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Apple fixes iPhone 6 Touch ID Error 53

February 20, 2016

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This error “Error 53” message only pertains to an Apple device with the Touch ID sensor

The problem has been tracked down to a hardware replacement of the home button sensor by an unauthorized repair ship. Apple support forums have been flooded with many inquiries regarding solving this error.

The Touch ID Home Button is a 500ppi biometric fingerprint sensor. When activated and configured it provides a way to use your fingerprint as a passcode to gain access to your device. The Touch ID can also be used with Apple Pay, App Store, iTunes Store and other applications. According to Apple, the Touch ID does not store any images of your fingerprint. It does however, collect a mathematical representation of your fingerprint. Apple created an advanced security architecture called the ‘Secure Enclave’, which is encoded to the devices chip to protect passcode and fingerprint data. Fingerprint data is encrypted and protected with a key available only to the Secure Enclave.

Apple also maintains it is near impossible for anyone to get a hold of the fingerprints stored on your iPhone. If your devices’ Touch ID sensor is replaced by a third party or yourself, your iPhone will no longer work.Error 53 renders a user’s device useless and deletes all data making it “irretrievable”. Some of the users affected believe that locking down the entire device is malicious and reckless, “bricking” the iPhone.

Apple states “We protect fingerprint data using a secure enclave, which is uniquely paired to the Touch ID sensor. When an iPhone is serviced by an authorized Apple Service Provider or Apple Retail Store for changes that affect the Touch ID sensor, the pairing is re-validated. This check ensures the device and the iOS features related to Touch ID remain secure. Without this unique pairing, a malicious Touch ID sensor could be substituted, thereby gaining access to the secure enclave. When iOS detects that the pairing fails, Touch ID, including Apple Pay is disabled so the device remains secure.”

Apple included steps to solve the issue on February 19th with this support page.