''Update 1/27/16''
'''What is Error 53:'''
Error 53 is indeed TouchID related. Apple states on their error info page that: “If your iOS device has Touch ID, iOS checks that the Touch ID sensor matches your device’s other components during an update or restore. This check keeps your device and the iOS features related to Touch ID secure.” That means if your home button, or home button cable are not the ones originally shipped with your phone, you could run into error 53. The incidences of Error 53 have dramatically increased after the release of iOS 9.
'''Why it sucks:'''
Apple claims this is a security measure, but TouchID is a convenience, not a necessity. Even if you have TouchID, the phone still requires a PIN. So if you were able to take a locked phone, install a new TouchID magically coded to your finger you’d still need to know the PIN. So Apple is really just locking out replacement parts. Does Apple hate third party repair? Perhaps.
It could be caused by an unforeseen error, although if that were the case they could have issued a software fix. Either way it doesn’t make us very happy, and certainly sounds like something Apple needs to fix. There should be a way to re-synchronize the native components. As long as the device requires a PIN on boot, then the device would be just as secure as it was before the part swap.
'''How do I avoid Error 53?'''
When you replace your display, use the original touch ID sensor, button, and cable. If you must replace a home button or torn cable, do not upgrade your phone OS.
'''What do you do now?'''
If you encounter Error 53 and can reinstall your original home button and original home button cable, do so. If you don’t have the original parts, and haven’t updated your phone yet, don’t. If your home button is faulty, don’t replace it, use the on-screen accessibility button, or risk bricking your phone. If you need to replace your display, be sure to transfer your button '''and''' cable to the new screen.
''Update 1/27/16''
'''What is Error 53:'''
Error 53 is indeed TouchID related. Apple states on their error info page that: “If your iOS device has Touch ID, iOS checks that the Touch ID sensor matches your device’s other components during an update or restore. This check keeps your device and the iOS features related to Touch ID secure.” That means if your home button, or home button cable are not the ones originally shipped with your phone, you could run into error 53. The incidences of Error 53 have dramatically increased after the release of iOS 9.
'''Why it sucks:'''
Apple claims this is a security measure, but TouchID is a convenience, not a necessity. Even if you have TouchID, the phone still requires a PIN. So if you were able to take a locked phone, install a new TouchID magically coded to your finger you’d still need to know the PIN. So Apple is really just locking out replacement parts. Does Apple hate third party repair? Perhaps.
It could be caused by an unforeseen error, although if that were the case they could have issued a software fix. Either way it doesn’t make us very happy, and certainly sounds like something Apple needs to fix. There should be a way to re-synchronize the native components. As long as the device requires a PIN on boot, then the device would be just as secure as it was before the part swap.
'''How do I avoid Error 53?'''
When you replace your display, use the original touch ID sensor, button, and cable. If you must replace a home button or torn cable, do not upgrade your phone OS.
'''What do you do now?'''
If you encounter Error 53 and can reinstall your original home button and original home button cable, do so. If you don’t have the original parts, and haven’t updated your phone yet, don’t. If your home button is faulty, don’t replace it, use the on-screen accessibility button, or risk bricking your phone. If you need to replace your display, be sure to transfer your button '''and''' cable to the new screen.
''Update 1/27/16''
'''What is Error 53:'''
Error 53 is indeed TouchID related. Apple states on their error info page that: “If your iOS device has Touch ID, iOS checks that the Touch ID sensor matches your device’s other components during an update or restore. This check keeps your device and the iOS features related to Touch ID secure.” That means if your home button, or home button cable are not the ones originally shipped with your phone, you could run into error 53. The incidences of Error 53 have dramatically increased after the release of iOS 9.
'''Why it sucks:'''
Apple claims this is a security measure, but TouchID is a convenience, not a necessity. Even if you have TouchID, the phone still requires a PIN. So if you were able to take a locked phone, install a new TouchID magically coded to your finger you’d still need to know the PIN. So Apple is really just locking out replacement parts. Does Apple hate third party repair? Perhaps.
It could be caused by an unforeseen error, although if that were the case they could have issued a software fix. Either way it doesn’t make us very happy, and certainly sounds like something Apple needs to fix. There should be a way to re-synchronize the native components. As long as the device requires a PIN on boot, then the device would be just as secure as it was before the part swap.
'''How do I avoid Error 53?'''
When you replace your display, use the original touch ID sensor, button, and cable. If you must replace a home button or torn cable, do not upgrade your phone OS.
'''What do you do now?'''
If you encounter Error 53 and can reinstall your original home button and original home button cable, do so. If you don’t have the original parts, and haven’t updated your phone yet, don’t. If your home button is faulty, don’t replace it, use the on-screen accessibility button, or risk bricking your phone. If you need to replace your display, be sure to transfer your button '''and''' cable to the new screen.