How to take a fingerprint to unlock Xiomi’s phone

Xiaomi’s current smartphones, including the popular Redmi and POCO lineups, offer many ways to protect users’ personal data. Biometric identification has become the standard, allowing instant access to a device with a single touch. However, there are situations where you need to delete previously stored biometric data or temporarily disable this feature, which may be necessary when selling a gadget, transferring it to another person or simply for reasons of increased security.

The procedure for removing a fingerprint on the MIUI or HyperOS shell is simple enough, but requires careful navigation through the settings menu. It is important to understand that deleting the biometric key does not erase other data such as photos or contacts, but makes it impossible to unlock this particular finger. In this article, we will discuss in detail the step-by-step algorithm of actions, consider possible sensor problems and answer frequently asked questions related to biometrics on Chinese devices.

Before you start making security changes, make sure you remember your digital password, pattern lock, or security key. PIN-This is the data that will be the main way to log in once you decide to take your fingerprint, and without knowing an alternative authorization method, you risk losing access to your own device, which will require more complex recovery procedures.

Why it may be necessary to remove biometrics

The main reason users decide to delete their fingerprint is to transfer the smartphone to another person, and even if you give your phone to a close relative for temporary use, it is not safe to leave your biometrics in the device's memory. The new owner could theoretically access your banking applications or personal correspondence if they are authorized and unlocked by biometrics.

Another common situation is low reading accuracy: If the scanner is often mistaken or slow, it makes sense to remove the old pattern and write the fingerprint again. Sometimes the system saves a poor sample, which leads to constant errors when unlocking, in which case deleting the old file and creating a new one often solves the problem.

Also, removal may be required in cases where the finger has been damaged (scratching, burn, cut) and the scanner has ceased to recognize the pattern of the skin. Until the injury heals, the use of biometrics will be impossible, and it is better to temporarily disable this option so as not to block the device multiple failed attempts.

⚠️ Note: Removing your fingerprint from your phone’s memory is an irreversible action for your current session.You can’t restore the deleted biometric template, you’ll have to re-write it from scratch if you need it in the future.

And don't forget the situations where the user just wants to improve privacy, because biometrics is convenient, but a digital password that consists of complex characters is considered more secure from a cryptographic perspective, although less convenient for everyday use, and some users prefer to keep the biometrics off all the time, activating it only when necessary.

Step-by-step instructions for removing the fingerprint

The process of deleting biometric data on Xiaomi smartphones is unified for most models, regardless of the version of the operating system. First, you need to unlock the device screen using the current fingerprint or an alternative login method, for example, PIN-Once you hit the desktop, look for the Settings app icon, which usually looks like a gear.

In the settings menu that opens, you should scroll down to the security section. Depending on the firmware version, this item may be called Passwords and Security or simply Security. Inside this section, you should find a biometrics-related subsection, which is most commonly called Fingerprint Unlock, and by clicking on it, the system will request a password-entry identity verification.

Once you have successfully logged in, you'll see a list of all your registered fingerprints, usually numbered (Finger 1, Finger 2, etc.) or have names if you've renamed them. Next to each saved fingerprint will be a basket icon or deletion button. Click on the appropriate element to initiate the erasure process.

The system can request a final confirmation of the action, warning that it will not be possible to unlock with this finger. Accept the action and the template will be instantly removed from the protected area of the memory of the processor. If you want to remove all fingerprints, the procedure will have to be repeated for each saved finger separately.

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Removing one fingerprint does not affect other stored biometric keys, they remain active and operational.

Setting up the scanner after resetting the data

If your goal was not just to delete, but to improve recognition, then after cleaning the list, it is recommended to immediately reconfigure. Quality fingerprint recording is the key to fast and error-free operation of the scanner in the future.

When you scan, follow the instructions on the screen that will appear as animations, put your finger on the sensor in different areas, changing the angle of inclination a little bit, which will allow the system to create a more complete and accurate digital cast of your finger, and pay special attention to the edges of the pad, as these are often the ones that cause problems when unlocking.

There is a useful feature that allows you to add the same finger twice under different names, such as "Finger 1" and "Finger 1 (copy)". This increases the likelihood of successful unlocking, since the system will compare the attached finger with two different patterns.

Once the procedure is complete, make sure to check the scanner, lock the screen and try to unlock the device several times in a row. If the number of failed attempts is minimal, the setup can be considered successful, otherwise it is worth rubbing the sensor and finger with a soft cloth to eliminate the effects of fat or moisture.

Alternative ways to unlock the screen

Once you decide to take your fingerprint, the main way to log in is a digital code or a pattern lock, but modern Xiaomi smartphones offer other identification options that may be even more convenient than finger biometrics. One of these methods is to unlock the face (Face). ID).

The facial recognition feature uses a front-facing camera and artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze the wearer's facial features, and while it's considered less secure than ultrasonic or optical fingerprint scanners, it provides high access speeds, and you can activate it in the same security settings section where you removed the prints.

Also worth considering is the use of a smart lock, which allows you to keep your phone unlocked in certain conditions, such as when it is in your pocket, connected to a trusted Bluetooth device (watches, headphones) or located in the geographical location of the “Home”.

• 🔓 pattern lock – Connecting dots in a particular order, convenient for those who are better at remembering visual images than numbers.
• 🔢 PIN-code – short sequence of numbers, balance between security and rate of input.
• 🔑 Password is the most reliable protection, requiring the input of letters, numbers and special characters, but less convenient in daily use.
• 👁️ Face unlock – quick, no-touch access, working even with gloves but dependent on lighting.

The choice of alternative method depends on your personal preferences and the level of security required. Banking applications often require a password or fingerprint, so you will not be able to completely abandon the digital code.

Typical problems and their solution

Users often experience a situation where the fingerprint deletion button is inactive (gray) or the system issues an error when trying to delete, most often due to the fact that the device has enabled the Find Device function or activated the theft protection mode, for security reasons, the system requires that these functions be disabled or the Mi Account password is confirmed.

Another problem may be a software glitch where the biometrics menu freezes or doesn't display saved fingers, in which case a simple smartphone reboot helps, if the problem persists, clear the Security app cache or reset all apps through the Restore menu.

If none of the software methods work and the phone continues to behave incorrectly in the security section, the scanner module itself may be damaged, and in such cases, diagnostics are required at the service center, especially if the device is warranted.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble the case of the smartphone yourself to clean the scanner plume.This will lead to loss of warranty and may damage the device's moisture protection, if it is provided by the design.

Influence of protective glasses and covers

Accessories can have a significant impact on the fingerprint scanner. If you use a scanner built into the on button (side), thick or incorrectly pasted security windows rarely affect its performance, as it is independent of the state of the screen. However, for the underscreen scanners that are used in many flagship Xiaomi models, the quality of the glass is critical.

Cheap security glasses can have poor light transmission or air gaps, which confuses the optical scanner, and as a result, the phone no longer recognizes the fingerprint, and the user is forced to remove it and write it back, often through glass.

It is recommended to use special glasses marked "Compatible with fingerprint sensor" or "For underscreen scanner." They have a special adhesive layer and structure that allows light from the sensor. If you wear a case with high sides, make sure that it does not block access to the side scanner, otherwise you will have to constantly remove the case to unlock.

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When recording a fingerprint through a protective glass, apply your finger with a little more force than usual to ensure tight contact and clear reading of the pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)