Question :

Every time I try to download a new app from the AppStore on my new 2019 iPad, I am asked to install using my fingerprint, but when I put my finger on it, my finger isn’t recognized…

What is wrong ?

Answer :

What do you mean by ‘it’ ?

Do you mean that your finger isn’t recognized when you press it on the fingerprint-icon on-screen ? If so, you aren’t the first person that happens to misunderstand Apple’s directions, which can be quite confusing : on the 2019 iPad your fingerprint can only be scanned by the actual click-able menu-button that is below the screen (on the front-facing side, beneath the display), so just put your finger on the menu-button and it will be recognized 😉

note : since 2019, only the ‘regular’ iPads have Touch ID and a ‘traditional’ menu-button below the screen, the 2018 iPad Pro and newer all have Face ID (so those have face-recognition instead of fingerprint-scanning)

If that wasn’t the problem, check these :

• make sure your fingers aren’t wet or greasy ; wipe them with a dry towel and try again
• make sure the menu-button isn’t wet or greasy ; wipe it with a dry towel and try again

If that wasn’t the problem either, do this to reset your fingerprints :

• login to your iPad using your on-screen unlock code
• goto Settings.app (Gear-icon/Sprocket-icon)
• in the list on the left, click on “Touch ID & Passcode”
• in the window that opens, typ your passcode (the one that you use to unlock your iPad’s screen)
• then, at FINGERPRINTS, click on “Finger 1” and delete
• then delete all other fingerprints (like “Finger 2” and “Finger 3”) if there are any
• then click on “Add a Fingerprint” and follow the on-screen directions
• this info from the Apple-website might come in handy if you think this isn’t working as intended : https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201371
• tip 1 : it is wise to replace all fingerprint namings like “Finger 1” and “Finger 2” to something that makes more sense like “Right Index Finger” to enable yourself to only redo one fingerprint if it turns out that one of your fingerprints isn’t recognized properly
• tip 2 : the current version of iPadOS seems to have some problems recognizing fingerprints when holding the iPad in landscape-mode (so sideways, for instance when watching a full-screen video) ; this is probably due to the fact that the initial fingerprint-scans were all made while holding the iPad in portrait-mode ; so, as an extra, also include a fingerprint-scan of your right tumb while grabbing your fingers around the bottom-left side of your iPad (so a 90 degree clockwise rotated fingerprint-scan ; as if you were holding the iPad in landscape-mode)
• then, back in the “Touch ID & Passcode”  make sure that both “iPad Unlock” and “iTunes & App Store” are switched ON (“Apple Pay” and “Password AutoFill” should be turned ON only if you intend to use them on a regular basis, else the should be turned OFF)
• then exit Settings.app and go test if your fingerprints are being recognized (e.g. by getting a new app from the AppStore)

If that still doesn’t work, try setting up a fingerfrint-scan from a different finger and try again.

If you keep on having problems, go to your local AppleStore or the Apple-dealer where you bought the iPad (or else to an authorized Apple Repair Centre) and have your iPad checked for a hardware-failure of the menu-button.

That’s it 😉

enjoy !