iMac Touch ID

[PapaRed1]

Apple M1 iMac with Ventura 13.2.1
Have several times successfully set the Touch ID for my iMac, but on the next time the screen goes blank, my finger won't "wake" up the computer. The screen display comes on, but it asks for the password. I have reset several times and used different fingers, but it doesn't accept my fingerprint.

 

[lclev]

I wish I had a fix for you but my MBP M1 (13.2.1) has the same issues. I set up my finger prints, they might work or might not then stops working all together. I have deleted my prints and reset them again and again. I just figured it is because my hands are old with lots of creases which makes them hard to read. I have never had a finger print reader that works well. My iPad did the best for a while and it had given up too.

Lisa

 

[Raz0rEdge]

On my MBP, here are my settings to use the TouchID to unlock the machine when it goes to sleep and do other actions..


This is the panel on my Monterey system. Ventura likely has a different panel, but should have similar settings.

 

[PapaRed1]

Maybe the issue is old fingerprints? It works on my iPhone, but.......

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Maybe the issue is old fingerprints? It works on my iPhone, but.......

Your devices are NOT linked. Each device has to have the fingerprints setup independently on them.

 

[PapaRed1]

Yes, I'm aware that iOS and Mac OS are not the same. That's why I posted here.

 

[IWT]

Just to reiterate: any security method you employ on any Device - iOS or macOS - is unique to that Device.

You can have 2 iPhones, 3 iPads and 4 Macs - still, each individual one has to be secured by whatever method, on an individual basis.

I mean no offence. Just emphasising the point.

Ian

 

[MacInWin]

Getting back to the original problem, when I am prompted for a password, there is a message on that screen telling me why the fingerprint didn't work. Do you see that, and if so, what is it?

 

[Rod]

I have a 14" M1 MBP and absolutely no problems using the two Fingerprint ID's I have entered; My own and my wife's.
Below is the Ventura Settings display for Touch ID which unlike Monterey includes my Apple Watch as an option.


Short of removing the existing fingerprints and storing them over again I'm at at a loss to think of a fix.
One thing I did see mentioned in Apple Support If Touch ID isn't working on your Mac was to ensure that Automatic Login is switched off. In Ventura this is described differently as "Automatically login as..." Either way it needs to be off. See below;

 

[PapaRed1]

No code on mine- my photo, name, and "use password"
Checked to confirm "Automatic Login" was OFF

 

[MacInWin]

In Settings, wherever the power settings are, make sure the system doesn't nap when the screen goes dark. Let the CPU keep ticking over. I think what may be happening is the BT keyboard is disconnecting somehow when the system goes to sleep and the wakeup doesn't reconnect the finger pad. it's a stretch, but see if keeping the CPU running instead of napping keeps the BT connection. I would give more explicit directions but I don't have an iMac, so you will have to look in Settings. You can search there for "nap" to see if that helps.

 

[IWT]

I would give more explicit directions but I don't have an iMac, so you will have to look in Settings. You can search there for "nap" to see if that helps.

There you go, Jake.



In the case of the OP, "Enable Power Nap" can be unchecked. For the OP, you will need to click on the Padlock, bottom left of the pane (not shown here to Dave space), enter your Mac's Admin PW and make the appropriate changes as suggested by Jake.

Ian