Enabling biometric protection is one of the first steps that a new smartphone owner or someone who wants to improve the security of their device must take. The Xiaomi Redmi 5A, despite its budget-grade, features a full-fledged physical fingerprint scanner located on the back, which allows not only unlocking the screen with a touch, but also using your finger to log in to apps and confirm payments.
The process of activating this feature in the MIUI shell is as simple as possible and takes just a few minutes. However, users often encounter nuances that can be confusing when you first set up, and in this article we will take a detailed look at the step-by-step algorithm of actions, look at the sensitivity settings and answer questions that arise when using fingerprinting on this device.
Preparation for biometrics setup
Before you start scanning, make sure your smartphone is ready to work with security. First of all, check the cleanliness of the scanner, which is under the MI logo on the back cover. Fat spots or moisture can significantly reduce the quality of the readout, so wipe the surface with a soft cloth.
It is also important that a password is set on the device, PIN-Android security requires an alternative unlock method in case the sensor can't read the fingerprint. Without this step, activation of biometrics will not be possible.
Make sure the finger you plan to use is dry and clean.If you work in high humidity or your hands are prone to sweating, this may require more careful sensitivity adjustments later on.
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Use the thumb of the hand you most often hold your smartphone – this will make unlocking as quick and natural as possible.
Step-by-step instructions for activating the scanner
To start the process, you need to go to the appropriate settings menu. Open the Settings app on your desktop and find the Additional section. This is where most versions of MIUI firmware for this model hide the advanced security settings.
Inside the menu, select Advanced Settings, then go to Fingerprints, and the system will prompt you to create or confirm an existing screen unlock password, and after successfully entering the code, the main biometrics management menu will open.
Press Add fingerprint. The screen changes, and a graphical prompt will appear, instructing you to put your finger on the scanner. Hold the phone still on the table or firmly in your hand to ensure readability.
☑️ Algorithm of settings
Scanning and calibration process
The most critical step is to scan directly, so place your finger pad on the scanner so that you only touch the center of the sensor, and don't press your finger too hard, with a fairly light but confident contact.
The system will read the data in stages, and every time the progress bar is full, shift your finger a few millimeters to cover the different edges and center of the pad, and this will create a complete map of the skin's topography.
- 👉 Place your finger centrally to read the main area.
- 👉 Move your finger left and right to capture the side faces.
- 👉 Change the angle of inclination so that the system remembers the imprint from different angles.
If the process is interrupted or an error message appears, just start over. It's important to take your time and give the system time to process each segment, and after successful completion, you'll see a message that the fingerprint has been added.
What if the scanner can’t see the finger?
Setup of functions and security
Once you successfully add biometrics, you can rename your profile in the fingerprint menu to avoid confusion if you decide to add fingers from other family members or backups.
Special attention should be paid to the function of Unlock by fingerprint. Make sure that this switch is activated. You can also configure the action here with prolonged pressing on the scanner, although in budget models like Redmi 5A, the functionality can be limited only to unlocking.
To improve security, it is recommended to activate the password requirement after rebooting the device, a standard data protection measure in an Android environment that prevents access to information even if you have your fingerprint immediately after turning on the phone.
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Adding the same finger twice under different names greatly speeds up and improves the quality of unlocking in everyday use.
Use of fingerprint in applications
Modern apps are using biometrics for quick access, with bank clients, messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, and photo storage allowing fingerprint entry.
To activate this feature, you don't need to go into system settings, just open the settings of the application itself, find the Privacy or Security section, and select the biometric login option, and the system will request confirmation through the Xiaomi scanner.
This is not only convenient, but also safe, since the applications do not receive the image of your fingerprint, but only confirmation of the match of the hash from the operation.--system.
- 🔒 Banking applications for confirmation of transfers.
- 💬 Messengers for quick entry into chats.
- 📁 Hidden folders and galleries to protect personal photos.
Table: Possible states of the indicator
Understanding the signals that the vibrator and screen give you helps you master the device faster. Below are the main conditions you will encounter.
| Status. | Indication | User action |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting. | Vibration is short. | Put your finger on. |
| Reading error | Double vibration. | Wipe the scanner, change your finger. |
| Successful unlocking | One vibrating signal + screen | Working with a smartphone |
| Too many attempts. | 30 seconds lockdown | Wait or enter a password |
Solution and troubleshooting
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the scanner stops responding or is not working correctly, most often the problem is a software failure or contamination. Try to reboot the device, which solves 90% of the time glitches of the interface.
If the problem persists, delete the saved fingerprint from the memory and add it again, following the instructions above. If you repeat the situation, you can try resetting to factory settings, but this will result in the complete removal of all data from the phone, so make a backup copy in advance.
⚠️ Note: If the scanner stops working after a phone drop or moisture hits, there is a high probability of physical damage to the plume, in which case the software methods will not help, you will need to replace the module in the service center.
Also, consider that a protective film or cover covering the area around the camera and scanner may interfere with proper operation.
In rare cases, updating firmware to the latest available version through the About Phone menu helps. Xiaomi developers periodically release patches that improve the performance of hardware drivers.