Touch ID works best when it knows more than one finger. You can save up to five fingerprints on an iPhone with Touch ID, such as both thumbs and an index finger, so you can unlock comfortably whichever hand you use. This guide shows how to add another fingerprint, rename and delete prints, improve recognition, and fix “Unable to complete Touch ID setup.” It applies to iPhones with a Home button (iPhone 5s through iPhone 8 and the iPhone SE models) and iPads with Touch ID.
Quick Answer
Open Settings > Touch ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and tap Add a Fingerprint. Rest the new finger on the Home button repeatedly as prompted, then adjust your grip to capture the edges.
How to Add Another Fingerprint
- Open Settings and tap Touch ID & Passcode.
- Enter your passcode.
- Under Fingerprints, tap Add a Fingerprint.
- Touch the Home button with the new finger, without pressing it, and lift it each time you feel a vibration.
- When prompted to Adjust Your Grip, place the edges and tip of your finger on the button.
- Tap Continue when the fingerprint is complete.
Rename or Delete a Fingerprint
- Find which one is which: on the Touch ID & Passcode screen, touch the Home button. The matching fingerprint briefly highlights.
- Rename: tap the fingerprint (for example, “Finger 1”) and type a name like “Left Thumb.”
- Delete: tap the fingerprint and tap Delete Fingerprint. Delete old prints before adding new ones if you’ve used all five.
Tips for Better Recognition
- Add the same finger twice. If one finger fails often, save it again as a second print, especially in different positions.
- Make sure your finger and the Home button are clean and dry.
- Cover the whole button with your finger, touching the metal ring.
- Remove any case or screen protector that covers the button or ring.
- In cold or dry weather, moisturize your hands; very dry skin reads poorly.
Choose What Touch ID Unlocks
On the same screen, turn on the features you want: iPhone Unlock, iTunes & App Store (or App Store), Wallet & Apple Pay and Password AutoFill. Many banking and password apps also offer Touch ID in their own settings.
Troubleshooting
- “Unable to complete Touch ID setup”: restart the iPhone, update iOS, clean the button, and try again. Deleting all fingerprints and re-adding them can help.
- Add a Fingerprint is grayed out: you already have five fingerprints. Delete one first.
- Touch ID stopped working after a repair: Touch ID is paired to the iPhone’s logic board, so a non-Apple Home button replacement won’t support Touch ID.
- Passcode required anyway: iPhone asks for your passcode after a restart, after 48 hours without unlocking, and after five failed fingerprint attempts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else’s fingerprint unlock my iPhone?
Only if you add it. You can add a family member’s fingerprint, but they’ll then be able to unlock the phone and possibly use Apple Pay.
Where is my fingerprint data stored?
In the Secure Enclave on your device. Apple says it isn’t uploaded to iCloud or Apple’s servers.
How many fingerprints can I add?
Up to five.
Summary
- Settings > Touch ID & Passcode.
- Enter your passcode.
- Tap Add a Fingerprint and follow the prompts.
- Rename prints and add the same finger twice for better accuracy.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.