Is a Fingerprint Scanner Update Possible?

[Rick_Moli0212]

While the fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy S7 is great, one key disadvantage it has compared to iPhones and other flagship Android devices is that the device needs to be awake for the fingerprint scanner to be used. On phones like the LG G5 and iPhone 6s, placing one's finger on the scanner while the phone is off will open the phone straight to the home screen.

Can anyone tell me, is this a hardware feature or a software feature? If it is a software feature, then is it something that could be added in a firmware update? I'm curious.

 

[Almeuit]

This is a software feature. Samsung simply doesn't have it active unless the phone is awake.

I personally have no issue with it since I just press down when I put my finger there and it pops open.

 

[Rick_Moli0212]

I have no issue with it either. I was simple wondering if it was something they might add someday.

 

[SpookDroid]

It's definitely software. And I think someone got it done on an S6 I believe? Didn't fare well because the phone was kept awake all the time and they ended up with wrong reads that resulted in phone lockdowns from too many wrong fingerprint unlock attempts.

But while not 'as fast', you can still press and keep your finger on the home button and that will turn on the screen AND unlock it in about a second.

 

[rdandy5875]

Not sure how it works on those phones with no button press, but I'd rather NOT have the phone constantly "looking" for a fingerprint. Does it use any battery when not in use?

 

[Rick_Moli0212]

Not sure how it works on those phones with no button press, but I'd rather NOT have the phone constantly "looking" for a fingerprint. Does it use any battery when not in use?

My guess is that, since the feature is so commonplace, the extra power usage would be practically negligible.

 

[TJA3500]

One quick press on the button will take you to the lockscreen. Press and hold for about a second and it will take you to the home screen.
If you are already on the lock screen, you only need to touch the button instead of pressing it.
I actually like the way it works because a lot of times I just need a quick glance at the lock screen.