How to enable Face Unlock on Xiaomi Mi 8: detailed instructions with tips for setting up

Xiaomi Mi 8 is one of the first flagships of the brand to support face unlock technology (Face Unlock), despite the release of newer models, owners of this device still actively use it thanks to powerful hardware and up-to-date firmware. However, not everyone knows how to properly configure Face Unlock – the feature is hidden in the security menu and requires preliminary preparation.

In this article, we'll look at not only the basic switching procedure, but also the nuances that affect recognition speed, such as why the system might fail in the dark or if you change your hairstyle abruptly. MIUI Using Face Unlock for payments and banking applications is important for users who want to automate access to confidential data as much as possible.

If you just purchased the Mi 8 in the secondary market or after resetting, don’t rush to set up face unlock without reading our recommendations. Incorrect camera calibration or lack of software updates can make the feature useless.

Requirements for Face Unlock on Xiaomi Mi 8

Before you go into settings, make sure your smartphone meets the minimum requirements.Face Unlock on the Mi 8 only works if the following conditions are met:

• 📱 Version. MIUI at least 10.0 (stable or development) on earlier firmware, the function may be missing or malfunctioning.
• 🔄 Updated camera software. Front-facing module drivers should be up to date -- check Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔒 A pattern lock is installed or PIN-Face Unlock cannot be the only method of unlocking for security reasons.
• 🌡️ Ambient temperature from 0°C to 40°C. At extreme values, sensors may fail.

Pay special attention to the condition of the front camera. If it has scratches, dirt or traces of glue (for example, after sticking a protective film), the recognition system will fail.

Also check if the Camera app permissions are disabled in the privacy settings. Without access to the camera and microphone (used for noise reduction in scanning), Face Unlock will not work.

Step-by-step: how to turn on Face Unlock

Algorithm activation face unlock on Xiaomi Mi 8 no more 2-3 Follow the instructions carefully to avoid errors in the scan:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the notification panel).
2. Go to Lock Screen and Password (on some versions) MIUI This is called Blocking and Protection).
3. Enter the current one. PIN-code, pattern lock or password to verify identity.
4. Select Add a fingerprint/face (or Face Unlock if displayed separately).
5. Press Face Unlock and confirm the action.
6. Place your face in an oval frame on the screen. Hold your phone at eye level without tilting your head.
7. Wait until the scan is completed (the progress bar is 100% full) and the system will prompt you to repeat the process to improve accuracy, agree.
8. After successful addition, enable the Unlock option when you turn on the screen for instant access.

Remove the protective film from the front camera

Update MIUI to the latest version

Install PIN-code

Check the front camera in the application "Camera"

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If you see a “failed to recognize face” error during the scanning phase, try the following:

• 💡 Change the lighting – avoid bright sun or total darkness.
• 👓 Take off your glasses or headgear (if you wear them all the time, add a face with them as an alternative profile).
• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.

⚠️ Warning: Do not adjust Face Unlock immediately after active physical exertion or while intoxicated. Altered facial condition (redness, swelling) can lead to false positives in the future.

Why Face Unlock doesn’t work: common problems

Even after successful setup, Xiaomi Mi 8 users face situations where face unlock fails. Consider the typical causes and ways to eliminate them:

The problem of false positives deserves special attention, and if the smartphone unlocks to a photo or video of your face, this indicates a low level of protection.

1. Remove the current face profile in the settings.
2. Enable the option to "Require Open Eyes" (if available in your version) MIUI).
3. Scan in a well-lit room, slowly turning your head on the commands of the system.

Face Unlock vs. Fingerprint Comparison on Mi 8: Which Is Faster and Safer?

Many Xiaomi Mi 8 users are questioning whether to choose a face unlock method or a fingerprint.

• ⚡ Speed: Face Unlock is almost instantaneous (0.2-0.5 Sec), whereas the fingerprint scanner requires physical contact (0.5-1 However, in the dark or in an uncomfortable grip, the face is recognized longer.
• 🔐 Security: Fingerprint is more reliable - it's harder to fake.Face Unlock on Mi 8 uses 2D-scanning (without in-depth analysis), so vulnerable to high-resolution photos.
• 💰 Payment Compatibility: Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) are more likely to support fingerprint unlocking. Face Unlock can only be linked to certain services (e.g. Mi Pay).
• 🌍 Convenience: Unlocking the face does not require clean hands or the exact position of the finger, which is relevant for cold climates (gauntlets) or dirty work.

For maximum security, we recommend using a combination of both methods: a fingerprint for payments and confidential applications, and Face Unlock for quick access to basic functions, which minimizes risks and maintains convenience.

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If you use your smartphone frequently with gloves or wet hands, set up Face Unlock as the primary method and leave your fingerprint as a backup. MIUI You can set the priority of unlocking: Settings → Lock screen → Default unlock method

How to Improve Accuracy of Facial Recognition

If Face Unlock on your Xiaomi Mi 8 is unstable, try optimizing the settings according to our algorithm:

1. Add alternative profiles: Register a face with glasses, no glasses, different hairstyles. To do this, in the Face Unlock settings, select "Add an alternate face" and repeat the scan.
2. Calibrate sensors: Go to Settings → The phone. → All specifications → Sensors and run a front camera test, and if the values are out of the normal range, maintenance is required.
3. Adjust the lighting: Enable the option "Adaptive backlight" in the additional Face Unlock settings, which will help the camera to better adapt to different conditions.
4. Limit background processes: Close all applications before a face scan – some programs (especially those using a camera) may conflict with the recognition system.

For advanced users, there is a way to manually adjust the sensitivity through the engineering menu:

1. In the phone app, type ##4636##.
2. Select "Equipment Testing" → "Front camera".
3. In the "Face Detection Threshold" setting, set the value 70-80 (default 60). This will reduce the number of false positives.

⚠️ Warning: Changing the settings in the engineering menu can lead to unstable camera operation.Before experimenting, back up your settings through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Face Unlock and Security: Myths and Reality

There are a lot of rumors surrounding facial recognition technology, and we’ll see which ones are true for the Xiaomi Mi 8:

• 🔍 Myth 1: "Face Unlock can be fooled by a photo." Reality: On the Mi 8, this is only possible with low security settings. Enable the "Require a live face" option (if available) and rescan the face with a slow head rotation.
• 🕵️ Myth 2: "Xiaomi stores your biometrics on servers." Reality: All facial patterns are stored locally in a secure Trusted Execution Environment chip (TEE). They will not be transferred to the cloud without your explicit consent.
• 💡 Myth 3: "Face Unlock consumes a lot of battery. Reality: Sensors only activate when you press the power button or lift your phone. Battery consumption is minimal. 1-2% day-to-day with active use.

For additional protection, we recommend:

• 🔄 Regularly update the face pattern (once in a week) 3-6 months), as the appearance changes over time.
• 🚫 Disable Face Unlock for sensitive applications (banks, instant messengers) in their individual settings.
• 🔐 Use two-factor authentication for critical services, even if face unlock is enabled.

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Face Unlock on Xiaomi Mi 8 is not a replacement PIN-It should be considered as a convenient additional method of unlocking, not the main method of unlocking.

Alternative ways to unlock if Face Unlock is not suitable

If for some reason Face Unlock doesn’t suit you, consider alternative unlock methods on Xiaomi Mi 8:

For maximum convenience, you can combine methods.

• 🏠 Home - Face Unlock (Fast and Comfortable).
• 💼 At work - fingerprint (safer).
• 🌙 At night – double-click on the screen (if the option is enabled in Settings) → Lock screen → Double touch to wake up).

Remember that on Xiaomi Mi 8 you can assign different unlock methods for different applications, for example, for WhatsApp to set a fingerprint, and for the Gallery – Face Unlock, this is done in the settings of each application in the section “Block and Security”.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Face Unlock on Xiaomi Mi 8