Fingerprint settings on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: a complete guide with expert tips

Why you need biometrics on your smartphone and how it works on the Redmi Note 5

The fingerprint scanner on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is not just a fashionable gadget, but a full-fledged security tool. PIN-You can't see or pick up biometrics, even if an attacker gets access to your phone, he can't unlock it without your finger. One touch is enough to unlock the screen, confirm payments, or log into secure apps.

The Redmi Note 5's technical feature is that it's on the back of the camera, and it's not the most convenient option for front-facing sensors, but it's also reliable, because it's less likely to be hit in the pocket, and it's based on a capacitive principle, which is it reads skin microrelief by analyzing unique patterns, and it's important that it doesn't support wet or dirty fingers, because it's less sensitive than the 2023+ flagships.

Before you start setting up, check:

• 🔋 Battery level - not less than 20% (setting can take up to 5 minutes).
• 📱 Clean sensor: wipe it with a dry wipe (no alcohol!).
• 👆 Finger condition: dry, without cuts or calluses.

Preparing your phone: What to do before adding a fingerprint

Before you add a fingerprint, you have to meet two key conditions: set the main way to unlock (PIN, password or pattern lock) and update the firmware, without which the system simply will not allow the activation of biometrics.

If you don't already PIN-code:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen and password.
2. Select Add Fingerprint – the system will automatically prompt you to create a backup unlock method.
3. Create a password no shorter than 6 characters (numbers + letters) or a pattern lock of 4+ dots.

Now check out the MIUI version:

• The current version for Redmi Note 5 is MIUI 12.5+ (if below, update to Settings → System Update).

⚠️ Warning: If you reset your phone to the factory settings, all the fingerprints you saved will be deleted, and you can only restore them again by adding each finger to a new one.

Step-by-step: how to add a fingerprint

When you're done, you get to the main thing, and it's only going to take you 3-5 minutes to do it, if you follow the algorithm.

1. Step 1. Open Settings → Lock screen and password → Add a fingerprint.
2. Step 2. Enter the current PIN-proof-code.
3. Step 3. Put your finger on the scanner (don't press hard!) Wait for the vibration or the beep.
4. Step 4: Raise and lower your finger until the scale is 100% full, and the system will ask you to change the angle of touch, which is normal.
5. Step 5: Name the fingerprint (e.g., "Indicative Right") and save it.

Expert advice: add at least 2-3 fingerprints (e.g. index and thumb of the right hand) if one finger is occupied or damaged, and you can also save another person's fingerprint (e.g., a close relative), but be aware of the security risks.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the right setup, Redmi Note 5 users often face problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

⚠️ Note: If you use unofficial firmware (e.g. LineageOS), the fingerprint scanner may not work properly or at all. MIUI.

Additional settings: how to use the print more effectively

Few people know, but on the Redmi Note 5, you can attach your fingerprint to more than just unlocking the screen.

• 🔒 Application Blocking: C Settings → Annexes → Block applications select programs that will only open after scanning your finger.
• 💳 Payment via Mi Pay: Link a fingerprint in the Mi Pay app to confirm payments (works with bank cards that support tokenization).
• 📁 Hidden folders: In the file manager Mi File Explorer, you can hide folders and open them only by fingerprint.
• 🔄 Quick user switching: If there are multiple profiles on the phone, the fingerprint can be linked to a specific user.

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To speed up unlocking, add the same fingerprint twice at different angles, such as "Indicative right straight" and "Indicative right side" to increase the accuracy of the response.

Another useful feature is the fingerprint gestures, and some versions of MIUI can configure:

• Swipe down the scanner - opens the notification curtain.
• Swipe up - returns to the main screen.
• Double touch - triggers the camera.

To activate, go to Settings → Additional Features → Fingerprint Gestures.

Security: Myths and Real Risks

Many users fear that fingerprints can be "stolen" or faked, so let's look at the truth and the fiction.

Myth 1: “The fingerprint is stored in the Xiaomi cloud and can be stolen.” Reality: Biometrics data never leaves the phone. It’s stored in a Trusted Execution Environment, and even Xiaomi doesn’t have access to it. When you reset the settings, the fingerprints are permanently deleted.

Myth 2: “You can fool a scanner with a picture of a finger.” Reality: Capacity sensors (like the Redmi Note 5) read live tissue, not an image, and it’s almost impossible to fool them with a photo or cast (unlike optical scanners in some flagships).

Real risk: If an attacker gains physical access to your finger (e.g. while sleeping), they will be able to unlock the phone.

• Do not store critical data on your phone (such as bank passwords).
• Use the print together with PIN-code (two-factor authentication).
• Update MIUI regularly – new versions will close vulnerabilities.

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A fingerprint is a convenience, not an absolute protection. For maximum security, combine it with a fingerprint. PIN-code-and-encryption.

What to do if the scanner is broken

If the fingerprint sensor on the Redmi Note 5 stopped working at all (no touch response, no switching on), there are several outputs:

1. Software reset: Delete all fingerprints in the settings and reboot the phone. Sometimes this helps with software failures.
2. Contact cleanup: If the phone is falling, the sensor plume may have gone, take the back cover (carefully!) and check the connection.
3. The cost of a new sensor for the Redmi Note 5 is about 500-800 rubles. the Replacement is better to trust the service center.
4. Alternative unlocking methods: Set up Face Unlock (face) or Smart Lock (automatic unlock in trusted locations).

If you have decided to replace the scanner yourself, consider:

• Buy the original sensor (article: MDY-007-15S for Redmi Note 5).
• Use a plastic spatula to avoid damaging the plume.
• After replacement, calibration may be required at the service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions