MIUI Biometric on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Biometric Protection

If you are the owner of a Xiaomi smartphone based on the shell MIUI, We've probably encountered the term biometrics in our security settings, but what exactly is behind this feature? MIUI Biometric is a set of technologies that allow you to unlock a device, confirm payments and protect personal data using the unique physiological characteristics of the user: fingerprints, facial features or even voice. PIN-For codes or graphic keys, biometrics offers a faster and more reliable way to authenticate.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how the biometric system works in the MIUI, What types of biometrics are supported on different models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, And we'll also give you step-by-step instructions on how to set up and fix common problems, and we'll focus on security issues, like how reliable biometrics are compared to passwords, whether you can fool a face scanner, and what to do if your smartphone doesn't recognize your fingerprint. Whether you want to protect your data as much as possible or just speed up access to your device, this guide is for you.

What is it? MIUI Biometric and why you need it

MIUI Biometric is an authentication system built into Xiaomi’s shell that uses user biometrics to unlock the device, confirm transactions (such as payments via Mi Pay or Google Pay) and protect sensitive information. Unlike passwords that can be forgotten or picked up, biometrics are unique to each person and are almost impossible to copy.

The main tasks of biometrics in MIUI:

• 🔓 Quick unlocking – no need to enter PIN-code every time you put your finger or look at the screen.
• 💳 Payment confirmation – biometrics are used for authorization in banking applications and services NFC-payment.
• 🔒 Application protection – you can configure access to individual programs (such as Gallery or Notes) only by fingerprint.
• 📱 Multiplayer mode – on some Xiaomi models, biometrics allows you to quickly switch between profiles.

It is important to understand that biometric data is not stored in the cloud or on Xiaomi servers, but is encrypted and stored in a trusted execution environment, TEE) Even if an attacker gains access to the device's file system, they won't be able to extract your fingerprint or facial scan.

⚠️ Attention: Biometrics is convenient, but not always 100% safe. For example, the face scanner on Redmi budget models can be fooled by a photo. PIN-code, not in its place.

Types of biometrics in MIUI: print, face, voice

Shell MIUI It supports several types of biometric authentication, but their availability depends on the model of the smartphone and its hardware.

1. Fingerprint (Fingerprint)

The most common and reliable way to authenticate biometrics, fingerprint scanners in Xiaomi are:

• 👆 Subscreen (optical or ultrasonic) – used in flagships (Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F5 Pro).
• 🔘 Buttons – built into a physical button (for example, in Redmi Note 11).
• 📱 Rear – located on the back panel (budget models like Redmi) 10A).

Advantages: High accuracy (recognition error) ~1 in 50,000), works in any environment (even with wet or dirty fingers on ultrasound scanners) Disadvantages: requires physical contact, may not work when skin lesions are damaged.

2. Face recognition (Face Unlock)

Face Unlock technology in the MIUI two-type:

• 😊 2D-Recognition – uses a front-facing camera (available on most devices, but less secure).
• 👓 3D-Recognition – uses infrared sensors (for example, in Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro), as in Face ID Apple.

Advantages: unlocking "on the fly," no contact required: 2D-scanners are vulnerable to photos or masks, do not work in the dark (if there is no screen backlight).

3. Voice recognition (Voice Unlock)

Less common method available on some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Mix) 2S). The system analyzes the unique characteristics of the user's voice, advantages: convenient for unlocking hands-free. Disadvantages: low accuracy (can trigger voice recording), depends on the noise level.

In the table below, we compare the types of biometrics by key parameters:

How to set up biometrics on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Setup of biometrics in MIUI It takes no more than 5 minutes. Let's look at the process with fingerprints and facial recognition.

Fingerprint setting

1. Open Settings → Passwords and Security → Add a fingerprint.
2. Enter the current one. PIN-Device code or password (this is mandatory!).
3. Follow the instructions on the screen: Place your finger on the scanner at different angles until the indicator is 100% full.
4. Name the print (for example, "Indicative right") and save.

Tips for better recognition:

• 🖐️ Register the same finger 2-3 times at different angles – this will increase accuracy.
• 🚿 Avoid wet or dirty fingers when adding a fingerprint.
• 🔄 If the scanner is not working, try restarting the device or updating it. MIUI.

Facial recognition setting

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Face Recognition.
2. Enter. PIN-code.
3. Point the camera over your face and watch for clues (e.g., tilt your head left/right).
4. After a successful scan, turn on the Quick Unlock option (if you need instant unlock without pressing a button).

⚠️ Note: On devices without 3D-Face Unlock only works when the screen is on. In the dark, the system may not work - use your fingerprint as a backup.

Additional biometric settings

After adding biometric data, they can be configured flexibly:

• 🔐 Unlock applications: in Settings → Annexes → Block applications select programs that will open only on the fingerprint.
• 💰 Payment Confirmation: In Google Pay or Mi Pay, enable the option “Use biometrics to confirm».
• 🔄 Removal of fingerprints: in Settings → Passwords and security → Fingerprints can be removed from unnecessary patterns.

💡

If the fingerprint scanner stopped working after the update MIUI, Try to remove all the fingerprints you saved and add them back.

Safety of biometrics in MIUI: myths and realities

Many users question the reliability of biometric security for fear that their data could be stolen or tampered with, and let's see if these fears are well-founded.

Can I cheat the fingerprint scanner?

Modern scanners in Xiaomi (especially ultrasonic) are almost impossible to fool:

• 🚫 Photo or cast will not work – the scanner checks living tissue (pulse, temperature).
• 🩹 A damaged finger (cut, burn) may not be recognized, but it is more a disadvantage than a vulnerability.
• 🔧 Hardware hacks are theoretically possible, but require physical access to the device and specialized equipment.

How reliable is facial recognition?

It all depends on the type of scanner:

• 😷 2D-Recognition (on budget Redmi) can be tricked by a photo or video from another smartphone's screen.Do not use it to protect payments or sensitive data!
• 👁️ 3D-Recognition (on Xiaomi flagships) analyzes the depth of the face and will not miss the photo. ID.

Where are the biometric data stored?

Unlike passwords, biometric data never leaves the device.

• 🔐 Stored in a secure chip (TEE or Secure Enclave).
• 🔄 Even when resetting the settings, the biometrics are removed without the possibility of recovery.
• ☁️ Xiaomi doesn’t have access to your fingerprints or facial scans.

However, biometrics are not perfect, for example, if you are forced to unlock your smartphone (with your finger on the scanner), you cannot refuse, as in the case of the computer. PIN-That's why experts recommend:

• 🔟 Use biometrics together with PIN-code, not in its place.
• 🚨 Set up an emergency call (5 presses of the power button) for quick access to the SOS.

💡

Biometrics are convenient, but do not replace PIN-Always set a backup password in case the scanner fails.

Common problems with biometrics and their solutions

Even on top-end Xiaomi smartphones, there are sometimes biometrics failures, so let's look at typical situations and how to fix them.

1. The fingerprint scanner doesn't recognize the finger.

Causes and solutions:

• 🧴 Dirty scanner or finger → Wash the scanner with an alcohol napkin, wash your hands.
• 🩹 Skin damage → Add the same finger again at a different angle.
• 🔋 Weak battery. → Connect charging – some scanners turn off when low charge.
• 🔄 Software failure → Restart the device or reset the biometrics settings in Settings → Passwords and security.

2 Facial recognition doesn't work in the dark

It's typical of 2D-Scanner solutions:

• 💡 Turn on screen highlighting when unlocking in Face Unlock settings.
• 🌓 Use your fingerprint as a backup method.
• 🔦 Point an external light source at your face (like another smartphone flashlight).

3.Biometrics missing after update MIUI

Sometimes after major updates (e.g., with the MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) biometric data are reset:

1. Remove all saved fingerprints/faces in the settings.
2. Reset the device.
3. Add the biometrics again.
4. If the problem persists, reset settings through Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings (data not deleted).

4.The scanner is slow.

Possible causes:

• 📱 Contaminated scanner. → Clean it with a soft cloth.
• 🗃️ Too many prints. → Remove unnecessary (optimally 2-3 prints).
• 🔄 Background processes → Close all applications and restart your smartphone.

Comparison of Xiaomi biometrics with other brands

How to use a biometric system in MIUI Does it match up with Samsung, Apple or Google.

Conclusions:

• 🍎 Apple leads the way in 3D-Facial recognition, but Xiaomi has better fingerprint scanners in the budget segment.
• 🤖 Google and Samsung are inferior to Xiaomi in recognition speed in the middle price segment.
• 💰 On flagships (Xiaomi 14 Ultra) biometrics is not inferior to the iPhone, but on budget models (Redmi 12) loses in security.

The future of biometrics in Xiaomi: what to expect next

Xiaomi is investing heavily in biometrics, and we expect to see:

• 👁️ Iris scanners are already being tested in prototypes (more precisely Face). ID 10 times).
• 🧬 Behavioral biometrics – recognition by type, gait, or heart rhythm.
• 🔒 Multimodal authentication – a combination of face + print + voices for maximum safety.
• 📱 Underscreen cameras for 3D Face Unlock – without “bangs” and cutouts (as in Xiaomi Mix 4, but more precisely).

Xiaomi is also working on integrating biometrics with the Mi Home ecosystem, and in the future, you can unlock a smart lock or run a robot vacuum cleaner, Mi Robot, with just a glance or a voice.

Right now, in MIUI 14: Private Mode, which automatically blocks access to sensitive data (photos, messages) when recognizing a stranger, is a step towards fully context-sensitive security, where the smartphone itself determines who and what to show to.

FAQ: Frequent questions about MIUI Biometric