Xiaomi Redmi smartphones offer many ways to protect personal data, and biometric authentication is at the forefront. Turning on a fingerprint scanner is not just a convenience that allows you to instantly unlock your device with a single touch, but also an important level of security for your personal files, banking applications and correspondence. The activation process takes only a few minutes, but requires careful follow-up steps to ensure that the sensor works correctly.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps of setting up biometrics on the MIUI or HyperOS shell, consider the possible nuances of the location of sensors and how to solve typical problems. Regardless of whether the scanner is built into the screen or combined with the power button, the algorithm of actions in the settings menu remains almost identical for most models.
Before you start scanning, make sure that the surface of your finger and the sensor itself are clean and dry. Fat, moisture or contamination can significantly reduce the quality of the reading and lead to errors when activating the function, so pre-wiping the screen or button is a must-have preparatory step.
Location of the sensor and types of scanners
Xiaomi uses different scanning technologies depending on the price segment and year of release of the device. In the budget and mid-range models of the Redmi Note series, a physical button is often found integrated into the body, while flagship devices are equipped with optical or ultrasonic sensors under the display.
Understanding your scanner type is important for the right finger-to-finger technique. If you have a model with a sensor in the screen, you need to put your finger flat without pressing hard, because you're scanning the papillary pattern, not mechanically pressing it. In the case of a side or rear scanner, you need a sharper and tighter finger pad pressing to the surface of the sensor.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to activate the scanner if a screen is fitted with a protective film thicker than 0.3 mm or a tempered glass of poor quality, this may make the operation of the optical scanner under the screen impossible.
You can determine the type of scanner visually or by referring to the specification of your model in the official Service app. If you are not sure where exactly the sensor is, try swiping your finger on the side face or back panel in the area of the brand logo.
Primary setting of biometrics in the system
To get started with biometrics, you need to go to the main settings menu of your smartphone. Find the Passwords and Security section, which is usually located at the top of the list or is searchable by settings, and this is where all the device access control tools are concentrated.
In the menu that opens, select Unlock by fingerprint. The system will ask you to enter your current password, PIN-It's a security requirement, because biometrics can't be the only way to unlock it, there's always a digital analogue.
Once you confirm your identity, the system will suggest adding your first fingerprint. Press Add fingerprint and follow the instructions on the screen. You will need to repeatedly apply your chosen finger to the scanner, changing the angle of inclination slightly so that the device counts different parts of the papillary pattern.
☑️ Checking before setting up
The scanning process is accompanied by vibration and visual filling of the progress scale. Try not to make sudden movements and touch the sensor with the same part of your finger that you normally use to unlock. If progress is stuck at a certain percentage, try changing your finger position slightly or rubbing the sensor with a soft cloth.
Addition of additional prints
Xiaomi’s modern smartphones allow you to save up to 5 different fingerprints, a very useful feature that allows you to add a second hand finger or, for example, a close relative’s fingerprint for emergency access to the device.
To add a new finger, go back to the fingerprint management menu and press Add fingerprint again. The system will prompt you to select which finger you are currently scanning, which helps to further identify the added data in the list.
When you add second and subsequent fingerprints, the algorithm of actions is no different from the initial setup, but it is worth remembering that the more data is stored in memory, the higher the theoretical probability of false positives, although modern MIUI algorithms minimize this risk.
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Add the same finger twice under different names (e.g., Finger 1 and Finger 1 copy) to improve the speed and accuracy of unlocking, as it will be easier for the system to find a match.
Removing unnecessary fingerprints occurs through long-term clicks on a list entry or through a special editing menu, regularly check the list and delete the data of fingers that you have stopped using or that have been added temporarily.
Setting up functions and quick actions
The fingerprint scanner on Xiaomi Redmi devices is not only the key to unlock, but also the optional settings for additional settings or special features, where you can assign actions for long pressing or double tapping on the sensor.
You can set up the camera to start, turn on a flashlight or open a specific application with a simple touch, which turns the sensor into a powerful smartphone control tool, allowing you to perform frequent actions without having to unlock the device and look for an icon on your desktop.
| Action. | Description | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|
| Unlocking | Instant access to the desktop | Main switch |
| Camera launch | Opening the Camera app with the screen off | Long press. |
| Acceptance of the call | Response to incoming touch call | Call settings |
| Leaflet photo | Switching slides in the gallery | Gallery settings |
Some features may not be available depending on the version of the Android operating system or regional firmware. If you don't find the right option, check for system updates or search inside the settings menu.
Secret combinations
Use of fingerprint for payment and authorization
One of the main reasons for activating biometrics is the ability to securely pay in stores and log in to apps. Once the scanner is successfully configured, Google Pay (or its analogues) and banking apps will automatically suggest using a fingerprint instead of entering a password.
To work, this feature requires that the security settings activate a clause allowing the use of the fingerprint for payments, which is usually enabled by default, but for increased security, some users prefer to activate it manually.
When you first attempt to pay through NFC Or in a bank application, the system will ask you to confirm the use of biometrics, and then all transactions will be carried out in one touch, which greatly speeds up the purchase process and increases the security of funds, since it is more difficult to steal your fingerprint than to peek. PIN-code.
⚠️ Note: When rebooting a smartphone, the first unlock and payment confirmation always require the main digital password, the biometrics at this point does not work.
You can also use your fingerprint to log in to messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, adding another layer of protection to your emails, which is customized in the Privacy section of each app.
Diagnostics and Solving Sensor Problems
If the scanner has stopped responding or is not working correctly, the first thing to do is to check whether the In-pocket mode is on or the protective film is not covering the scanning area, and problems can occur after a software update when recalibration of the data is required.
The fingerprint settings menu often includes the Remove All Fingerprints feature, completely deleting old data and re-scanning from scratch 90% of the time solves problems with slow or mistaken unlocking, and remember to change your finger during the scanning process to cover all the edges of the pad.
If the software methods don't work, there may be a hardware malfunction. Check the sensor's performance through an engineering menu or a special diagnostic application, entering the code ##6484## in the call and selecting the Fingerprint test.
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Re-registration of the fingerprint from scratch is the most effective solution for failures in the scanner, especially after updating the system or replacing the protective glass.
If the test in the engineering menu shows an error of equipment, you will need to contact the service center to replace the plume or the scanner module itself.