Troubleshooting iTunes and App Store purchases on Macs with Touch ID

Although the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with Touch Bar officially support Touch ID authorization of both App Store and iTunes purchases, setting it up can be a bit of a process. At first, I couldn't get Touch ID to work at all in either application; thankfully, through some troubleshooting, I managed to figure out a good process for enabling the feature for both stores. Here's how to get Touch ID working with each app.

First: Check your software

In order to use Touch ID for iTunes and Mac App Store purchases on your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, you need the latest software. If you're having trouble getting Touch ID to work with iTunes or the App Store, make sure your Mac's operating system is up to date.

  1. Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your Mac.

  2. Select About this Mac. You should see MacOS Mojave with the version number under it. If you are running an older version of macOS, update it now.

    Click on the Apple icon, then click About this Mac

To update macOS:

  1. Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your Mac.

  2. Click on **System Preferences.

    Click on the Apple icon, then click on System Preferences

  3. Click on Software Updates.
  4. Click on Update Now. Enter your password if prompted.

  5. Click on Restart when prompted.

    Click on Software Updates, then click on Update Now, then click on Update Now, then click on Restart when prompted

Second: Re-trigger permission to use Touch for iTunes and Mac App Store purchases

  1. Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your Mac.

  2. Click on System Preferences.

    Click on the Apple icon, then click on System Preferences

  3. Select the Touch ID preference pane.
  4. Uncheck the iTunes & App Store checkbox under "Use Touch ID for".
  5. Re-check the iTunes & App Store check box.

  6. Enter your computer password (not the password for your Apple ID).

    Click on Touch ID, then tick the box for iTunes and App Store

  7. Visit iTunes or the Mac App Store apps and navigate to an item you'd like to download.
  8. Press the Buy button on an app or song you'd like to download.
  9. Enter your Apple ID password.

  10. Press Yes when it prompts you to use Touch ID for future purchases.

    Click on an app to buy, then enter your password, then click buy, then select Touch ID when prompted

The item you've chosen will begin to download; afterward, you'll be able to use Touch ID for all future purchases in that app.

The iTunes Store and Mac App Store have separate Touch ID authorizations, so you'll need to repeat steps 7 - 10 in the other app if you'd like to use Touch ID in both stores.

Third: Give permission to use Touch ID to make purchases for iTunes and the Mac App Store

  1. Visit iTunes or the Mac App Store apps and navigate to an item you'd like to download.
  2. Press the Buy button on an app or song you'd like to download.
  3. Scan your fingerprint on your Mac's Touch ID sensor when prompted.

Questions?

Let me know in the comments.

Updated May 2019: Updated for macOS Mojave.

The Mac lineup

Main

macOS Sierra

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