How to turn on your fingerprint: full security setting

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones feature advanced security systems, with fingerprint scanners at the forefront, which not only ensures a high level of security for personal data, but also speeds up access to the device. Users can unlock the gadget with a single touch without wasting time entering graphical keys or passwords. In addition, biometrics are often used to log into banking applications and confirm purchases in digital stores.

The process of activating this option in the shell of MIUI or HyperOS is as simple and understandable as possible, even for beginners. However, there are a number of nuances that must be considered for the correct operation of the sensor. For example, the reading quality can depend on the purity of the finger surface or the state of the screen. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to set up the scanner, add a few fingerprints, and what to do if the function stops working correctly.

Note that the location of the scanner depends on the specific model of your device. In budget and medium-sized models, the sensor is often built into the side-face button, whereas in flagships it can be hidden under the display. Regardless of the design type, software configuration is carried out through a single menu of system parameters. Below is a detailed instruction to help you activate and customize the biometrics.

Preparation of the device for setting up biometrics

Before you start setting up directly, make sure your device is charged and stable. You will need a lock screen to start working. The system will not allow you to activate the fingerprint scanner unless you have a basic password set, PIN-This is a security requirement, because biometrics cannot be the only way to protect your security.

Check the cleanliness of the scanning area. If you have a side sensor model, wipe the switch on with a soft cloth. In the case of a subscreen scanner, it is recommended that you wipe the display itself and make sure that it does not have protective films that can distort the signal if they are not designed to work with this technology. Dirt, fat or moisture can significantly reduce the speed and accuracy of recognition.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to set up the scanner if your finger is wet, sweaty or has cuts on it. In such cases, the system may not read the data correctly, which will lead to problems with unlocking in the future.

It is also important to update the software to the latest available version. Xiaomi developers regularly release patches that improve the performance of biometric drivers. Go to the Settings menu → About the phone and check for updates. The current version of the operating system guarantees compatibility with all security features.

Step-by-step instructions for activating the scanner

To enable the feature, you need to go to the main settings menu of your smartphone. Find a section that can be called Passwords and Security or simply Fingerprints, depending on the version of your firmware. In some versions of MIUI, this item is placed in a separate menu when you first set up the device, but most often it is located in the deep layers of the system.

Once you log in, select the option "Add fingerprint" and the system will ask you to confirm the action with the previously entered unlock password, which is a critical step, because this code will be used as a backup method of access. Without it, biometric activation is impossible.

Then you start scanning, you'll have to put your finger on the sensor multiple times, and the screen will show the progress bar, which fills up as you read different parts of the papillary pattern, and try to change the angle of your finger so that the system remembers it in different projections, and this will ensure that it works reliably even when you're not pressed fully.

• 👉 Place your finger in the center of the sensor for the primary reading.
• 👉 Gradually shift your finger, capturing the edge areas and tip.
• 👉 Change the angle of inclination to scan the side faces of the pad.
• 👉 Press with different strengths, but without undue pressure on the sensor.

Once the process is complete, the system will suggest naming a new fingerprint, such as Right Big or Left Index, which is especially useful if you plan to add family biometrics or use multiple fingers of a single user for different scenarios.

Advanced settings and access management

Once you have successfully added a fingerprint, you will have additional control options, you can add new fingers, delete old ones, or rename existing ones, and the maximum number of fingerprints saved is usually limited to five, allowing you to flexibly configure access.

One useful feature is that you can use the fingerprint for certain actions, you can allow unlocking your device, paying in Google Pay or Mi Pay, and logging into secure apps, and to do this, look for “Fingerprint Access” in the security menu and activate the desired switches in front of the corresponding applications.

Also available is the Advanced Unlock feature, which, if activated, will unlock as soon as it touches the screen, without the need to press the confirmation button, which makes the smartphone experience even faster and more convenient. However, it can slightly increase the risk of accidentally unlocking in your pocket, although Xiaomi algorithms are good at protecting against false positives.

⚠️ Warning: The advanced unlock function may not work with some types of high-thick protective glass.If you notice that the phone has stopped responding, try removing the protection or recalibrating the sensor.

Using a fingerprint for different applications

Modern smartphones allow you to use biometrics not only to log in, but also to protect sensitive information inside applications. In the security settings of Xiaomi, there is a special section called Application Protection, where you can select programs that will only open after fingerprint confirmation.

This is especially true for instant messengers, personal photo galleries, or bank customers. Even if someone gets access to an unlocked phone, they won’t be able to open the apps you choose without biometric confirmation. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Protection and turn on switches next to the desired programs to activate.

In addition, many third-party apps have their own biometric settings, such as Telegram, WhatsApp, or the banking app Tinkoff or Sberbank, where you can find the “Frame Sign-in” option, activating this feature within the app itself creates a double layer of protection, independent of the phone’s system settings.

• 🔒 Select the application in the protected list.
• 🔒 Set a separate password to protect applications (optional).
• 🔒 Activate the use of fingerprint in the settings of the application itself.
• 🔒 Check the work by trying to open the program.

It's important to understand that the application protection system in MIUI works even if the application itself doesn't have biometrics configured, and it's a versatile tool that adds an additional barrier to entry.

Adding alternative methods of unlocking

While fingerprinting is a convenient way to do it, there are times when it doesn’t work (like a finger in a glove with a yen), so it’s important to configure alternative methods. Xiaomi smartphones can use a scanner, facial recognition and traditional password at the same time.

The facial unlock feature in MIUI works fairly quickly, though it is inferior to the security of the finger biometrics, because it uses a conventional front camera. However, it is a great backup option. This option is located in the same menu "Passwords and Security" → "Face unlock".

Don’t forget about the digital or pattern lock. PIN-They are the primary method of authentication. After each device reboots, or if the phone has been out for more than 72 hours, the system will require you to enter a password, not a fingerprint.

Table of comparison of scanner types in Xiaomi

Understanding the type of scanner in your device helps you operate your smartphone properly. The table below shows the main differences between the technologies used in the different Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco lineups.

For owners of devices with a subscreen scanner, it is usually indicated by a small fingerprint icon when the screen wakes up, and getting into this area accurately ensures an instant reaction.

Problem Solving and Calibration

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the print stops reading or is intermittent, most often the problem lies in the contamination of the sensor or changes in the condition of the skin of the hands. The first step should always be a thorough cleaning of the surface of the sensor and hands.

If the brushing didn't work, try removing the saved fingerprint and writing it back again. When you re-write, pay special attention to the areas of the finger that the system had not previously seen, and you can add the same finger twice under different names (for example, "Finger 1" and "Finger 1 copy"), which will increase the scan area and improve recognition.

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If the scanner is slow, try selecting the “Speed Unlock” option in your fingerprint settings (if available in your version of MIUI), which changes the priority of speed over maximum match accuracy.

In rare cases, you may need to reset the sensor through the engineering menu, but this is recommended only for advanced users. Usually, a simple device restart or system update helps. If the problem is of a hardware nature (physical damage to the plume or sensor), you will need to contact the service center.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use chemical solvents to clean the sensor. Use only microfiber and, if necessary, a minimum amount of water or special means for screens.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Proper fingerprint settings on Xiaomi take no more than 2 minutes, but significantly improves the convenience and safety of using the smartphone in daily use.