Clearing TouchID fingerprints from a T2 / Apple Silicon Macs

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

If you encounter any issues or have questions, please reach out to us via Slack. We are here to assist you!

Additional Resources

• Apple Support: For more detailed information about TouchID and managing fingerprints, visit Apple's official support page for TouchID.