How to set up a fingerprint on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: instructions with photos and tips

Why you need a fingerprint scanner on Redmi 9T

Fingerprint scanner on Xiaomi Redmi 9T — It's not just a convenient way to unlock, but it's also an extra layer of protection for your data. PIN-Biometric authentication eliminates the possibility of password selection by third parties, especially for users who store confidential information on their phone: banking applications, correspondence or working documents.

However, many Redmi 9T owners have difficulty setting up the sensor first, most often due to a wrong position of the finger, a contaminated sensor or outdated firmware. In this article, we will discuss not only the standard procedure for adding a fingerprint, but also nuances that will help avoid errors such as “failed to add a fingerprint” or “scanner unresponsive”.

Note that the Redmi 9T uses a side scanner built into the power button, which distinguishes it from Xiaomi’s flagship devices with a subscreen sensor, so instructions for other smartphones of the brand may not be suitable. If you just purchased a phone or performed a reset, the fingerprint will take no more than 5 minutes to set up — provided you follow our recommendations.

Prepare the phone before adding a fingerprint

Before you start scanning your finger, make sure your Redmi 9T is ready for the procedure, and in many cases, errors are due to trivial omissions: a dead battery, a dirty sensor, or a lack of a master password.

• 🔋 Battery level at least 20%. With low charge, the system can interrupt the setup process.
• 🧼 Clean scanner and finger. Wipe the power button with a dry wipe and your finger with a wet (but not wet!) Fat or wet fingers are worse.
• 🔒 Presence of the primary password (PIN, A pattern lock or a digital code, without which you can't add a fingerprint, it's a security requirement. MIUI.
• 📱 Updated firmware. Old versions. MIUI (below 12.0) there were bugs with the scanner. Update the system in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

If you have previously installed unofficial firmware or modified versions of MIUI, the fingerprint scanner may not work properly, in which case we recommend returning the stock firmware via Fastboot or contacting the service center. Also note that up to 5 fingerprints can be added to the Redmi 9T, which is enough for most users.

Step-by-step: how to add a fingerprint

Now, the manual is suitable for the Xiaomi Redmi 9T on any version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14) if the phone has not undergone deep modifications. Follow the steps carefully - skipping even one point can cause a failure.

1. Open security settings. Go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Fingerprint. If this is missing, your phone doesn't have a primary password (see previous section).
2. Enter the current password. The system will request PIN-code, pattern lock or digital password to verify identity.
3. Press "Add fingerprint." An animation will appear on the screen that tells you how to place your finger on the power button.
4. Put your finger on the scanner. Hold it flat, without shifting until the display is 100 percent full. Importantly, don't press the power button, just touch it.
5. Repeat the procedure for the other parts of your finger, and the system will suggest that you raise and re-attach your finger to lock the edges and the center, and this improves recognition.
6. Save the print. After a successful scan, assign a name (e.g., "Indicator Right") and press Ready.

If the error "I failed to recognize the fingerprint" appears during the scanning stage, try:

• 🔄 Change the angle of the finger (hold it perpendicular to the button).
• 🧴 Rub your finger with an alcohol napkin - sometimes sweat or cream interfere with reading.
• 🔄 Restart the phone and repeat the procedure.

Charge level > 20%

Scanner and finger clean.

The primary password has been set

Updated MIUI firmware

Finger dry and undamaged-->

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with the right setup, Redmi 9T users sometimes encounter scanner issues, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Special attention should be paid to cases where the scanner stops working after a phone drop or moisture hits, in which case the problem is likely hardware, and self-repair is not recommended. Contact Xiaomi's authorized service center, as the fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power button, and its replacement requires disassembling the device.

How to Remove or Rename Your Fingerprint

If you no longer need a fingerprint saved (for example, you added a finger temporarily or it is scanned poorly), it can be deleted or renamed.

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Fingerprint.
2. Enter the current password for confirmation.
3. Click on the print you want to change.
4. Choose Remove or Rename (pencil icon).
5. Confirm the action.

Note that once all fingerprints are removed, the biometric unlock function will be automatically disabled, and you can’t rename the fingerprint if it’s used for authorization in applications (e.g. banking services), in which case you can first turn it off in the settings of the particular application.

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If you plan to sell or transfer your phone to another person, be sure to delete all fingerprints, and even after resetting your settings, they can remain in the device’s memory until you completely flash it.

Additional settings: use of fingerprint for applications

In addition to unlocking the screen, a fingerprint on Redmi 9T can be used to log in to apps, which is convenient for banking services (Sberbank, Tinkoff), instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) or payment systems (Google Pay).

1. Open Settings → Passwords and Security → Fingerprint → Application settings.
2. Activate the switch in front of the desired application.
3. When first used, the application may request confirmation via PIN-code.

Not all apps support fingerprint authentication, it depends on their internal settings, VK Instagram and Instagram require a password in most cases, even if the scanner is enabled in the settings MIUI. It is also worth remembering that some banking applications may block access by fingerprint after several failed attempts (usually 5 times), requiring input. PIN-code.

If you notice that the fingerprint has stopped working in a particular application, check:

• 📱 Application settings (possibly the function is disabled there).
• 🔄 Application updates (sometimes after the update, security settings are lost).
• 🔒 Settings MIUI (underprint → Application settings).

Security: Can I cheat the fingerprint scanner on the Redmi 9T?

Many users are wondering how reliable the fingerprint scanner on the Xiaomi Redmi 9T is and whether it can be fooled with a photo or a cast, depending on the type of attack:

• 📸 A fingershot won't work. The sensor only recognizes three-dimensional terrain, not a flat image.
• 🖐️ A cast of silicone or plaster is theoretically possible, but requires precision equipment and access to your finger.
• 💻 Software hacking – if an attacker gains physical access to the phone, they can try to bypass the lock via Fastboot or EDL-However, it requires special knowledge and is not connected to the fingerprint scanner.

However, fingerprint scanners are not a panacea; they are convenient, but they don't provide 100% protection. For example, if you're forced to unlock your phone, you can't refuse (unlike the one you're forced to unlock). PIN-code that you can not name. Therefore, we recommend:

• 🔐 Use the print together with PIN-code (for example, to unlock the screen – print, and for banking applications — PIN).
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI Protection of biometric data is improved.
• 🚨 Turn off the scanner in public places if there is a risk of phone theft.

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The fingerprint scanner on Redmi 9T Reliable for everyday use, but does not replace complex PIN-Combine both methods for maximum security.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions