Modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO offer users many ways to protect personal data, but biometrics remains the most convenient and fastest method. Installing a screen lock through a fingerprint not only speeds up access to the device, but also allows you to log in to banking applications and confirm purchases on Google Play. Device owners often ignore this functionality, relying on graphical keys that are significantly inferior in speed.
The process of tuning in the shell of MIUI or HyperOS is as simple as possible and takes only a couple of minutes, but requires care during the initial scan. Incorrect reading of the pattern of papillary lines can lead to frequent unlocking errors in the future, especially if the hands are wet or on the screen protective film. Proper calibration of the sensor is the key to stable operation of the security system of your gadget.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at each step of activating biometric protection, look at the finer points of the setting (sensitivity), and answer frequent questions, learn how to add alternate fingers for convenience, and what to do if the built-in scanner has stopped responding correctly to touch.
Device preparation and system requirements
Before you start directly activating biometrics, you need to make sure your device is ready to work with sensitive data. First of all, check if the smartphone has basic protection, as biometrics may not be the only way to authenticate in the Android system. PIN-a code, pattern lock, or complex password that will be used to unlock after the device is restarted.
Pay attention to the state of the scanner itself. If your device uses a sensor built-in (usually in flagship models), make sure that the display surface is clean. Fat spots or thick protective glass can significantly reduce read accuracy. For models with a side or rear scanner, it is important that the reading area is not physically damaged.
⚠️ Note: If you have previously installed third-party launchers or modified system files, the fingerprint function may not work properly or may be completely inaccessible due to security integrity breaches.
It's also worth checking the operating system version. Although the feature is basic, older versions of MIUI may have had bugs patched in more recent updates. Go to the settings menu and make sure your software is up to date.
Step-by-step activation of the fingerprint scanner
The process of enabling the feature is standardized for most Xiaomi devices, but the names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell. First, open the main settings menu, find the Passwords and Security section, and select Unlock by fingerprint. The system will prompt you to enter a previously installed password or graphical key to confirm your identity.
Once confirmed, you'll be asked to add a first print. Press Add a fingerprint and follow the instructions on the screen. You'll need to repeatedly put your finger on the scanner, slightly changing the angle of inclination. Don't move your finger abruptly after each reading, let the vibration or audible signal tell you that the step is complete.
☑️ Activation checklist
It's important to take your time at this point. Many users make the mistake of quickly applying the same finger area. The system has to count the edges, the center and the different faces of the pad. If you plan to use unlocking in the case, it's better to train the sensor right away in the case so that it remembers the position of the finger through the protection.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to register the print with a wet or dirty hand – this will lead to the preservation of an incorrect sample, and at a critical moment the phone may not unlock.
Adding additional fingerprints and managing
One of Xiaomi’s key security features is the ability to store up to 5 different fingerprints, a highly useful feature that allows you to add not only index fingers of both hands, but also thumbs, which is especially true when using a smartphone with one hand in a horizontal position.
To add a new finger, go back to the fingerprint control menu and press Add a fingerprint again. The system automatically detects that it is a new finger and assigns it a sequence number. It is recommended to call the fingers by clear names, such as "Left Big" or "Right Index", so that if necessary, quickly remove the specific sample.
Removing unnecessary fingerprints is done through the same interface. Just click on the fingerprint name and select the removal option. This is worth doing if you temporarily handed over the phone to another person or if one of your fingers was injured and the skin pattern changed.
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Add the same finger twice under different names (e.g., Finger 1 and Finger 1 copy) and this will greatly improve the speed and accuracy of unlocking, as it will be easier for the system to find a match.
Customization of actions when touching and gestures
The fingerprint scanner on Xiaomi smartphones is not just an unlocking tool, but also a multifunctional control tool. The fingerprint settings menu often includes the Additional Features or Touch Actions section, where you can assign commands to execute with a short or long press on the sensor.
For example, double tapping on a screen that is off can trigger the camera or take a screenshot. Long taps on an unlocked device can trigger a quick command menu or run a specific application, which makes interaction with the smartphone more intuitive and faster.
| Action. | Description of function | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Short touch | Screen unlocking | Main use |
| Long press. | Launching an application or menu | For frequently used programs |
| Double touch. | Screenshot or camera | For quick operations without unlocking |
| Swipe down. | Lowering the notification curtain | Convenient on big screens |
It is worth noting that the set of gestures available depends on the specific device model and firmware version. In some cases, additional options may need to be included in the developer menu to activate advanced features.
Using a fingerprint for payments and applications
Once the biometrics are successfully configured, it opens up the possibility of using a fingerprint to log in to third-party applications. Bank clients such as Sberbank, Tinkoff or Revolut allow you to log in and confirm transfers with a single touch, which is much safer than entering a password in a public place.
To configure this feature, you need to go to the settings of the application itself (usually the Security or Login section) and activate the fingerprint Login option. The system will redirect you to the confirmation system window where you need to attach a finger, and then log in to the application will be instantaneous.
Similarly, Google Play Market logins are configured, allowing you to buy apps, games and content without entering your account password each time, and biometrics is used to auto-fill passwords in Chrome and other password managers stored in the cloud.
⚠️ Note: When you reset your phone to factory settings or change the main unlock password, the fingerprint binding to payment systems will be reset and require reconfiguration in each application separately.
Solutions and sensitivity enhancement
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the phone no longer recognizes the previously registered finger, this may be due to contamination of the sensor, the use of a low-quality protective glass or a change in the condition of the skin (for example, calluses or cuts), in such cases, it is recommended to remove the old fingerprint and register it again.
If you have a thick protective glass, you can use the Sensitivity Enhance option in your screen settings, activating it enhances the scanner signal, which helps overcome the resistance of the extra layer, but it can slightly increase battery consumption and reduce safety, making the sensor susceptible to accidental touch.
What if the scanner works again?
In rare cases, the problem lies in a software failure: rebooting the device in safe mode will help to eliminate the influence of third-party applications. If this does not help, you may need to calibrate the sensor through the engineering menu, but this procedure is better entrusted to the specialists of the service center.
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Regularly restarting the smartphone and keeping the scanner zone clean are the best preventive measures for the stable operation of biometrics.