iPhone SE: Touch ID Not Working In iOS 14.2 (How To Fix?)
iPhone SE Touch ID bug in iOS 14.2
Is the Touch ID on your iPhone SE not working after updating to iOS 14.2? You’re not the only one. We’ve recently received a bug report about a 1st generation iPhone SE that’s failing to unlock or authenticate purchases with Touch ID. The problem surfaced right after the device was updated from iOS 14.1 to iOS 14.2!
iPhoneTricks.org reader Cees informs us that Touch ID has stopped recognizing his fingerprint as soon as he updated to the latest iOS 14.2 software version. While removing old fingerprints works, adding a new one isn’t working. The Touch ID sensor doesn’t seem to be able to recognize and register fingerprints anymore.
How To Fix Touch ID Not Working In iOS 14.2
All things point to the fact that iOS 14.2 has been released with a Touch ID bug and the only way to fix it is for Apple to patch it in an upcoming software updated. Here is what you can do in the meantime:
1. Reboot iPhone
It most likely, won’t help, but you should never leave this step out when troubleshooting and iPhone bug. Force restart your device and check if Touch ID starts working again.
Tip: iPhone SE 1 is force restarted with the old Home Button + Power Button press, while iPhone SE 2nd gen force restart works similar to the iPhone models with edge-to-edge display.
2. Use Passcode
iPhone unlocking and other authentications like App Store purchases can be validated with your iPhone Passcode. This is of course, less seamless, but at least it works.
Tip: If you’re annoyed by having to type the Passcode every time you grab your iPhone you can as well temporarily disable it. This comes with its security risks, but you can at least disable it while you’re at home.
How To: Settings -> Touch ID & Passcode -> Turn Passcode Off
3. Update To iOS 14.3 Beta
Because iPhone SE Touch ID stopped working after updating to iOS 14.2, a good troubleshooting idea is to try out the iOS 14.3 Public Beta. It was released a couple of days ago and can be downloaded for free using this extended tutorial.
Unfortunately, we don’t couldn’t replicate this issue and thus attempt to fix it, but would appreciate if you can use the comments section and confirm if this works.
iPhone SE Touch ID Bug Report
Below you can find the original issue description:
iPhone 5SE upgraded to iOS 14.2.
After that ID Touch does not work any more. Tried to remove an existing fingerprint: no problem.
Adding a new fingerprint was not possible.
Sensor did not register the new fingerprint. All Applications using the fingerprint feature could only be used via their password. Problem started After upgrading from 14.1 to 14.2.
Very annoying!
Are your facing a similar issue? We’re not sure if the bug flares up only on the 1st gen iPhone SE, or if it also happens on the iPhone SE 2 and other iPhone models with Touch ID. Please use the comments section and share your feedback.
Related: Other common bugs reported in iOS 14.2 are:
– Notifications in Messages are randomly not working
– Incoming call banner flickering and can’t be interacted with.
– Optimized battery charging auto activates after it’s manually disabled.
My iPhone SE 1st GEN not working Touch ID after an upgraded to 14.2 plz help me for my issues
Raajiv, thank you for reporting this issue. We do not have other workarounds at the moment other, than the ones provided in the article. We’re waiting for a software update fix and will update this article as soon as it becomes available.
Report received via email:
Naser: “Hi, my Touch ID (iPhone 6s) doesn’t work after updating to ios14.2. pls help.”
Sure enough,. Same issue here. I have a new, second generation SE and the morning after it updated to 14.2, it no longer would open with a fingerprint. Rebooting does not fix the problem.
R. Hartley, thanks for confirming this. We’ve sent Apple feedback about this. Hopefully a fix will be included in the next software release.
Temporarily delete your fingerprints will solve this
Charlie, if you delete your fingerprints, you will need to use your Passcode, or disable Passcode altogether but that will make your iPhone vulnerable. Did you manage to register your fingerprints back, after you delete them?
I tried this on my Iphone 7+ and my Ipad air 2 both of which have the problem after updating to 14.2. While deleting the fingerprints and creating a new one did work after the second sign it stopped again. So its obviously a problem Apple have introduced and we need a quick fix please as its very irritating having to punch the access code each time.
Allan, thanks for sharing this. Yep, hopefully a fix will be added in iOS 14.2.2.
I’m experiencing the same problem. I have the iPhone SE and ever since the update to OS 14.2, the phone rarely recognizes my fingerprint. I have rebooted multiple times, I have deleted and replaced my fingerprints numerous times….nothing works. The fingerprint function worked flawlessly until the 14.2 update. Apple, we have a problem.
IB, thanks for confirming. iOS 14.3 will be released today. Please update when available and let us know if the Touch ID issue has been fixed.
https://www.iphonetricks.org/ios-14-3-public-release-date/
My iPhone 7 plus Touch ID stopped working after 14.2. After reading this article, I downloaded and installed 14.3 (very long process) today and nothing changed. Touch ID NOT fixed. I have forced restart twice, but that does not fix the problem, either.
Carole, thanks for sharing this. I’m sorry to hear that the Touch ID issue hasn’t been fixed in iOS 14.3. Have you tried to contact Apple support?
No I haven’t. I just disabled it for now. We have a huge snow/sleet/freezing rain storm coming and I have a farm to get ready.
Carole, thanks for getting back despite being busy. Good luck with weathering the storm and maintain your farm. Do let us know if you manage to get the hold of your Touch ID when time comes.
My iPhone se finger print is disabled after updating 14.4 os. Please respond
My id finger does not work on my iphone 14.4 I have never had so many problems with any of my other i phones as I have with this one.
Have you tried to re-enable it from Settings?
The Touch ID on my iPhone SE and my 6S and my 6 all have stop working right after 1st updated then and if deleted it and reput in wold work only for little bit . Then after 2 update it is not working most of time even when you go in and delete it and put in again . Yes I am a very unhappy camper about it ask Sri . I wish your updates would stop messing all my phones up. So get us a fix out at once !!
Sorry to hear about this. Has this been fixed by iOS 14.5?