Xiaomi Redmi 12 fingerprint scanner: where to find, how to set up and what to do if it doesn’t work

Why it’s important to know the location of the scanner in Redmi 12

Xiaomi Redmi 12 became one of the most popular budget devices of 2023, combining modern design, productive filling and affordable price. One of the key security features in this model is a fingerprint scanner – a convenient and fast way to unlock the screen, confirm payments and protect personal data. However, many users wonder where exactly the fingerprint sensor in Redmi 12 is located, especially if they switched from other Xiaomi models where the scanner could be in different places.

Unlike flagship devices, where the sensor is often integrated into the screen, Redmi 12 uses a classic side-mounted arrangement, driven by the manufacturer’s desire to reduce the cost of the smartphone without losing functionality. But even this familiar solution can cause confusion — for example, if you are used to a rear scanner on older models or a sub-screen scanner on new ones. In this article, we will not only show you where exactly the fingerprint scanner in the Xiaomi Redmi 12 is, but also tell you how to properly configure it, why it can stop working and what to do with it.

Where is the fingerprint sensor in Xiaomi Redmi 12

In Xiaomi Redmi 12, the fingerprint scanner is located on the right side of the body, combined with the on/lock button, a typical solution for budget and mid-budget Xiaomi smartphones of recent years, called side-mounted, and has several advantages:

• 🔹 Intuitive use – the finger naturally falls on the button when grabbing the phone.
• 🔹 Quick unlock – no need to flip the phone or look for a sensor on the back.
• 🔹 Protection against accidental pressing – unlike underscreen scanners, the side sensor is less responsive to moisture or dirt.

Visually, the sensor is a small indentation on the power button with a metal ring around it, protrudes slightly above the surface of the case, so it's easy to find by touch. If you hold the phone in your right hand, the thumb will automatically lie on the scanner, which is done for maximum convenience.

How to distinguish fingerprint scanner from the usual power button

Some users have difficulty identifying the sensor, especially if they have previously used a smartphone with a rear or underscreen scanner. In Redmi 12, the power button and the fingerprint scanner are combined into one module, but visually they can be distinguished by several features:

If you're still in doubt, try to easily swipe the button -- the fingerprint scanner will be slightly rough to the touch, while the normal button is smooth. You can also try to register the fingerprint: if the system offers to put your finger to the side button, then you have found the sensor.

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If the scanner doesn't respond to touch, try cleaning it with a soft napkin dipped in alcohol. Fat marks from your fingers can impair recognition.

Step-by-step: how to set up a fingerprint scanner on Redmi 12

The Xiaomi Redmi 12 fingerprint sensor takes less than a minute to set up, but requires attention to detail. Here is a step-by-step algorithm to help avoid errors:

1. Open the settings – go to Settings → Passwords and security.
2. Select “Fingerprint” – if the function is disabled, the system will prompt you to enter PIN-code.
3. Add a new fingerprint – click Add a fingerprint and follow the instructions on the screen.
4. Put your finger on the scanner – the phone will ask you to attach and raise your finger several times to record the fingerprint from different sides.
5. Save the fingerprint – after a successful recording, the system will prompt you to name it (for example, “Index finger of the right hand”).

It is important to take into account several nuances:

• 🔹 Register the fingerprint of the finger you normally hold on your phone.
• 🔹 Don’t press too hard – the sensor triggers a light touch.
• 🔹 Record the print in good lighting – this improves scan accuracy.

Once set up, you can test the scanner by locking and unlocking the screen, and if the fingerprint doesn't get recognized the first time, try registering it again or adding a backup finger.

Why the fingerprint scanner in Redmi 12 may not work: the main reasons

Even after setting it up properly, the fingerprint sensor in Xiaomi Redmi 12 sometimes refuses to recognize the finger, which can be due to software failures and physical damage.

⚠️ Note: If the scanner stopped working after a phone drop or moisture hit, do not try to disassemble the device yourself. In this case, a diagnosis is required at the service center, as the plume or the sensor itself may have been damaged.

• 📱 Sensor contamination - fat, dust or moisture on the scanner surface impairs recognition. - Wipe the sensor with a soft wipe.
• 🔋 Weak battery power – with a charge level below 15%, some safety features may be turned off to save energy.
• 🔄 Software failure – after system update or reset, the scanner may require re-registration of fingerprints.
• 🧤 Worn-out or damaged sensor – if the phone fell frequently, there could be mechanical damage to the module.
• 🧊 Cold hands -- low skin temperature can make the print worse. Try warming your hands.

If the scanner is not working after the MIUI update, try resetting the sensor settings:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Fingerprint.
2. Delete all the fingerprints you saved.
3. Reboot the phone.
4. Register the print again.

Comparison of the fingerprint scanner in Redmi 12 with other Xiaomi models

Xiaomi uses different types of fingerprint sensors depending on the series and price segment of the smartphone. For clarity, compare the Redmi 12 with other popular models:

As you can see from the table, Redmi 12 is equipped with a capacitive side scanner that is inferior in speed to the subscreen solutions of flagships, but benefits in reliability and resistance to external influences. For example, optical subscreen sensors (as in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+) often fail in bright sunlight or wet hands, while the Redmi 12 side scanner is free of these shortcomings.

In addition, capacitive sensors are less prone to wear and tear over time, which is important for low-end devices that rarely change. If you are critical to unlock speed, you can further adjust facial recognition in the security settings, which will speed up access to the phone in most scenarios.

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The side scanner in Redmi 12 is the best choice for a budget smartphone: it is more reliable than underscreen counterparts, cheaper to manufacture and more convenient than rear sensors.

Frequent errors of users when using a fingerprint scanner

Many problems with the scanner in Xiaomi Redmi 12 It's caused by the wrong behavior of users.-5 errors that lead to failures:

• 🚫 Fingerprint registration – fat or moisture on the skin distorts the sample and the scanner then fails to recognize the finger.
• 🚫 Use of high-sided covers – some cases block access to the sensor, interfering with reading.
• 🚫 Too fast removal of the finger – the sensor does not have time to read the print completely, which leads to errors.
• 🚫 Low light imprint settings – in the dark, the sensor camera may not be able to read skin relief correctly.
• 🚫 Ignoring updates MIUI — In new versions of firmware, bugs associated with the scanner are often fixed.

Another common mistake is to register only one fingerprint, and if you add 2-3 fingers (for example, index and big), it will increase the chances of successfully unlocking in different situations (when one hand is busy or a finger is damaged), and also remember that the scanner can work worse if you recently applied cream on your hands or put on gloves.

⚠️ Warning: If you use your phone in the cold, the fingerprint sensor may temporarily shut down, because the capacitive sensors don't work well in lower temperatures. -10°C. In this case, unlock the phone. PIN-or transfer it to a warm place in the 5-10 minute.

FAQ: Answers to Popular Questions About the Redmi 12 Fingerprint Scanner