Modern smartphones store huge amounts of confidential information, so reliable data protection becomes the number one priority for each owner. Xiaomi Redmi 9, being a popular budget device, is equipped with a built-in fingerprint scanner that allows you to instantly unlock the screen and log in to applications. Competent setting of this biometric module not only speeds up access to the system, but also significantly increases the level of personal security.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of activation and calibration of the sensor, as well as the nuances of fingerprinting in the shell of MIUI. You will learn how to add several fingerprints for maximum efficiency, how to use the scanner for payment and what to do if the sensor has ceased to respond to touch. Proper initial registration of fingers is the foundation of stable operation of the entire system of protection of your gadget.
Before you start setting up, make sure the sensor surface and your fingers are clean and dry.Any dirt, fat or moisture can significantly reduce read accuracy and lead to false denials of access.Ambient optimum temperature to adjust also plays a role, as cold fingers can be worse read by capacitive scanners.
Preparation for setting up biometric protection
The first step before fingerprinting is activated is to set a strong digital password, PIN-code or pattern lock. Android system and shell MIUI They require a backup unlock method in case the scanner can't read the fingerprint or the module fails.
It's recommended that you choose a password that you can remember easily, but it's hard for outsiders to pick up. It's your emergency key to your phone, so you can't neglect setting it up. Once you create the access code, the system automatically redirects you to the security settings menu.
⚠️ Never use simple combinations like “1234” or “0000” as a backup password, as this negates all the security provided by the fingerprint scanner.
It's also worth checking if the protective glass or case interferes with the normal operation of the sensor. In the Redmi 9 model, the scanner is located on the back, and some thick cases can overlap the active reading zone. If you've just pasted a new glass, make sure it has a special cutout or is marked as compatible with fingerprint scanners.
☑️ Preparation for setup
Step-by-step instructions for registration of a fingerprint
The process of adding a new fingerprint to Xiaomi Redmi 9 is as simple as possible and takes only a few minutes. To start, open the Settings menu and find the Passwords and Security section. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be simply called "Security" or located in the "Extended Settings" subsection.
From the menu that opens, select Unlock by fingerprint. The system will ask you to enter your previously set password to confirm the identity of the device owner. After successful authorization, click Add fingerprint to start the setup wizard.
Put the finger you want to register on the back of the scanner, but don't press it too hard. The screen will show the progress bar, which will fill up as you read the different sections of the papillary pattern, and you need to constantly change the angle of the finger so that the system counts the edges and the center.
- 👆 Place your finger fully so that the sensor can read the entire contact area, not just the center.
- 🔄 Turn your finger at different angles, as if you are trying to unlock your phone in an uncomfortable position.
- 🖐️ To improve accuracy, you can register the same finger twice under different names (for example, "Finger 1" and "Finger 1 copy").
Once you've finished reading, the system will suggest you name the new fingerprint, which is especially useful if you're registering different people's fingers or if you want to add a second finger for ease of use with your left and right hand, and when you're done, press Ready, and the phone will unlock with a single touch.
What to do if the progress bar is not filled?
Advanced Settings and Scanner Functions
Once registered successfully, Xiaomi offers a number of additional features that make it easier to use the scanner. In the fingerprint management menu, you can activate unlocking the device immediately after touching, bypassing the swipe or confirmation button, which greatly speeds up access to content.
It also has a fingerprint feature for app authorization and payment, and services like Google Pay (now Google Wallet), Mi Pay, and banking apps and instant messengers like Telegram and WhatsApp support biometric verification, eliminating the need to enter long passwords every time you log in to financial programs.
An important option is the ability to add up to five different fingerprints, which allows you to configure access for trusted individuals or simply use different fingers in different situations (for example, when the phone is lying on the table and it is easier to touch with your index finger rather than your thumb).
| Function | Description | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|
| Touch unlocking | Instant entry without swipe | Fingerprint settings |
| Payment and admission | Authorization in annexes | Passwords and security |
| Hiding contents | Hiding notifications before unlocking | Notifications on the lock screen |
| Deletion of data | Resetting all prints | The fingerprint control menu |
Using a fingerprint for payments and applications
Integrating biometrics into payment systems is one of the most useful aspects of modern smartphones. In Redmi 9, this feature works consistently with most banking applications. To set up, you need to go to the settings of a particular bank or payment system and choose the method of authorization "Fingerprint" or "Biometrics".
When you first attempt to pay through NFC It is important to understand that this function must be active screen of the phone, and the device itself must not be restarted (after a full restart, you need to enter the device). PIN-This is a standard security measure for Android.
Some apps allow you to use the fingerprint not only to log in, but also to confirm transactions within the program, for example, in messengers, you can hide the content of specific chats, opening them only after scanning your finger, which creates an additional level of privacy for correspondence.
⚠️ Note: When removing all fingerprints from the phone settings, the binding in banking applications may get lost, and you will need to re-authorize by password or through the phone. SMS.
If the application doesn’t see the scanner, check the permissions in the Settings menu → Applications → Application configuration. Make sure the banking software has access to biometric data, although this is usually regulated at the operating system level and does not require manual intervention.
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For maximum security of financial transactions, regularly update banking applications and do not install modified versions of the software from unknown sources.
Solving problems with the fingerprint sensor
Despite the reliability of the Redmi 9 hardware, users may experience situations where the scanner is not working properly, the most common problem is slow reaction or necessary touches, often due to a software security failure or sensor contamination.
If the fingerprint is no longer readable at all, try to delete all the stored data and register the finger again, paying special attention to the edges of the finger. Sometimes it helps to restart the device, which cleans the temporary files of the system and restarts the scanner drivers.
In cases where the scanner works over and over again, you can try to increase the reading area by registering the same finger twice, call them, for example, "Finger A" and "Finger A-2," which doubles the database for comparison and increases the chance of successful unlocking.
- 🧼 Carefully wipe the back panel and scanner with a microfiber, removing fat and sweat.
- 🔄 Re-register the problem print by changing the angle of inclination more aggressively.
- 📱 Check for system updates in the About Phone menu → Version. MIUI.
If nothing works, it may be the hardware part that is the problem, and falling, moisture or manufacturing defects can cause the module to fail, which would require a diagnosis at the service center, but before that, you should try resetting the phone to the factory settings (don’t forget to make a backup).
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Re-registration of the fingerprint with a change in the angle of inclination solves 90% of software problems with recognition.