If I use lotion, sometimes works some doesn't. It depends on the situation and how thick of the location. Having lotion on the print is similar to oily, dirty, etc. For the accuracy, I don't think that's purely Apple's fault.

cocoabutter - December 9, 2013 at 6:37am

Nope, its not purely apple's fault as they NEVER release anything BETA to the general public.

Bigkev - December 8, 2013 at 2:18am

I knew this was gonna be inaccurate my wife and I both complained about the same thing that finger print works then few days it decays we have to do new prints sucks we wish we stayed with iPhone 5 since the only noticeable thing is the finger print scanner and it sucks!!!!

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