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Update could greatly improve iPhone 5s fingerprint scanning accuracy

posted by Michael H. / Feb 28, 2014, 1:17 PM

Update could greatly improve iPhone 5s fingerprint scanning accuracy

While the Touch ID fingerprint scanner for the iPhone 5s has been an impressive addition to the handset, some users have had issues with accuracy and reliability. The concerns have been growing louder, because it seems the problem has been one that gets worse over time. But, a new rumor says that Apple is readying a fix for Touch ID.

Some users have noted that the accuracy of the Touch ID would "fade" over time. A workaround to the problem would be to simply retrain the system, but the issue has been persistent, so you would end up having to retrain the system with your fingerprint at regular intervals. This is a similar issue to that found on the Motorola ATRIX 4G which used the AuthenTec fingerprint scanner technology before Apple purchased AuthenTec.

Supposedly, Apple has figured out how to fix the issue and is getting ready to release a software update to address problems. Unfortunately, we don't know when the update will be coming. It is possible that the fix is part of the iOS 7.1 update that is due out within the next month, but that can't be confirmed at this time.

source: AppleInsider

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43 Comments

1. Kishin

Posts: 706; Member since: May 30, 2013

I am still using iPhone5 and 4s..

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 1:25 PM 1

2. plary122

Posts: 33; Member since: Apr 11, 2012

I have some issues with touch id. I hope they'll get fixed. Really annoying.

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 1:27 PM 1

20. Sauce unregistered

My experience has been flawless so far, minus two reasonable things: oily/dirty fingers. Not a huge problem but yea, 100 times better than Samsungs or HTCs fingerprint scanner.

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 2:43 PM 3

23. darkkjedii

Posts: 30969; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

For me touch id is always 100% accurate. Never an issue.

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 3:13 PM 5

27. Sauce unregistered

Likewise, but when I'm a dirty dirty boy, Touch ID likes to play

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 3:53 PM 0

30. darkkjedii

Posts: 30969; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Alright Mr. Dirty boy lol

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 4:23 PM 0

33. wilsong17 unregistered

lol how dumb are you the gs5 its not even out yet so how can you say is not better than the i5

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 5:37 PM 5

36. nctx77

Posts: 2540; Member since: Sep 03, 2013

Umm...who said anything about the S 5?

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 6:02 PM 0

37. ph00ny

Posts: 2026; Member since: May 26, 2011

You've tried S5's fingerprint reader already?

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 6:15 PM 3

40. techaman unregistered

how can you say that samsung never had one on a phone until now ans thats not even out

posted on Mar 01, 2014, 10:57 AM 0

31. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Question is, how are they planning on fixing a print fading issue if touch id doesn't store the finger print on the phones internal memory? They said the OS didn't have access to the prints, but it can apparently be accessed a good deal by the OS if software can fix this problem. Oh well as long as they actually fix it and don't just tell you to press it a different way.

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 4:26 PM 0

34. darkkjedii

Posts: 30969; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

I'd love to read your comments on an article about apple recusing a kitten stuck in a tree.

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 5:42 PM 0

35. darkkjedii

Posts: 30969; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Rescuing

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 6:01 PM 0

32. TechFreak

Posts: 15; Member since: Mar 22, 2013

For me it works like only 50% of the time.. It is really annoying..

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 4:41 PM 1

39. microsoftnokiawin

Posts: 1268; Member since: Mar 30, 2012

my friends has a 5s and so far i've had 0/a million attempts of successfully entering so at least we know if it won't let you in it won't let anyone else !

posted on Mar 01, 2014, 7:14 AM 0

3. Gaurav008

Posts: 328; Member since: Jul 20, 2012

"Do they even test these things before releasing them?"

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 1:38 PM 8

7. ecmedic4

Posts: 520; Member since: May 02, 2013

Yes they test them, but just like any other company, they can't predict every lil issue that might pop up eventually, that is why software updates are released with any OS your running. Its not like no other OEM has had software feature issues...look at the GS4 when it was released, there were complaints about some of the features on it, with the air gestures and eye tracking. I haven't personally used TouchID as i have an iPhone 5, so i can't make a fair judgement on its reliability. At least they are going to address the known issues that ppl are having.

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 1:56 PM 5

8. Gaurav008

Posts: 328; Member since: Jul 20, 2012

Thank you, I didn't all of these. /s I just quoted what Mxy, the troll said in a Moto G article regarding an OTA update to fix the bugs in SMSes. Besides, this might just a generic hardware or software issue which can easily be fixed with an and moreover some reported bugs in some Iphone's don't reflect all the Iphone's Touch-Id performance. I have seen my friend's 5S, it is quite reliable.

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 2:09 PM 2

11. Scott93274

Posts: 6032; Member since: Aug 06, 2013

Is Mxyzptlk like a celebrity idiot for this site that get's quoted every time an article gets posted that contradicts his views?

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 2:27 PM 1

29. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Yes... Yes he is.

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 4:21 PM 1

12. Sniggly

Posts: 7305; Member since: Dec 05, 2009

Lol, flawless execution. 10.0.

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 2:30 PM 2

17. VZWuser76

Posts: 4974; Member since: Mar 04, 2010

I don't know what else to say, bravo sir.

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 2:38 PM 3

19. AfterShock

Posts: 4146; Member since: Nov 02, 2012

It just works, That way. +1For the myx slap.

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 2:41 PM 1

4. TechFreak123

Posts: 85; Member since: Feb 25, 2014

Wait, I thought it worked perfect, like every other feature apple implemented. /sarcasm

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 1:41 PM 0

5. plary122

Posts: 33; Member since: Apr 11, 2012

Perhaps mine one is defective. Actually, that's my second 5s. The first one also had some issues with the scanner, but they replaced it with a new one. There're people on internet who claim that their touch id works flawlessly, but i'm not sure if they lie.

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 1:54 PM 1

6. meloth1991

Posts: 39; Member since: Aug 26, 2012

i have been using my 5s for past 3 months and i have no problems with my touch id except when my fingers r smudgy or wet ...

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 1:55 PM 1

9. bugsbunny00

Posts: 2262; Member since: Jun 07, 2013

these things ruins the pride of your device,glad sony and lg dont have it.its just not the time.sometimes its better being late.

posted on Feb 28, 2014, 2:16 PM 0

10. HildyJ

Posts: 338; Member since: Aug 11, 2012

I am getting increasingly put off by the total fluff that PhoneArena is putting out. This article might as well have said that Steve Jobs' ghost was going to sprinkle fairy dust on affected phones. It's rumored that there is a problem, that Apple has fixed the problem, and that the fix might be in 7.1 (which is itself a rumor). Nobody is saying what the problem was, what the fix does to correct the problem, or anything else of even minimal substance.