Previous articleMissing fingerprint on Xiaomi: 6 ways to return the scanner without losing data

The fingerprint scanner on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most convenient ways to unlock, but sometimes users are faced with its sudden disappearance. The situation is typical: you wake up in the morning, pick up your phone, put your finger on the sensor, and nothing happens. The fingerprint is also missing from the settings menu, and the system suggests adding it again as if it never existed. Why does this happen and how to return a fingerprint to Xiaomi without resetting to the factory settings?

The reasons for the disappearance of a fingerprint can vary from a banal MIUI failure to a file system damage after a failed update. Most often, the problem occurs on Redmi Note 10/11/12, Poco X3/X4/X5 and Xiaomi flagships 12/13/14, but older devices are not insured. In this article, we will discuss all working methods of recovery, from simple reboots to manual editing of system files.

Important: if the print disappeared after updating MIUI or installing custom firmware, first check the version of the software. In some builds (for example, MIUI 14.0.4.0 for Redmi Note 11 Pro+) there was a bug with the removal of biometric data - it was fixed in subsequent patches.

1.Reboot and check the sensor: the first step of diagnosis

Before you start a complex manipulation, make sure that the problem is not temporary.

🔹 Reboot your smartphone — press the power button and select Reboot. Once turned on, check if the fingerprint appears in the settings (Settings) → Passwords and security → Fingerprint).

🔹 Wipe the sensor, sometimes dirt or fat interferes with reading. Use a soft napkin (not alcohol!). On models with an ultrasonic scanner (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra), a light touch is enough.

🔹 Check the physical health of the sensor:

• 📱 On the screen with the sensor under the display (AMOLED-Models -- try unlocking your phone with your other finger, and if you don't respond, you may have a damaged plume.
• 🔘 On mechanical buttons (e.g. Redmi) 9A) — Press the power button several times. If it's a flash or a creak, the sensor might have moved away from the board.

⚠️ Note: If there is no fingerprint in the settings after the reboot (the menu item has disappeared), the problem may be related to file corruption. /data/system/users/0/settings_fingerprint.xml. In this case, only resetting or manual recovery will help (see section). 5).

2. Reset the fingerprint settings without deleting the data

If the sensor is physically healthy but the fingerprints are not recognized, try resetting the biometrics settings. This method works on MIUI 12-15 and does not affect personal files:

📌 Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Passwords and Security → Fingerprint.
2. If the system suggests adding a new fingerprint, click Delete all fingerprints (if the item is active).
3. Confirm the action with a password / pattern lock.
4. Reboot your phone and add the print again.

💡 Why does it help? Sometimes fingerprint configuration files (fingerprint.db) get corrupted but not deleted completely.

⚠️ If the print is not added after reset, check it out:

• 🔧 Developer Settings - Turn Off Debugging by USB Allow location simulation (they can block biometrics).
• 🛡️ Antiviruses – some (such as Avast) block access to the sensor as a “suspicious device".

3. MIUI Update: If the bug is in the firmware

Some versions of MIUI (especially 13.0.4.0–13.0.6.0 for the Redmi Note 10 Pro) had a bug that caused the prints to disappear after the update.

🔄 How to upgrade properly:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Download the latest version.
3. If the update is not available, download it manually from en.miui.com (choose a stable version for your model!).
4. Install the file through Select the firmware file in the update menu.

📊 Table: Versions MIUI fingerprint-bug

⚠️ Warning: If the print still doesn't work after the update, and the settings show an error "Can't initialize the sensor", this may indicate a hardware malfunction.

💡

Before updating, disable the bootloader lock (if it was enabled). To do this, type the command in ADB:

fastboot oem unlock-go

4. Recovery through Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

If the fingerprint is missing after installing a third-party application (such as Magisk, LSPosed or a modified MIUI Launcher), the problem may be in the conflict of programs.

🛡️ How to log in to Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button until the shutdown menu appears.
2. Press and hold the item Turn off power (on some models - Reboot).
3. Confirm the safe mode entry (the Safe mode will appear at the bottom of the screen).

🔍 What to do next:

• 📱 Check if the print appears in the settings. If so, there's a problem in one of the apps installed.
• 🗑️ Remove newly installed programs (especially those that have requested rights) ADMIN or ACCESSIBILITY).
• 🔄 Restart your phone in normal mode.

Critical information: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro) in Safe Mode, the fingerprint may not work due to MIUI limitations. In this case, try the method from Section 5 (Manual File Recovery).

5. Manual fingerprint file recovery (for advanced)

If previous methods have failed and fingerprinting is critical (for example, to unlock banking applications), you can try to restore system files manually, which requires root rights or access to ADB.

🔧 Instructions for users with root:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer.
2. Go to /data/system/users/0/.
3. Find the files: settings_fingerprint.xml fingerprint.db (or fingerprint.db-wal)

fingerprint.db.bak

Reboot your phone and add the print again.

🖥️ Instructions through ADB (rootless):

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/users/0/settings_fingerprint.xml




rm /data/system/users/0/fingerprint.db




reboot

⚠️ Note: Deleting these files will reset all the saved fingerprints, including data for applications (for example, SberBank or Tinkoff.

6.Extreme measure: reset to factory settings

If none of the methods worked, and a fingerprint is critical, then Hard Reset is left, and this method will delete all the data from the phone, so back up first:

⚠️ How to Reset the Settings Right:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Erase All Data (not Reset!).
3. Enter the password from the Mi Account (if linked).
4. Confirm the reset.

🔄 After discharge:

• 📱 Set your phone up as new, but don’t restore data from a backup (it may contain corrupted fingerprint files).
• 👆 Add a print in the settings immediately.
• 🔒 Install applications one by one, checking the sensor’s performance after each installation.

Important: On models with bootloader lock (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) after reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. Make sure you remember your login and password!

💡

Resetting to factory settings is the only way to return a fingerprint if the file system is damaged or an unofficial firmware with bugs is installed.

7. Hardware malfunctions: when you need to service

If the print is missing after a phone drop, moisture or self-disassembly, the problem may be hardware.

🚨 Symptoms of sensor malfunction:

• 🔴 The sensor does not respond to any touch (even after resetting).
• 💧 Under the display (on AMOLED-models) show stains or stains.
• 🔌 The phone doesn’t recognize any fingerprint, but other features (like the camera or speakers) work normally.
• 📉 The settings show an error: "Fingerprint sensor does not respond".

🔧 What you can do on your own:

• 🔍 Check the sensor plume (on models with a mechanical power button). To do this, disassemble the phone and make sure that the plume is tightly connected to the motherboard.
• 💧 If the phone falls into water, dry it in rice or silica gel for 24 to 48 hours!

🏥 When to contact the service:

• 🔧 If the sensor is physically damaged (cracks, dents).
• 🔌 If after disassembly it is seen that the plume is severed or oxidized.
• 📱 If the phone is warranty – self-repair will deprive you of the right to free service.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with an ultrasonic sensor (for example, Mi 11 Ultra or Mix 4), self-repair is almost impossible - special equipment is required for calibration. The cost of replacing the sensor in the service: from 3,000 to 8,000 rubles (depending on the model).

FAQ: Frequent questions about fingerprint recovery