Clearing TouchID fingerprints from a T2 / Apple Silicon Macs

Owned by Ed Bobak
Last updated: Oct 08, 2024
1 min read

Overview

If you're encountering an error indicating that the fingerprint limit has been reached on your T2-equipped Mac or Apple Silicon, but can't delete any fingerprints or see any in System Preferences > TouchID, this guide will help you resolve the issue by clearing the fingerprint cache via the terminal.

Prerequisites

  • Administrative Privileges: You need to have admin rights on the Mac to execute the required command.

  • Terminal Access: Basic familiarity with the terminal application.

Steps to Clear TouchID Fingerprints

  1. Open Terminal:

    • You can find Terminal in Applications > Utilities > Terminal or by searching for "Terminal" using Spotlight.

  2. Execute the Command:

    • Type or copy-paste the following command into the Terminal window and press Enter:

      sudo bioutil --purge --system

    • You will be prompted to enter your admin password. The characters will not appear on the screen as you type for security reasons.

  3. Confirm Deletion:

    • This command will remove all fingerprints currently enrolled on your Mac. There is no undo, so ensure you want to proceed before entering the command.

Troubleshooting & Support

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Additional Resources