Huawei P30 fingerprint icon is showing up on the idle phone screen

[Paul Z1]

P30 Pro - I should have mentioned that. The fingerprint does not pop up unless I move the phone.

Aaah, P30Pro is not the same device. We're discussing P30 in this thread but good to hear that it's not showing up on the Pro model. I decided to go for P30 as I like the size of that model and the audio jack socket, P30Pro is just too big for me. It was also about 260EUR (300USD) more expensive than P30 here in Czech Republic.

Anyone else with P30 fingerprint icon issue? I want to validate if it is a global problem or perhaps a batch that was sent to Czech Republic might be impacted? It's a bit annoying as when something pops up on an idle screen, my first thought is that it is an incoming call or other notification, and it's quite annoying.

There is a thin layer of foil (protector?) on the screen, perhaps this is causing an issue as someone pointed out? Do you see that foil on the screen on P30Pro as well?

 

[Paul Z1]

I got my P30 replaced by the store yesterday (unfortunately they only had a black color on stock) and the problem does not appear on the new device!!! It looks like some of the P30's are impacted according to Czech HuaFan forum users who own P30.

 

[neil74]

My new P30 (non-pro) does this. Just assumed it was a software issue.

 

[Tsepz_GP]

Is it P30 or P30 pro? Please activate the fingerprint sensor first, and then leave the phone somewhere on the table - and watch it for around 30-40 seconds - the fingerprint icon should pop up. If not, perhaps it's indeed a hardware issue only on some of the P30s...

Got a P30 Pro here and don't have this issue.

Seems to be on regular P30.

 

[neil74]

So is this hardware then?

 

[dov1978]

The Pro comes with no pre-installed screen protector but the non-Pro does is this correct? If so I've got a funny feeling it might be that causing a false touch. Only way to tell is for someone who is taking the screen protector off anyway to test before and after.

If not that then HOPEFULLY just a software fix with an update.

 

[Paul Z1]

Based on reports I read so far in EU where the phone was available earlier (end of March), a large batch is impacted (cca. 50% of forum users reported this strange behavior). I returned the phone to a major ecommerce store with physical locations here in Prague and asked for a different color, and the new phone I got is fine! Strangely Huawei support told me on multiple occasions that it is an intended behavior! I would argue with that, though. If it was an intended behavior, time intervals would not be completely random, and all of the devices would act that way - unfortunately it's not the case. Perhaps, this can be resolved via software update, changing sensitivity of some sensors that trigger this icon on an idle display.. it could be a proximity sensor, touch screen sensor, and gyroscope of course. I am disappointed with Huawei support where they did not give me a meaningful response, even when I visited their support center in person, and presented a thread from HuaFan forum thread... they even made a phone call to the tech team (who confirmed that it's programmed that way) or they made it up just to get rid of me When I asked why half of the production batch is not impacted then, the support guy just smiled and said the only true thing that day: "I don't know". That pretty much forced me to get the phone replaced without any further investigation.

 

[Paul Z1]

The Pro comes with no pre-installed screen protector but the non-Pro does is this correct? If so I've got a funny feeling it might be that causing a false touch. Only way to tell is for someone who is taking the screen protector off anyway to test before and after.

If not that then HOPEFULLY just a software fix with an update.

just a quick comment on that - yes, P30 PRO does not have a foil / screen protector pre-installed and the issue does not affect the PRO version, however, on my other P30 (with a foil), there is no issue. Some HuaFan.cz forum members removed the foil from their P30s and it did not help.

 

[Marius M1]

I bought my P30 from Orange since they had the best offer available. Unfortunately I have the same issue with the fingerprint icon appearing when sits on my desk on random intervals. Indeed the icon appears if you lift off the phone but is this a hardware problem or software one ? Should I try and change it for this reason ?

Did somebody tried to factory reset the phone and check if this still happens ?

I feel so unlucky ... also the watch stopped working after 1.5 days

 

[Paul Z1]

There is no official answer from Huawei support on that so far - you can try to ask yourself as well. I exchanged my unit to a different one and the icon does not show up when the phone is laying down. It looks like a large batch of these phones are impacted so I guess they'll come up with something - software update hopefully (making some sensors less sensitive when the phone is idle).

 

[Marius M1]

Thanks Paul. I will try and get a replacement too, hopefully they will change it.

Could you please check your replacement version/revision ?

According to CPU-Z my phone model is ELE-L29EEA. Not sure if this is the actual version name. Today I have also updated to 124 but the issue still persists.

 

[BruceCk]

I think a software fix will tweak it, so holding off for now. My P30 turned on the dim FPS indicator randomly initially on the odd occasion while just sitting unattended, but seems to have stopped now. Mine still has the screen protector on, and I wonder if that bedding in gives false touches. There must be a light and or proximity sensor around the front camera, as covering this stops a touch lighting up the FPS indicator. Mine is also set off when squeezing the TPU case sometimes, but that is probably a movement sensor. The power used is probably as low as the AOD, as it's not firing up the actual scanner till you press on it properly.

It must have been difficult to decide when to light it up, via what sensors, so I think a tweak will fix it.

 

[Paul Z1]

There is a similar discussion on that on the Czech HuaFan forums since March 27th (official release date in the region), it's a pity there is no official statement from Huawei yet and people are not sure what to do. I ordered my phone online but collected it from a physical branch - and therefore I could return it within 2 weeks (I did not want to initiate the warranty process and loose a phone for up to a month...). I simply asked for a different color (black, as I had aurora) - I don't care about the color of the phone as long as it's not pink btw, and I have a rubber/silicone car case in blue anyway. Based on the mentioned forum post the chances were 50/50 that I will get a new device with the same issue, and luckily I got a good one. I agree with @BruceCk - there must be a fix for that so probably the best way is to wait - but please submit your concern to Huawei support (local and international one) just to bring it to their attention, otherwise it won't get a priority. They should also issue an official statement

 

[Daze507]

Hi from UK, exact same behaviour and I am not the only one.
Waiting for an official statement from Huawei at this point.

 

[sledge007]

My P30 Pro 256 GB is doing this as well....every now and then the fingerprint icon pops up for a few seconds and disappears. It's not a deal breaker but I would like it fixed one way or another.

 

[Tsepz_GP]

My P30 Pro 256 GB is doing this as well....every now and then the fingerprint icon pops up for a few seconds and disappears. It's not a deal breaker but I would like it fixed one way or another.

Okay, that is odd. Does yours have a screen protector?

Mine is the exact same model, no screen protector and I do not have this issue.

Maybe you guys need to try turning on this feature under Settings - Smart Assistance

 

[sledge007]

I found that option this morning, turned it on and haven't seen this behaviour since. Mind you I haven't watched my phone all day but I will this afternoon while I'm at work.

 

[Marius M1]

for me the issue still persists even with mistouch prevention on.

 

[Paul Z1]

This feature is ON by default, and had no effect on my P30 that eventually was returned to the store. The new one I got is perfectly fine, the feature is ON as well. Btw. I did multiple hard resets of the affected P30, applying factory settings, no apps installed, etc. and the issue persisted.

 

[Tsepz_GP]

Seems the P30 has a bit of a hardware fault then, such a shame.

This feature is ON by default, and had no effect on my P30 that eventually was returned to the store. The new one I got is perfectly fine, the feature is ON as well. Btw. I did multiple hard resets of the affected P30, applying factory settings, no apps installed, etc. and the issue persisted.

Glad your new 1 fine, enjoy it!