Request for advice on handling Nexus Imprint issues?

[crosspatch]

Request for advice on handling Nexus Imprint issues

I know this post is a candidate for TL;DR, so if you don't like reading and helping, bow out right now and thanks anyway.

I got my 6P a few days ago. The first thing I did after getting Sprint to activate it was to add my left forefinger to Nexus Imprint. I was able to do this without a problem.

After adding that fingerprint, I installed the November Android system update. I'm not sure if this figures in at all...

After using the 6P for a few days, I found that it would only unlock successfully for me about 60 - 70% of the time. (The other 30 - 40% of the time, I'd get the double vibrate failure indicating that the fingerprint was not recognized.) So, I figured I'd delete that entry from Nexus Imprint and start fresh. Bad idea.

Now, I can't get the left forefinger entered into Nexus Imprint at all. I've tried an insane number of times, and every time, I get "Enrollment was not completed ... Fingerprint enrollment didn't work. Try again or use a different finger." What happens is that it seems to record the first attempt (i.e. the circular progress indicator adds one bar), but then, it refuses to budge...

I can usually store fingerprints from my right hand (index, middle) without too much difficulty. (Although sometimes, that also proves difficult.) And unlocking with my right index finger is working well right now. This is good, but I hold the phone with my LEFT hand and want to use that one.

My left forefinger is a bit messed up. For some reason, the fingerprint on it is not as clearly defined as my right index finger, and I have a scar on that finger as well. Before you think "That's the reason for the difficulty!", I have to ask ... why was I able to record the left forefinger into Nexus Imprint with no problem a few days ago? Also, I've been able to record that finger into my wife's iPhone 6S with no problem at all, two separate times.

I tried determining if the November update addressed anything to do with Nexus Imprint, and didn't see anything. However, navigating those "documents" is about as easy as juggling with your feet.

Google "support" (i.e. the Indian call center) has not only not been helpful, they've been detrimental. They suggested I replace the phone, and gave me a link to do so ... which does not work. They had me try safe mode, but there was no difference when I tried that (thanks for messing up all my widgets and other stuff though).

SO... My thought is that I'll try finding a 6P in a local store, and see if it works any differently than my own phone. If it's the same, then my phone isn't defective. If I can't find a 6P locally, I'll struggle into getting Google to send me a replacement, and see how that goes. If that doesn't work, I'll put this overpriced piece of crap in a drawer and forget about it.

Thoughts, suggestions...?

 

[Adamd1169]

Re: Request for advice on handling Nexus Imprint issues

Have you done a factory reset? And also I'm hoping you aren't in the US because you definitely won't find a 6p in a brick and mortar store here.
But for real do a factory reset and see if it works then. If not send it back and try on a new one. If the finger works on an iPhone it should probably work on this.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[crosspatch]

Re: Request for advice on handling Nexus Imprint issues

Have you done a factory reset? And also I'm hoping you aren't in the US because you definitely won't find a 6p in a brick and mortar store here.
But for real do a factory reset and see if it works then. If not send it back and try on a new one. If the finger works on an iPhone it should probably work on this.

Google support advised doing a factory reset as well. I wasn't about to do that, and now I'm glad I didn't. I did try a safe boot at their request, and that did no good. Recreating my widgets was fun, though.

They sent me a replacement 6P. It behaves the same as my original 6P. So, I guess my fingers are just screwy in a way that the 6P can't handle. This is really disappointing and annoying, because I've been able to make an iPhone 6 and an iPhone 6S work just fine with several of my fingers. I have no problems getting those iPhones to record or subsequently recognize my fingerprints.

So, I find it rrrrreally hard to believe that it's all my fault. It's utterly aggravating for me to read everyone else's bragging about how awesome and utterly flawless the 6P's fingerprint sensor works.

Thanks for the reply, though.

 

[Trigati]

Re: Request for advice on handling Nexus Imprint issues

I don't know what to suggest other than trying to register your fingerprints differently. I don't know if you're just trying along the tips or more along the flat part of your fingers, but if it's just the tips, it won't register properly. The more and varied surface area you can get for each finger, the better the scanner works.

I've got a pretty nasty scar on one finger and my 6P even reads that finger properly about 75% of the time; for the rest, it's 95% accuracy.

 

[kmcochran]

Why not imprint your left middle finger? Since you hold it with your left hand, this should make things easier.

Edited to add, I'm realizing that the middle finger imprint suggestion is not helpful. I'm right-handed and usually hold my phone with my left hand and use it with my right. I have my right index finger imprinted.

 

[crosspatch]

Thanks for the suggestions. I had actually tried the left middle finger. I'm also right handed, and found it awkward shifting the 6P in my left hand so I could reach the reader with the middle finger.

The sensor in general has been behaving better lately. Not perfect by any means, but usable. No idea why. I'm not doing anything differently that I'm aware of. For awhile, after deleting all stored prints, I could not even get one to successfully record, out of dozens of frustrating attempts. Now, I've been able to store several instances of my left index finger, and it usually unlocks without a problem.

I installed and used Finger Learner; not sure if it helped any though. If it has, I can't tell.

Sorry, I have not reached the 10-post "I am not a scumbag spammer" threshold yet, but here's a mashed URL:

play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.snotyak.fingerlearner