If your iPhone 6S Touch ID has failed but you’re not getting a notification, it can be puzzling and inconvenient. If you’ve replaced the screen on an iPhone 6S and transferred the home button to the replacement screen (but Touch ID doesn’t work and it immediately says failed) while you aren’t getting a notification like you would expect, the issue is most likely with the replacement hardware you installed. You’ll want to reseat everything to make sure it’s not an installation problem and check for damage on the flex cable. Here’s some more inforamtion on understanding the possible reasons for this issue and how to resolve it.
Understanding the Issue
What is Touch ID?
Touch ID is Apple’s fingerprint recognition feature, which provides an easy and secure way to unlock your iPhone and authorize payments. It uses the Home button and the surrounding metal ring to detect and analyze your fingerprints.
Causes of Touch ID Failures
Touch ID can fail due to various reasons. Common causes include a dirty or damaged Home button, software glitches, outdated iOS, or a mismatch between the enrolled fingerprint data and the scanned fingerprint.
Will transferring the proximity sensor/camera affect Touch ID?
No. For the iPhone 6 those two components will not affect Touch ID.
Solutions to the Problem
Cleaning the Home Button
Oil, dirt, or moisture on the Home button can interfere with fingerprint recognition. Gently cleaning the Home button with a lint-free cloth can resolve this issue.
Re-enrolling Your Fingerprints
Incorrectly enrolled fingerprints can lead to Touch ID failures. To re-enroll, go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > Enter your passcode > Delete the existing fingerprints > Add a new fingerprint.
Restarting Your iPhone
Rebooting your iPhone can fix temporary software issues. Hold the side button and the volume button until you see the power off slider. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone, then press the side button to turn it back on.
Updating iOS
Outdated iOS can cause compatibility issues with Touch ID. Check for updates in Settings > General > Software Update.
Resetting All Settings
If all else fails, you can try resetting all settings. This won’t erase your data, but it will reset settings like Wi-Fi passwords and wallpaper. Navigate to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings.
Advanced Analysis
On the iPhone 6S the Touch ID cable is built into the screen, so if you just swapped in a new screen that is most likely the issue. The new screen could be bad or the cable attached to it might be bad. Try a new screen to see if that fixes your issue before doing anything else.
When to Seek Professional Assistance
If the issue persists after trying all the above steps, it may be time to seek professional assistance. Reach out to Apple Support or visit an iPhone Repair Provider.
Conclusion
While a failed Touch ID without any notification can be frustrating, the steps above can often resolve the issue. However, if the problem persists, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Your iPhone’s security is paramount!
FAQs
- What is Touch ID? Touch ID is Apple’s fingerprint recognition feature used for unlocking the iPhone and authorizing payments.
- Why is my Touch ID not working? Reasons can include a dirty or damaged Home button, software glitches, outdated iOS, or incorrectly enrolled fingerprints.
- How can I fix my Touch ID? You can clean the Home button, re-enroll your fingerprints, restart your iPhone, update iOS, or reset all settings.
- What to do if my Touch ID still doesn’t work? If all troubleshooting steps fail, it’s best to reach out to Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
- Does resetting all settings delete data? No, resetting all settings does not erase your data, but it does reset system settings like Wi-Fi passwords and wallpaper.

Hi! I’m Eric and I work on the knowledge base at GadgetMates.com. You can see some of my writings about technology, cellphone repair, and computer repair here.
When I’m not writing about tech I’m playing with my dog or hanging out with my girlfriend.
Shoot me a message at ericchan@gadgetmates.com if you want to see a topic discussed or have a correction on something I’ve written.