Xiaomi’s smartphones have long proven to be a great value for money, offering users modern data protection techniques. The Redmi Note 7, which has become a real hit, features a physical fingerprint scanner located on the back of the case. This biometric technology not only provides quick access to the system, but also allows you to use your finger to log into banking applications and confirm purchases.
The initial setup process often occurs when you first turn on your phone, but many users miss this step or face the need to add a new fingerprint later. Proper sensor calibration is critical, since it is the quality of the skin pattern reading that determines the speed and reliability of unlocking the gadget in everyday use.
In this guide, we will analyze in detail all the stages of registration of biometric data, consider the nuances of working with several fingers and answer questions that arise from MIUI owners. Proper execution of the instructions will allow you to forget about entering passwords and graphic keys, making interaction with your smartphone as comfortable and safe as possible.
Scanner location and preparation for setting up
The first step before the configuration is started is to clearly understand where the reader is. Unlike the flagship models with subscreen sensors, the Redmi Note 7 uses a classic capacitive scanner built into the brand logo on the back cover, which is considered ergonomic because the finger naturally falls on the device when it is held.
Before you go to software settings, it is recommended to wipe the back panel and the finger with a soft, dry cloth. Fat marks, moisture or contamination can significantly reduce the accuracy of the reading, which will lead to errors when unlocking. Clean sensor surface is a basic condition for the correct operation of the safety module.
It’s also worth making sure that there are no protective films on the smartphone screen that cover the notification area if you plan to use the dual tap unlock feature, although the main method of data entry in this model is to physically touch the back. Make sure that the battery is at least 20% charged so that the device does not turn off while storing important security data.
⚠️ Note: If a thick protective pad or bumper with high sides is installed on the back of the smartphone, the finger may not reach the sensor. In such cases, you may need to re-register the fingerprint based on the thickness of the case or remove the accessory at the time of setting up.
Step-by-step: Adding the first print
To start the process, you need to go to the main settings menu of the operating system. Find an icon with the image of the gear on the desktop or in the notification curtain. In the list of options that opens, you are interested in a section that can be called “Passwords and Security” in the MIUI shell or simply “Fingerprints” if it is placed in a separate menu depending on the firmware version.
After logging into the security menu, the system will ask you to confirm your administrator rights. PIN-A code, pattern lock or screen unlock password is a mandatory security measure to prevent unauthorized users from changing biometrics.
Click on "Add fingerprint." The screen changes, and you get a palm animation with a progress bar. Put the finger you want to register on the back scanner. Don't press your finger too hard, with a light enough but confident touch. After each touch, put your finger away and put it back on, slightly changing the angle of inclination.
☑️ Registration checklist
The process of filling in the progress scale requires attention. The system does not read a static image, but creates a dynamic model, so it is important to scan different parts of the finger pad: center, edges, upper and lower parts. If you put your finger on only one side, in the future unlocking may not work when you change the grip of the device.
Advanced settings and profile management
The MIUI shell allows you to store up to five different fingerprints in the device’s memory, which allows you to add profiles for the thumb and index fingers of both hands, which is especially convenient when using the smartphone with one hand or in horizontal mode. To add the second and subsequent fingerprints, repeat the procedure described above by selecting the appropriate free slot in the menu.
Each registered fingerprint can be given a name, such as "Left Big" or "Right Index," which helps you navigate the list, especially if you share the device with family members, although from a security perspective, any registered user has access to the data.
In the same menu, additional biometrics-related features are available: You can activate the unlocking of the device by simply touching the switched-off screen, bypassing the power button, and often a “Print as a button” feature is available, allowing swipes to trigger notification curtains or switch tracks, turning the sensor into a full-fledged navigation element.
- 🖐️ Adding alternatives: Always register the fingers of both hands, as in a situation where one is busy (for example, you carry packets), unlocking the second hand will take a second.
- 🔄 Data overwriting: If the scanner starts to work worse, don't delete the old fingerprint right away.Try adding the same finger as a new profile, often this updates the sensor database.
- 🔒 Application Security: Use the saved fingerprint to block access to the gallery, notes or instant messengers through the built-in "App Protection" feature».
⚠️ Note: Biometric data is stored in a secure partition of the processor memory and is not transferred to the company’s servers. However, if you are selling a device, be sure to perform a full reset, as simply removing a profile from the menu may not be enough to guarantee the destruction of encryption keys in some scenarios.
Use of fingerprint for payments and authorization
One of the main features of the scanner in modern smartphones is transaction confirmation. In Redmi Note 7, this technology is integrated with Google Pay (now Google Wallet) and various banking applications. To work this feature, a point must be activated in the fingerprint settings that allows the use of biometrics for payments.
When you first try to pay in a store or log in to a banking application, the system will redirect you to the security settings to confirm the binding, and then when you make a purchase, you will need to apply your finger to the back panel, which is much faster and safer than typing. PIN-map-code.
It is important to understand the difference between security levels. To unlock the screen, the system can use a simplified comparison algorithm, allowing for a small error for the sake of speed. Financial transactions require a more strict matching pattern, so in stressful situations or with shaking hands, payment may not pass the first time, requiring repeated touch.
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If the banking application stopped recognizing the fingerprint after the update, try to remove the old fingerprint in the phone settings and re-add it, and then re-assign it in the banking application itself.
Table problems and methods of their solution
Despite the reliability of the technology, users may face various difficulties in operating the scanner, and the following table systematizes the most common problems and how to fix them, which will help quickly diagnose a malfunction.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| The scanner doesn't respond to touch. | Sensor contamination or software failure | Wipe the camera, reboot the device |
| Low unlock speed | Poor quality primary recording | Remove and re-add the print |
| Mistakes in wet hands | Physical properties of capacitive sensors | Wipe your hands, use an alternate finger |
| Self-activation | Accidental touches in your pocket | Disable the function "Unlock in your pocket" |
Special attention should be paid to the situation when the scanner stops working after a device falls or moisture gets in. In the Redmi Note 7, the scanner plume is short enough that if a strong impact, the contact may go away. If software methods, such as resetting or safe mode, do not help, hardware malfunction is likely.
Also worth mentioning is the effect of temperature: At extremely low temperatures, the finger skin becomes less conductive, which can make reading difficult.