Touch ID has been a groundbreaking inclusion in the MacBook Pro Devices since late 2016. Availing users with easy access to their Mac without entering the passwords did help Apple gain unmatched loyalty. Excluding a couple of odd experiences wherein the MacBook Pro Touch ID is not working, I have personally loved the feature since its launch. Though I initially presumed it to happen with just me, I later found this to be a common glitch faced by numerous across the globe. The reason could be any, but the result is an inconvenience.
- When attempting to sign in to Outlook 2016 for Mac, it repeatedly asks for my password.
- My laptop wasn't charging for a while, so I forgot the password for it. I went to log back in, and when I remembered I forgot the password, I went to reset it with my apple id, all the info was correct, I even changed the pass and email used, but it still wasn't working. I'm not sure what to do. I have a Mac Book Air.
Your Mac is not compatible: Remember, to use Auto Unlock, you must have a 2013 Mac or newer. Your software isn't compatible: If you own an Apple Watch Series 0, 1, or 2, you'll need watchOS 3 or later and macOS Sierra or later to use Auto Unlock; the Apple Watch Series 3 requires watchOS 4 and macOS High Sierra or later.
I then thought of sharing the possible reasons and solutions behind why my Touch ID stopped working on MacBook Pro. With hope it helps you, let’s have a look at them.
Food for Brain!! Know your Touch ID.
Solution 1. Dry Your Fingers
This is the most common reason all of us face. The fingerprint sensor on your Mac will not respond if your finger is dirty or wet. Count it a ‘Cleanliness feature’ and know that your MacBook Pro loves it when you use the sensor with clean and dry fingers.
Solution 2. Update your macOS
After knowing your fingers are clean, but the Touch ID is still not working, this can be your second step. Here’s how to check for updates in macOS and execute it.
Note: To perform the steps, you’ll have to have your Mac unlocked. So if your Touch ID isn’t responding, enter your password to unlock it for once. And then,
- Locate and click on the Apple icon located at the top left corner of the screen and go to System Preferences.
- Now click on the Software Update icon. The next window will tell you if there’s any software update. If available, Install and download it.
Solution 3. Delete And Re-Add Your Touch ID Fingerprints on Mac
If it still doesn’t work, it’s time to delete the prevailing fingerprints and re-add them using Touch ID. Here’s how you can do it.
How to Delete your Fingerprints
- Click on the Apple icon located at the top left corner and select System Preferences from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the Touch ID in the window. Now hover over the fingerprint you want to remove until you see the tiny ‘x’ mark in the upper left corner.
- Click on the ‘x’ mark to delete. Confirm after adding your password.
How to Re-add your Fingerprints
- Click on the Apple icon located at the top left corner and select System Preferences from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the Touch ID from the window and select Add a Fingerprint.
- Enter your password and feed your fingerprint.
Solution 4. Reset the SMC
If none of those mentioned steps worked for you, resetting SMC (System Management Controller) is the last option left. The SMC on your MacBook Pro is responsible for managing settings like thermal and battery management.
Though it rarely happens if it doesn’t work well, it can increase your device’s performance-related issues. This is why when basic troubleshooting fails, this is chosen as the last option.
Here’s how you do it:
Note: Make sure that your Mac isn’t connected to a power socket and you have shut it down.
- Hold Shift+Control+Option and power button together for around 10 seconds and then let go.
- Now plug in the power cable and start your Mac. You have reset your SMC.
Food For Brain…
Things to Know About Touch ID?
Before we begin, let’s have a look at some important dates:
- Touch ID made its debut with the iPhone 5s in 2013.
- In 2015, the second generation was launched, which became an integral part of Apple Pay with iPhone 6s.
- The same year, it was introduced in iPad Air 2.
What Does Touch ID Do on MacBook Pro?
Touch ID utilizes electronic fingerprint recognition technology to allow users to unlock and access numerous features on their device in a secure manner. The information collected is kept in a secure enclave on the Apple A7 chip and those released later.
My Password For My Mac Is Not Working Iphone
The thin strip on your MacBook Pro allows you to;
- Shutdown, restart, and perform sleep mode.
- Unlock and access your mac. (You’ll have to enter your password or provide fingerprints)
- Access system preferences and other areas that may require a password.
- Make purchases using Apple Pay, App Store, iTunes Store, and iBook store.
- Force shutdown or restart. (The fingerprint panel acts as a button. You can long-press it to do so.)
When Was Touch ID First Introduced in MacBook Pro?
The first MacBook Pro to receive Touch ID was in the year 2016. Since then it is located on the right side of the Touch Bar.
Did You Know Who Invented Touch ID for Apple?
Well, interesting it may sound, the technology was initially recognized as AuthenTec’s fingerprint technology. It was invented by Scott Moody, a co-founder of AuthenTec, a mobile and network security company.
Apple acquired the company for a whopping $356 million in cash in 2012. After three years of research and work, they launched it with the Apple 5s.
Found this Interesting? Or have an addition to make? Do let me know in the comment section below.
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Mayank is a published author and a tech-blogger with over ten years of writing experience for various domains and industries. At iGeeks, he mostly writes about blogs that solve user-problems and guide them on unleashing the full potential of their Apple Device. He can often be found with his headphones on, typing to the rhythm of some country song.
My Password For My Mac Is Not Working How Do I
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