Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer many ways to protect personal data, but biometrics remains the fastest and most convenient option. Fingerprint scanner setup takes only a couple of minutes, after which the device is unlocked instantly. Users often underestimate the importance of correct sensor calibration, which subsequently leads to false denials of access.
In this article, we will discuss how to add a fingerprint to Xiaomi, what settings are hidden in the security menu, and how to improve recognition accuracy. Biometric data is stored in a secure memory partition and not transferred to the company's servers, which guarantees confidentiality. However, the quality of the read depends on how competently you conduct the initial recording of the sample.
The interface of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS may vary slightly depending on the version of Android, but the logic of the security system is the same for all models. We will consider universal steps suitable for both budget Redmi and flagship Mi. Before starting the procedure, make sure that your fingers are clean and dry, and the screen of the smartphone is wiped from fat.
Preparation for biometrics setup
Before you go directly to the scan, you need to do a series of preparatory steps, which will ensure that the sensor will work smoothly in the future, first of all, check whether the scanner itself is contaminated, whether it is embedded in the on button or located under the screen. Dust and skin fat can significantly distort the reading pattern.
It's also important to understand that the system allows you to save up to five fingerprints, which allows you to add both hands or even trusted people, although the latter option reduces the overall level of security. If you plan to use smart lockers or applications with access to biometrics, it's better to record the finger that is most convenient to use in everyday life.
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Rub the scanner area with a microfiber before each adjustment attempt if you have oily skin – this will improve the reading quality of the edges of the picture.
Make sure that the phone is digitally installed. PIN-Android requires a backup unlock method in case the scanner can’t recognize the finger (for example, after a device reboot or five failed attempts.
Step-by-step instructions for adding a fingerprint
The new user registration process starts with a login to the main settings menu, find the Passwords and Security section, or simply Security depending on the firmware version, and that's where all the security tools for your device are concentrated.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 👉 Click on Unlock by fingerprint or fingerprint.
- 👉 Enter your current screen unlock password to confirm access rights.
- 👉 Tap the Add fingerprint button and put your finger on the sensor.
- 👉 Follow vibrational signals or audible cues by changing the angle of your finger.
So as you scan, the system will gradually fill in the progress scale, and you don't have to rush, because if you pull your finger off too quickly, you'll have to start over again, and the algorithm reads not only the center of the pad, but the edges of the pad, so it's important to walk across the surface of the sensor.
☑️ Setup checklist
Once the procedure is completed successfully, the system will suggest giving a name to a new fingerprint, such as "Right Big," which is especially useful if you add a few fingers to avoid confusion as to which one is recorded.
Features of scanners under the screen and in the button
The recognition technologies in Xiaomi smartphones fall into two main types: capacitive (physical button) and optical/ultrasonic (under screen). Physical scanners built into the side-face button are faster and require simple finger-to-fingering. They are less demanding on hand cleanliness.
Optical scanners under the screen, by contrast, require tighter pressing. Often users complain that the phone doesn't see the finger the first time, because light takes time to reflect off the skin's relief, and it's useful to enable enhanced senses or "enhanced mode" if this option is available in the settings.
⚠️ Note: When using a protective glass thicker than 0.3 mm, the optical scanner under the screen may not work correctly, in which case it is recommended to reconfigure the print already with the protection glued on.
The underscreen scanner also offers unlock when the screen is off, uses a little more power but doesn’t wait for the display to turn on. On older models with physical buttons (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro), the scanner is located on the back and works on the principle of reading static electricity.
Why is the scanner under the screen slower?
Advanced settings and calibration
The fingerprint management menu contains additional features that not everyone knows about, such as setting up a long-press action on the scanner, which can be starting the camera, turning on the flashlight or opening the Mi Home smart home control menu.
If your phone doesn't recognize your finger, don't rush to remove the old one. Try adding a second fingerprint of the same finger under a different name, which will increase the database of drawings and increase the likelihood of successful unlocking in different lighting and hand positions.
There is also a hidden engineering mode for testing the sensor, but it is not recommended for ordinary users. Instead, use a standard calibration: remove the old print and write it back, trying to capture the maximum possible area of the pad, including the very edges.
| Parameter | Physical scanner | Underscreen scanner |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of operation | High (instant) | Average (delay 0.3-0.5 seconds) |
| Working with wet hands | Low. | Critically low |
| Battery consumption | Minimum | Moderate (zone lighting) |
| Requirements for protective glass | No. | Thin (< 0.3 mm) |
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Adding the same finger twice under different names is the best way to improve unlock reliability on older Xiaomi models.
Use of a fingerprint for payment and applications
Once you have successfully configured the biometrics, you can use it not only to log in, but in the security settings, look for Fingerprint Access (or Application Unlock), and you can select the programs that you can access to that you can access.
This is a very useful function for:
- 🔒 Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.).
- 📸 Galleries with personal photos.
- 💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) to hide correspondence.
- 📝 Notes with confidential information.
Your fingerprint also activates Google Pay (or Mi Pay in some regions) and you don't have to enter the in-store payment. PIN-The card code is that you just have to put your finger on the sensor when you bring your phone to the terminal, which speeds up the purchase process and protects the funds even when the screen is unlocked.
Importantly, some applications may require the fingerprint function to be activated again within their own settings after adding a new biometric profile to the system. If the program stops flicking, check the security settings inside the application itself.
Solving recognition problems
The most common problem is that the phone stops recognizing the finger after the system update, which is due to a change in the image processing algorithms in the new version of MIUI, in which case the only right solution is to remove all the old prints and write them back.
If the scanner is slow or error-free, check for the following factors:
- 🧼 Having dirt, cream or water on your fingers and sensor.
- 📱 The presence of a thick protective glass or cover covering the edges of the sensor.
- 🌡️ Overheating of the device (with strong heating, the sensitivity of the sensors may fall).
⚠️ Note: If the scanner started to work randomly immediately after the phone fell or moisture entered the case, the connection plume may have been damaged.
Sometimes it helps to reset network settings and system settings, but not completely reset to factory. Try to reboot the device to safe mode to eliminate the influence of third-party applications that block the sensor. If the fingerprint works perfectly in safe mode, then the problem is in one of the applications you install.