How to put a fingerprint on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: full instructions with tips and life hacks

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones due to its excellent price-to-feature ratio, including a fingerprint scanner that allows you to unlock the device in a split second. However, many users face difficulties when first setting up the sensor: the system does not recognize a finger, there are errors like “failed to add a fingerprint” or the scanner works every time. In this article, we will analyze all the steps of adding a fingerprint – from preparing the sensor to solving typical problems, and also reveal hidden MIUI settings that will help improve the accuracy of recognition.

It's important to understand that the process can vary depending on the firmware version (MIUI 10 vs MIUI 14) and the state of the sensor itself. For example, after a phone falls or moisture gets under the glass, the scanner can start to crash. We've taken all the nuances into account and prepared a universal guide that will be suitable even for inexperienced users. And if you've tried to add a fingerprint but you haven't succeeded, at the end of this article there's a section on diagnosing malfunctions and how to fix them.

Preparing your smartphone before adding a fingerprint

Before you start scanning your finger, you have to follow a few steps, and skipping any of them can lead to errors like "Prince scanner is not responding" or "Prime quality is too low." Let's start by checking the hardware conditions:

• 🧼 Clean the scanner and finger. Use a lilac-free napkin dipped in alcohol (at least 70%) to remove fat and sweat from the sensor.
• 🔋 Battery charge. Make sure it's above 20%. At low charge, the system can interrupt the setup process.
• 📱 Software Update. Check the relevance of firmware in Settings → The phone. → Update the system. MIUI 12+ Recognition algorithms work more accurately.
• 🔒 Remove old prints (if any). Go to Settings → Passwords and security → Fingerprints and clear the list.

Pay special attention to the condition of the protective glass. If it is cracked or loosely attached to the scanner, the sensor will not work properly, in which case we recommend removing the glass before setting up or replacing it with a new one with a notch under the sensor, and also check if there are wounds, calluses or deep cracks on the finger - they distort the pattern of the fingerprint.

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If you have dry skin, slightly moisten your finger with water before the scan, which will improve contact with the sensor, but do not overdo it - the drops of moisture can cause an error.

Step-by-step: how to add a fingerprint

Now, the basic process is that the instructions are for all versions of MIUI, but they may have slightly different menu names, and if you have a Redmi Note 7 Pro or other modification, the algorithm is the same.

1. Open Settings and go to Passwords and Security.
2. Select fingerprints. The system will request input. PIN-code or pattern lock (if not installed, create it first!).
3. Click Add Fingerprint and follow the hints on the screen. The scanner will flash blue.
4. Carefully apply your finger to the sensor, slightly pressing. Don't move the phone while scanning!
5. Raise your finger when a prompt appears on the screen (usually after 30-50% progress) and then apply it again at a different angle.
6. Repeat step 5 until the indicator is 100% full, and the system will prompt you to name the fingerprint (for example, "Indicator right").
7. Press Ready and check the scanner by locking and unlocking the screen.

Is unlocking right with the first touch?|

Does the sensor recognize the finger from different angles?|

There is no delay between touching and unlocking.|

Does the fingerprint persist after the phone restart?-->

If the error “Can not add a fingerprint” appears during the scanning stage, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 👆 Try another finger (for example, a large one instead of an index one).
• 📱 Remove the cover - it can interfere with the tight fit of the finger.

Optimization of the scanner: hidden settings MIUI

Few people know, but MIUI has hidden parameters that can make sensors more sensitive or change their behavior, like turning off vibration when you unlock it or increasing recognition speed.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to the main settings menu, open Additional → for developers.
3. Find the USB Debugging option and turn it on (this is needed to access hidden commands).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell settings put global fingerprint_success_vibrate 0 This command will turn off the vibration on a successful scan. To bring it back, replace it. 0 on 1.

Another useful trick is to increase the number of fingerprints saved in one finger, and by default, the system remembers 1-2 finger position options, but you can add up to 5 to improve recognition from different angles.

1. Add the same finger several times, slightly changing its position with each scan.
2. Name the prints in different ways (for example, "Indicative right - 1", "Indicative right - 2").

Typical errors and their solutions

Even when you set it up properly, the scanner can be unstable, and we've put together the most common problems and the ways to fix them in one table:

The “hardware not supported” error is particularly noteworthy, and it occurs when:

• 🔧 The scanner plume is damaged (often after a phone falls or breaks down).
• 📱 Installed custom firmware without sensor support.
• 🔄 Reset persist-partition (for example, after a failed update).

The first two cases require repairs at the service center, and if the firmware is the problem, try returning the official MIUI via Fastboot.

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How to improve fingerprint recognition: life hacks

If the scanner works, but sometimes “can’t see” the finger the first time, use these tips:

1. Train the sensor. Add the same finger 2-3 times at different angles (for example, slightly bent, straight, side).
2. Use smart unlock. In Settings → Lock screen, enable Unlock when lifting, the phone will activate the scanner when you hold it in your hand.
3. Calibrate the sensor. Type ##6484## into the engineering menu, select Fingerprint Test, and follow the instructions.
4. Set the unlock priority. In Settings → Passwords and Security → Fingerprints, select whether the scanner should work when the screen is off.

Another useful trick is to create a backup fingerprint, so add a loved one's finger (like your spouse) in case your thumb gets busy or damaged.

1. Ask the person to clean the finger and apply it to the scanner.
2. Save the print under the name "Reserve".
3. In the security settings, tick Allow unlock for this fingerprint.

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The more options you add to one finger (from different angles), the higher the chance that the phone will unlock with the first touch, the optimal number is 3-4 options.

What to do if the scanner stops working after the update

MIUI updates sometimes reset security settings or conflict with sensor drivers. If the scanner is no longer able to recognize fingerprints after the upgrade, follow these steps:

1. Remove all saved fingerprints in Settings → Passwords and security.
2. Restart your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → long tap on “Switch off” → “Safe Mode”).
3. Try adding the print again. If you can, there's a problem in a third-party app.
4. If it doesn’t help, reset your settings through Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset → Reset (select Settings Only to avoid losing data).

In rare cases, the update can damage the system files that are responsible for the operation of the sensor, then only flashing through Fastboot will help.

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi Note 7 (codename lavender) from the Xiaomi website.
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool on your PC.
3. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down) and flash the device.

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Before flashing backup, back up your data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will save your photos, contacts and messages.

Alternative ways to unlock if the scanner breaks

If the fingerprint sensor is finally out of order, don’t worry – the Redmi Note 7 has a few spare unlock options:

• 🔐 PIN-code or pattern lock. Be sure to set it up in advance in Settings → Passwords and security.
• 👤 Facial recognition works even in the dark (using infrared illumination). → Lock screen → Facial recognition.
• 📍 Smart Lock: Automatically unlock in trusted locations (home, work) or when connected to a trusted device (e.g., smartwatch). → Passwords and security → Smart Lock.

If you forgot. PIN-The code and the scanner is down, so you're gonna have to do a hard reset through Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Change Volume Buttons).
4. Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

⚠️ Warning: Hard reset will remove all data from your phone, including photos, messages and apps. If you have Mi Account enabled and synced, some of the data can be restored after you log in to your account.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions