Fix: Apple Pay Touch ID Not Working

Apple Pay is a secure mobile application to pay through Apple devices in different stores. Apple pay can be accessed in different ways.

One of the easiest ways to make payment is using Apple pay touch ID. But a lot of users have reported that the Apple Pay touch ID is not working. 

This may happen because of several reasons but fortunately, it can be resolved if you know how to. So, to help resolve the issue, we have come up with this post. Here are the causes and fixes of the Apple pay touch ID not working issue.

What Does “Apple Pay Touch ID Not Working” Mean ?

Touch ID is one of the great features of Apple devices. It is a security functionality that offers the utmost security level to individuals using Apple devices. “Apple Pay Touch ID Not Working,” you may see this message while using Apple Pay. There could be multiple reasons why Apple Touch ID is not working on Apple Pay.

Reasons Of Apple Pay Touch ID Not Working

If your Apple Pay Touch Id is not working, there can be many reasons. Here is a list of common reasons for which the issue may occur.

1. Your device is not updated with the iOS latest version. 
2. Your fingerprint is not set up properly. 
3. There might be dust on your fingerprint sensor or your finger. 
4. You are not touching the sensor properly. 
5. You might be using the wrong finger for opening Apple Pay. 
6. Touch ID might also not work if there is moisture, dryness, sweat, or cut on your finger. 
7. Another cause can be a change in the finger’s size due to exercise or any other reason like an injury. 

How To Fix “Apple Pay Touch ID Not Working“?

You can quickly fix the Apple Pay touch ID not working issue by following some points. There can be any issue due to which Touch ID is not working on Apple Pay. Follow the below steps to fix Apple Pay Touch ID not working.

Go to Settings, then click on Touch ID & Passcode and make sure that iPhone Unlock or iTunes & App Store is on, and you’ve enrolled one or more fingerprints. Try enrolling a different finger.

1. Update Your Device With The Latest IOS Version

There might be an issue that could get solved after updating your device. New IOS software will fix all bugs and improve your experience. The issues you are facing, like fingerprint sensor, will get resolved after updating your device with the latest IOS version. 

Go to settings, then click on general. In the software update option, you will see ‘download and install.’ After updating, try to use the fingerprint sensor on your device. 

2. Restart/Reboot Your Device

Some small bugs can be resolved by rebooting your device. Follow the following steps to reboot your iPhone device.

Steps to restart/reboot iPhone 6s, 5s, 5c, 6, or older model:

• Long press on the round shape’ home button located in the middle of the screen. Simultaneously click on the right-side button on the device. 
• When Apple Logo appears on your screen, immediately remove your fingers from both the buttons. 

Steps to restart/reboot iPhone 7 or 7 Plus:

• On the right side of your smartphone, long press the button. Simultaneously click on the volume decreasing button on the left side.
• When Apple Logo appears on your screen, immediately remove your fingers from both the buttons. 

Steps to restart/reboot iPhone 8, SE, Xseries, 11,12 and 13 :

• There are two volume buttons on the left side of the iPhone. One is to increase the volume, and the other is to decrease the volume. 
• Press on the upper button that increases the volume and fastly removes your finger from it. 
• Then, press the button below that decreases the volume and immediately remove your finger. 
• Then, long press on the right-side power button. Immediately remove your finger when Apple Logo appears on the screen. 

Then, your iPhone will restart, and you can set the new fingerprint properly and then use it. 

3. Clean Your Finger And Sensor Before Opening Apple Pay Through Touch ID

Firstly, clean your scanned finger properly with water and then a clean, dry cloth. Maybe any dirt is creating a problem with the fingerprint sensor or maybe your finger. 

A wet finger or if anything applied on the finger can create issues while scanning. If you have used any lotion or cream on your finger, first clean it properly. Also, clean the fingerprint sensor with a clean, dry cloth. Then, try to scan your finger on the fingerprint sensor. 

4. Turn The Passcode Off And Restart Your Device

Firstly turn off the passcode in your device and then restart your device and enable the passcode again. 

Steps to Turn off passcode on your Apple Device:

• Go to Settings on your device, scroll down and click on ‘Touch ID and Passcode.’
• Then, enter your correct device password required on the screen. 
• Click on ‘Turn passcode off’. Then a small box will show up on the screen. Read the information in the box and then click on ‘turn off.

Then, follow the 5th step to restart/reboot your device.

Steps to turn on passcode on your Apple Device:

• Go to Settings on your device, scroll down and click on ‘Touch ID and Passcode.’
• Click on ‘turn passcode on.’
• Then, again a small box will show on your screen. You can either choose from the saved fingerprints or add a new fingerprint. Keep the fingerprints if you want. Or delete them by clicking on ‘delete.’
• Then, enter the passcode and click on done.

5. Use The Correct Finger And Place It Properly On The Sensor

Put the correct finger on the sensor and do not immediately remove your finger from the reader. Keep your finger for some time so that the fingerprint reader can scan and recognize your finger. Press smoothly on the button and make sure to not move your finger when the reader is detecting your print. 

6. Enable Touch ID And Passcode For Apple Pay

Make sure Apple Touch ID and passcode are enabled on your device. If it is not enabled on your device, it will not work in the Apple Pay wallet app. Follow the below steps to enable Apple ID for Apple Pay.

Steps to Enable Touch ID and Passcode for Apple Pay:

• In your Apple device, go to gettings.
• Then, click on ‘touch ID and passcode’ settings.
• Enter your device passcode to open it. 
• Click on the circle in front of Apple Pay. After enabling it, it will turn green. After that, it will be enabled for Apple Pay. 

7. Reset Your Network Settings

After resetting network settings, all your saved things will get removed from the device except gallery photos, songs, and installed apps.

Except that all passwords, VPN configurations, and connected devices options will permanently disappear from your device. 

Steps to reset network settings on Apple Device:

• On your device, go to settings and click on ‘general’. 
• At the bottom of the screen, click on the ‘reset’ option. 
• Then multiple reset options will be shown on the screen. Click on ‘reset network settings.’
• After that, enter your passcode and click on ‘reset network settings.’

That’s it! Now you can use Touch ID on Apple Pay if this is the issue.

8. Reset Finger For Touch ID

• Go to settings click on the ‘touch ID and passcode’ option in settings. 
• Then, the device will ask you to enter a password to verify. Enter your passcode.
• There is a section below ‘fingerprints’. Below the section, there will be a list of fingers saved on the device. 
• Click on the finger twice and then click on ‘delete fingerprint.’ Delete all the fingerprints by following the same steps. 
• Then click on ‘Add a fingerprint’ and set a new fingerprint on your device. 

Make sure you have enabled Touch ID and fingerprint for Apple Pay in your device settings. To check, follow the 5th step to check whether Apple Pay is enabled or not. 

At last, if any of the above solutions didn’t work for you, delete all the history and reset and restart your device. If still, it doesn’t work, reach out to the nearest Apple retail store to find out the problem. 

How To Fix “Apple Touch ID Is Not Activating” ?

Your Touch ID is not working in your Apple device after following the above steps, and you are unable to complete the touch ID set up. It might show you some error or touch ID greyed out when you try to activate Touch ID in your settings. Try these below methods so that your Apple Touch ID gets activated. 

1. Sign Out From Apple ID

• On your device, go to the settings.
• Click on your name written on the top of the settings page. 
• Then, at the bottom, you will see an option ‘sign out.’ Click on it. 
• Now, you are logged out from your Apple ID. 

In the end, enter your Apple ID and password to log in again, and then try to activate the touch ID on your device. 

2. Remove The Device From Charging

There is a possibility that your device might have heated up. Remove the device from charging or if connected with a PC or laptop. There can be a possibility that the issue is occurring due to power. Give your device some time to cool, and then try to activate Touch ID without charging. 

3. Contact Support Team 

If your Touch ID is still not activating, contact Apple support or go to the nearest Apple Retail store. Tell them about the problem and show the Touch ID and passcode option on your Apple device. 

Also Read: How To Withdraw Money From Apple Pay?

Why Do You Need To Enter Passcode Instead Of Touch ID?

You cannot always use touch ID in all situations. Sometimes you need to enter the passcode in some conditions- 

1. If your device is not able to accept your fingerprint continuously five times. 
2. You need to enter your passcode if you reboot your device.
3. If you have recently deleted or applied with a new fingerprint.
4. You have to enter the passcode even when using your device after 48 long hours. 
5. If you have used Emergency SOS, you have to enter the passcode.
6. You will also have to enter the passcode if you open Touch ID & passcode in your device settings. 

How To Use Apple Pay With Touch ID?

You can easily use Apple Pay with Touch ID on the Apple device. Follow the below steps to use Apple Pay with Touch ID. 

Steps To Use Apple Pay With Touch ID:

1. On your Apple Device, put your correct finger properly on the fingerprint sensor. It will scan your finger, and your device will open through the touch ID sensor. 
2. Then, on your Apple Pay wallet, choose the card you want to use to make the payment at the store. 
3. Take your device near the contactless reader to make the payment. 
4. Keep your iPhone back in your pocket after payment is made and when you see it done on your Apple Pay. 

Conclusion

Apple Pay is not working for some users, Touch ID fingerprint sensor not recognizing their fingerprints. Apple has acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix. Touch ID not working could be caused by some factors, such as dirt or sweat on the phone screen. 

Users are advised to try cleaning their phone screens and/or using another finger to unlock their phones. In the meantime, Apple Pay can still be used with passcodes.