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