Modern Xiaomi Redmi smartphones offer users not only affordable prices, but also advanced methods of protecting personal information. One of the most convenient and quickest ways to unlock the screen is to scan the fingerprint. This biometric technology allows you to access the device in a split second, eliminating the need to enter a pin code or a pattern lock every time.
The process of tuning the biometrics in the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS is intuitive, but has its own nuances that should be considered for maximum reliability. Proper sensor calibration during the initial registration stage ensures that the phone will recognize you even with wet or slightly contaminated hands. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the entire path from entering the settings to fine-tuning the sensor sensitivity.
It’s worth noting that the scanner’s location depends on your particular model. On budget devices, it’s often integrated into the power button on the side of the screen, whereas more expensive models can have an ultrasonic scanner right below the screen. Regardless of the type of hardware, the setup software looks almost identical to the entire Redmi ecosystem.
Preparation of the device for work with biometrics
Before you go directly to the scan, you need to make sure that the security system is ready to work. Biometric data is stored in a secure partition of memory, access to which is only opened after you set the main unlock password. Without this step, you will not be able to adjust the fingerprint, since the system must have an alternative method of authorization in case of a sensor failure.
Make sure your screen is clean and dry and the finger you plan to use is free of severe damage or contamination. Optical scanners built into the screen may react less to greasy traces, so pre-wiping the display with a soft cloth will be a great start to the procedure. Also check the battery level, although the setting process does not require much energy, suddenly turning off the device in the middle of the process can lead to a data recording error.
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Rub the scanner area (especially if it is underscreen) with an alcohol napkin before setting up - this will improve the quality of the skin pattern reading.
If you have previously used third-party applications to lock or changed system files, it is recommended to reset the security settings to factory values.This will eliminate software conflicts that can interfere with the correct operation of the scanner drivers.
Step-by-step instructions for adding a fingerprint
To start the unlocking process, go to the main settings menu of your smartphone. Find a section that can be called Passwords and Security or Fingerprints, Face Data, depending on the operating system version. Inside this menu, you will need to select the Add fingerprint option. The system will alert you that the data will be stored locally, and request confirmation of action.
☑️ Pre-scan check
Once confirmed, the scanning process will begin. You'll need to put your finger on the sensor many times, changing the angle of inclination slightly each time. The recording algorithm creates a three-dimensional map of papillary lines, so it's important to grab the edges of your finger, not just the center of it. Don't press your finger too hard, a light touch is more accurate than pressing the skin.
As you fill in the progress scale, the system will give vibrational or audible signals indicating that a new site has been read successfully, so if you feel that a finger edge is not being read, you can press the Add Re-and scan that particular area separately, which is especially true for people with wide fingers whose fingerprint does not fit into one standard scanning procedure.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to register another person's finger while the phone is in your hands.To add a new user, the device will require the owner's primary password confirmation.
Configure additional security functions
Once you've saved your fingerprint successfully, you'll have an extended setting, and you can activate the screen unlock feature, which allows you to instantly jump to the desktop when you touch the sensor. In older versions of MIUI, you need to press it, but today's algorithms work instantly, with little or no response time.
Special attention should be paid to the security settings for applications: you can prevent the launch of certain programs (for example, bank clients or gallery) without re-biometric authorization. To do this, the fingerprint settings menu selects Hide content or Lock applications, after which the desired icons are selected in the list, which creates an additional layer of protection even when the phone is unlocked.
You can also use a fingerprint to log in to Google Play and Mi Pay, and activate these switches to allow you to pay for purchases in stores and apps with a single touch, without entering card data, which is not only convenient, but also safer, since the seller does not see your card number, and the payment is confirmed by a unique biometric key.
Table: Comparison of scanner types in Redmi
Understanding which sensor is installed in your device helps you better understand how it works and the possible limitations. The table below shows the main differences between the technologies used in the Xiaomi Redmi line.
| Type of scanner | Location. | Speed of operation | Features of work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacitive | Back or side | Instant. | Requires physical pressure, does not work through glass |
| Optical | Under the screen | Tall. | Glows when scanned, sensitive to bright light |
| Ultrasonic. | Under the screen (flagships) | Very high. | Works through water and dirt, more expensive in production |
| 2D/3D Face ID | Front camera. | Medium | Works at a distance, less safe than a finger |
Owners of devices with scanners should remember that the protective glass must be of high quality. Cheap glasses with poor light transmission can significantly reduce the speed and accuracy of recognition, forcing you to apply your finger several times, in which case the system can offer to recalibrate the fingerprint through a special menu.
Deletion and management of stored data
You can delete a saved fingerprint or add a new one at any time, which is useful if you hurt your finger or just want to change the priority unlock method, and you can click on the saved profile name (usually "Fingerprint 1") in the fingerprint management menu and select the Delete option, and the system will require password confirmation to avoid accidental deletion.
The maximum number of fingerprints you can save is usually limited to five, which allows you to register your thumbs in both hands, as well as your index fingers, for example. The distribution of fingerprints across different fingers increases usability: when the phone is on the table, it is easier to touch it with your index finger, and it is more convenient to use your thumb in your hand.
What to do if the print stops reading?
Remember to periodically check the relevance of the stored data. If you rarely use a particular finger to unlock, the template can be removed by the security system after a long period of non-use or update of the software.
Problem solving and calibration
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the phone no longer recognizes the owner. This can be caused by a software failure or contamination of the sensor. The first step should always be to clean the scan area. If that didn't work, try rebooting the device. In rare cases, resetting network settings and biometrics through the recovery menu helps, but this is an extreme measure.
If the scanner is slow or error-free, check to see if the hypersensitivity mode is on (relevant for protective glasses). In some Redmi models, this option is in Advanced Settings. Also make sure that the device has the latest firmware version installed, as updates often contain patches to improve the performance of biometric drivers.
⚠️ Warning: If the scanner stopped working after the phone fell or moisture got in, the problem could be hardware, in which case the software methods won't help, and you'll need a diagnosis at the service center.
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90% of recognition problems are solved by simply cleaning the sensor and re-recording the fingerprint with the finger edges.
For advanced users, it is possible to engineer calibrate through a special menu, but without the appropriate skills, it is better not to go there. Incorrect actions in the engineering menu can lead to complete inoperability of the security module, which will no longer be software-based to restore.