[AC Question]

Since my Galaxy S7 Edge received the Marshmallow 6.0.1 up grade I am unable to unlock my phone using my fingerprint. I get a warning 'Enter PIN instead of using fingerprint recognition because of security policy'. It does work but only very rarely. I now have to use my PIN. This was not the case before the upgrade when I hardly every had to enter my PIN.

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! First, go to Settings>Security and see what happens if you Clear Credentials. If that doesn't help, then try removing your fingerprints from memory, then set up the fingerprint unlock again.

[osubass1]

are you using Nova Launcher?

[dpham00]

How are you turning the screen off? If you are using any third-party method then it will require a pin

[King Mustard]

are you using Nova Launcher?

How are you turning the screen off? If you are using any third-party method then it will require a pin

I am using Nova Launcher and I'm getting the, "Enter PIN instead of using fingerprint recognition because of security policy." issue.

Is this solvable without ditching Nova Launcher?

[dpham00]

I am using Nova Launcher and I'm getting the, "Enter PIN instead of using fingerprint recognition because of security policy." issue.

Is this solvable without ditching Nova Launcher?

You can use Nova launcher, just turn the phone screen off with the power button. It should now turn on using fingerprint.

[King Mustard]

You can use Nova launcher, just turn the phone screen off with the power button. It should now turn on using fingerprint.

When the phone locks itself, it asks for the PIN.

Any ideas?

[dpham00]

When the phone locks itself, it asks for the PIN.

Any ideas?

It is probably related to some third party app. Mine works fine with screen timeout.

If you can't figure out which app, you can backup any important data and do a factory data reset and don't install any apps to see if you still have the same problem.

[osubass1]

if you have Nova set as an administrator on your phone, that's the cause of the problem.

i don't use Nova, but there are several thread in the forum that talk about this issue. you may need to search a bit to see if you can find the resolution.

[dpham00]

if you have Nova set as an administrator on your phone, that's the cause of the problem.

i don't use Nova, but there are several thread in the forum that talk about this issue. you may need to search a bit to see if you can find the resolution.

I have Nova set as device administrator and fps works fine. About the only issue with Nova is if you set a gesture to turn the screen off, and use the gesture to turn the screen off then it will require pin /password. You can have it set in the settings but use the power button to turn off and it should work fine

[King Mustard]

[dpham00]

You can try to disable Nova from device administrator. I don't think it will make a difference, so long as you use the power button to turn off... But you can try.

[King Mustard]

You can try to disable Nova from device administrator. I don't think it will make a difference, so long as you use the power button to turn off... But you can try.

Didn't work

[dpham00]

Didn't work

Which is what I thought... Probably some other third party app.

[brando0623]

I am just wondering King Mustard, what application has the "Screen Notifications" Admin Rights?

[Joe Beanfish]

If you are using any third-party method then it will require a pin

Huh?? What's that got to do with unlocking?
Thank you Google for making the fingerprint reader useless. You keep making getting into the phone more and more cumbersome. First there was swiping to get the unlock pad, now can't use fingerprint. Pretty soon everyone will dump screen locks and have wide-open phones anyone can get into. Congratulations on making Android less secure.

[chanchan05]

Huh?? What's that got to do with unlocking?
Thank you Google for making the fingerprint reader useless. You keep making getting into the phone more and more cumbersome. First there was swiping to get the unlock pad, now can't use fingerprint. Pretty soon everyone will dump screen locks and have wide-open phones anyone can get into. Congratulations on making Android less secure.

Using a third party locker liks a screen lock app or Tasker, is considered unsecure, since that's how ransomware can affect you, or get your fingerprint data. Hence fingerprint is disabled for instances where a third party is used to lock the screen.

[Joe Beanfish]

I'm not using a 3rd party locker. Only a 3rd party activation of the standard locker. If the API for activating lock gives access to credentials that's an API that's so far beyond broken....

[chanchan05]

I'm not using a 3rd party locker. Only a 3rd party activation of the standard locker. If the API for activating lock gives access to credentials that's an API that's so far beyond broken....

That still counts. Basically, you can't use a third party to activate the lock anymore.

[hi_kvan]

hi chanchan05, this third party app name quick gesture work with fingerprint on 6.0+, you may try it out
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...virtualgesture

[Geoff Stuart]

Welcome to Android Central! First, go to Settings>Security and see what happens if you Clear Credentials. If that doesn't help, then try removing your fingerprints from memory, then set up the fingerprint unlock again.

On 6.0.1 10/1/16 update, Settings>Security is no longer present. I went into Settings>Lock Screen and Security (is this what you meant?) but there is no entry for Clear Credentials.

I have removed and reset fingerprints several times and since the October update, it rarely works, maybe 5% of the time. It's a great feature but useless if it doesn't recognize me.

Would you please try it again on the same Android version and update these instructions?
Thanks.

[Geoff Stuart]

Welcome to Android Central! First, go to Settings>Security and see what happens if you Clear Credentials. If that doesn't help, then try removing your fingerprints from memory, then set up the fingerprint unlock again.

And I am not using any 3rd-party launcher.

[B. Diddy]

On 6.0.1 10/1/16 update, Settings>Security is no longer present. I went into Settings>Lock Screen and Security (is this what you meant?) but there is no entry for Clear Credentials.

Is there an Other Security heading in that menu? Like with the S7? Device Security - Samsung Galaxy S7 edge User Guide

Sorry, but I don't have an S6 with Marshmallow. I'm just suggesting things that most (if not all) Android devices have -- but different phones may have these items in different menu locations. And some manufacturers or carriers block certain features, for whatever reason.

[Geoff Stuart]

Is there an Other Security heading in that menu? Like with the S7? Device Security - Samsung Galaxy S7 edge User Guide

Sorry, but I don't have an S6 with Marshmallow. I'm just suggesting things that most (if not all) Android devices have -- but different phones may have these items in different menu locations. And some manufacturers or carriers block certain features, for whatever reason.

There is an entry called Other Security, and it contains Clear Credentials--which is grayed out so I can't press it.

[B. Diddy]

Just to be clear -- your issue is that your fingerprint sensor never seems to recognize you, is that correct? This is a somewhat older thread, so I just want to make sure your issue isn't different from the original post.