After upgrade to OS 26 Touch ID only works sporadically on 2019 MacBook Pro

I got a new iPad and it has whatever the new thing is so decided to put whatever the new thing is on my 2019 16" Intel MBP ... 26.1 had come out in the meantime and ... Apple seems to have fixed it.

15.7.2 is out, too, for those trying not to play the churn game and hopefully that addresses the issue as well.

I have the exact same issue and am using the exact same 16" MacBook Pro from 2019. I have already tried ALL suggestions multiple times with no resolution. It's not hardware, as Touch ID works perfectly in every scenario other than the logging into macOS and only started giving me problems when upgrading to Tahoe.

I'm also having (extremely disruptive) issues with my right arrow key on the built-in keyboard... it works about 50% of the time. This also started happening with os 26. However, I'm afraid this one might actually be hardware-related - just wondering if anyone else is experiencing similar issues...

Well just a heads up I updated my Mac to 26.0.1 ,the Touch Bar and sleep issue seems to be solved but the Touch ID is still doing the same thing ,worked for 30 secs after I updated the Mac then back to not functioning during login ,had some words with apple support they were like I can try to reset the computer but its still not going to be a guaranteed fix ,fed up they just told me to have a call with the senior advisors

Exactly my problem, but after update to Sequoia 15.7.0, then also 15.7.1. I was hoping .1 was going to fix this.

Occasionally it will work as normal, generally when recently using it. If it sets maybe an hour or more I have to enter my pass code and it will work, or wait 20 seconds or so and it will do so without the pass code. Worked fine previously.

The very same problem appeared for me after updating to Sonoma 14.8.1 (23J30)

The Touch ID works sporadically indeed (no control over it), I'm very often presented only with the option to enter my password to unlock my MacBook Air. Furthermore, when starting to enter the password, suddenly, it decides to automatically select the entered characters (before finishing entering the password) and then, of course, I need to restart typing my password.

This turns out to be a serious downgrade that has already slow me so many times I cannot remember (in less than 2 weeks!)

Before this update, the unlocking was working perfectly fine - and I was only asked for my password from time to time (you all know the classic cases when haven't logged in for 48 hours, or when 5 wrong fingerprints are presented, etc.)

well I am not sure what is up with this bug in my case the Mac doesn't even wake up from sleep I have to press and hold the power button and then wait for the password field to be visible ,quite annoying in my opinion as it works fine in browsers and stuff but once I close the clamshell yep it all goes downhill ,tried reaching out to apple support they recommended to boot into safe mode but its still not a fix works for a day then back to the same . Reported the bug several times but no response or fix .This issue started from Tahoe 26.0 and should have been fixed 26.0.1(the Touch ID worked for one day after that),some people have stated some fixes here but they seem more like temporary solutions (in my case at least)

I came across this blog through a Google search, and I also own a 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro. I can confirm that this issue only appeared after upgrading to macOS 26.0.0 / 26.0.1. While there seem to be some possible workarounds, there’s a clear problem in the login process that causes a delay in accepting input from the fingerprint reader. It’s disappointing that Apple allowed such an obvious bug to slip through, especially since it occurs right at the login stage.

osiegmar wrote:

I'm having the exact same issue for several years with MacBooks as well as Mac Minis and iMacs. Right now I'm having this issue with my Mac Mini with an M4 Pro chip and my Apple Magic Keyboard USB-C running macOS 26.1.

Very frustrating!

For others, the issue only appeared with the release of MacOS 26.0.1 and was resolved in 26.1. Previously on Sequoia, it was Mac OS 15.7.1 that introduced the bug and was resolved in 15.7.2.

If you have been experiencing the problem for many years across different Macs, you are having a unique problem, maybe due to a third party software conflict. I would suggest to create a new post where your System can be looked at more closely and include the machine details and OS version and concentrate on one device, where it is likely the same solution will apply to the others as well. There are tools like the free EtreCheck report that have been very helpful in resolving issues on a device and that report can be included in your new post. There is no personal information in the report.

How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community

I tried reinstalling the OS. This does not solve the problem. The bug comes from the OS.

I doubt a hardware issue... this type of bug after updates is not new.

Fingers crossed, this does seem a little better in macOS 26.0.1. I've been able to use Touch ID from sleep a few times successfully, which is much more often than on 26.0.

I hear ya. But my 2019 Intel has never had Tahoe on it and my symptoms are the same - 15.7 has the same issue and 15.7.1 didn't change anything. 15.6 was fine.

I'm having a related issue. I have a 2020 Macbook Pro (Intel) and the issue started earlier this week when I installed the security update to Sequoia 15.7. When I wake my Macbook from sleep, it asks for a password. If I use my finger on the power button, it used to just wake up. Now, it can take up to a minute of touching the power button over and over until it finally reacts and wakes. If I'm in a hurry, I just bail out and manually type in my password (at which point it wakes immediately). But it's taken up to 2 mins of trying before reacting to the fingerprint.

I had originally thought it only happened when the computer went to sleep but now i know that it actually always works. its just some times i have to wait up to 20 seconds before i can use my print. sometimes it works instantly.

not sure if it matters but my Mac Pro is 2019 intel based

zorkmaracmur181 wrote:

I had originally thought it only happened when the computer went to sleep but now i know that it actually always works. its just some times i have to wait up to 20 seconds before i can use my print. sometimes it works instantly.

not sure if it matters but my Mac Pro is 2019 intel based

Mac Pro is a Desktop— so you re saying this with an external keyboard & TouchID as well on Tahoe(?)