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

Since upgrading to OS 26 Tahoe, my Touch ID only works sporadically to log in after sleep. There have been times, after walking away from my laptop for over an hour, when I tap the keyboard to wake it up that the screen initially shows the last thing I was working on as though no password is needed but then that quickly disappears and I have to enter my password because there is no Touch ID option. Other times, after the same time asleep, I have the Touch ID option available. I own a 2019 MacBook Pro (Intel processor) and it's possible that is part of my issue, but I'm hoping someone here might have a solution.

Any ideas anyone?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 26.0

Posted on Sep 18, 2025 7:52 AM

Top-ranking reply

bytesizedbeauty

Level 1

20 points

Posted on Sep 22, 2025 7:13 AM

Turning off Touch ID then turning it back on worked for me. Didn’t have to redo Touch ID or make any changes.

System settings > Touch ID & Password > Use Touch ID to unlock your Mac - toggle off then toggle on

If that doesn’t work, toggle off, close system settings, wait a few seconds reopen and toggle on. You can also toggle off, restart your Mac then toggle it back on

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87 replies

Sep 27, 2025 10:57 AM in response to photojeep1722

I have the M2 15inch MBA, exact same problem within minutes of ugrade to Tahoe. Deleted my print , restarted a couple of times to no avail ,now unable to set up a new fingerprint, sensor just will not read it at all. (UK model)

Sep 28, 2025 1:53 AM in response to photojeep1722

I have the exact model of Mac and I am facing the same issue ,but I have another issue which is that my laptop doesn't actually wake up from sleep until I press the power button ,tried nvram reset more like a short term fix (for me at least),all other fixes also doesn't seem to do the job so I think I will wait for the next update in hope they fix these bugs

Sep 30, 2025 6:47 PM in response to leroydouglas

I've been grappling with this for two weeks: no fingerprint option on the lock screen or at start up. I've deleted and re-added the fingerprints, turned Touch ID off and on, but to no avail. Most of the time when I try to turn Touch ID back on, it won't do it unless I restart (even with a password re-enter).

2025 M4 MB Air Tahoe

plaws0

Level 1

22 points

Oct 20, 2025 7:37 PM in response to photojeep1722

Any acknowledgement from the mothership that this is an issue? Affects 15.7 and 26. Affects Intel and Mx Macbooks. I presume this is intended to annoy people into buying new hardware so will guess that the newest hardware is not affected.

The 15-second penalty for keeping an older Mac going.

Oct 26, 2025 5:35 PM in response to photojeep1722

It is as if I wrote this myself. I have the exact same problem with all the same issues. I have tried toggling off the Touch ID and rebooted and cut it back on, cleaned the Touch ID button which was clean and works after I get the computer logged in, and cancelled and added a fingerprint. Nothing works. This started when I downloaded Tahoe 26. I have been waiting on an update. Apple needs to do better.

Auriam

Level 1

8 points

Nov 4, 2025 6:48 PM in response to leroydouglas

It's driving me nuts. I manually delete and re-add three fingerprints, they work for a little while, maybe a day or two, then they completely stop working again. I have an M1 MacBook Air from 2020. It worked fine before I updated - and I wish I could just go back to Sequoia.

osiegmar

Level 1

0 points

Nov 8, 2025 2:43 AM in response to photojeep1722

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!