S5 Fingerprint Scanner: Easy one hand use

[anon(52425)]

I love my S5, I really do. But the fingerprint scanner is awful. I finally deactivated it today and moved back to pattern unlock. Maybe Samsung can tweak it a bit and send us an update? Until then, I am gonna forget about it entirely.

 

[daveup2bat]

Finger print scanner is not that reliable, it typically takes a few swipes on average for it to recognize, the iPhone 5S is a much better technology, I think Samsung needs to steal that tech or do something similar, that's something Apple got right and Samsung needs to work on. I am using the 4 digit pin just to avoid the hassle.

 

[neiljay6]

[video]https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxLR2kHQ34iHa3hrMWdnaHNkTHM/edit?usp=sharing[/video]

Easy as squezzy!! As you can see the one time it didn't work my finger was to far to the left. Just be patient and practice with it. muscle memory will take over quickly

 

[here4kids]

I have seen many reviews claiming that it is nearly impossible to use the fingerprint scanner one handed. I have successfully setup the scanner with both my thumbs and my right index finger. When I setup my thumbs, I just scanned my thumb over the sensor sideways (the natural position of your thumb when holding the phone one handed). Now whenever I unlock my phoneI just do a quick swipe down with my thumb and it work 90% of the time.

When it doesn't work is when I am not covering the entire home button with my thumb.

Just thought I would pass that along....

thanks! my thumb now opening it first or second try; one handed.

 

[Cobravision]

Now that I do the thumb rest and swipe technique, I am having 90+% success on the first try and 100% by the third. Haven't had to type in my password since.

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

I tried multiple times to get this to be reliable. Maybe I'm just picky, but if it's not 90%+ first time success it becomes a hindrance. That being said, even training it with my thumb sideways holding it the exact way I would one handed, I could only get maybe 20% first time success. That, combined with not being able to use a PIN as a backup was just not for me.

I'm glad others have gotten it to work successfully and more reliably than I did.

 

[neiljay6]

Did you try it like how it showed in the video kevin?

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

Did you try it like how it showed in the video kevin?

Yep.

 

[anon(52425)]

I tried multiple times to get this to be reliable. Maybe I'm just picky, but if it's not 90%+ first time success it becomes a hindrance. That being said, even training it with my thumb sideways holding it the exact way I would one handed, I could only get maybe 20% first time success. That, combined with not being able to use a PIN as a backup was just not for me.

I'm glad others have gotten it to work successfully and more reliably than I did.

Same here. Gave this a shot and it was still more annoying than useful. It's nice to use when using private mode, but for daily and constant unlocking, I have to pass on it.

 

[tomothy94]

I do the sideways thumb thing and agree that using pressure helps tremendously, i have registered my thumb 3 times from all different angles and having just unlocked the screen 15 times and it unlocked 1st time every time! Pretty pleased now, i would suggest applying more pressure than you first think is necessary. Don't just brush it, press down slightly too. encompass the sensor with your thumb.

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

I do the sideways thumb thing and agree that using pressure helps tremendously, i have registered my thumb 3 times from all different angles and having just unlocked the screen 15 times and it unlocked 1st time every time! Pretty pleased now, i would suggest applying more pressure than you first think is necessary. Don't just brush it, press down slightly too. encompass the sensor with your thumb.

Yep did all that. After all that it's just easier to type a PIN.

 

[tomothy94]

Sorry I think I am misunderstanding, how is it easier if it works? Setting it up the scanner with my thumb took about 2 minutes and since then providing i apply a reasonable amount of pressure when unlocking, it works really well. I wouldn't give up on it yet, maybe check your thumb isnt dusty or anything (i have never had such clean fingertips until I had this phone haha)

 

[katmandoo122]

Here's one video (from an AC user):

Here's another video (forward ahead to ~2:19):

I have no problem with my fingers unless I just got done eating KFC.

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

Sorry I think I am misunderstanding, how is it easier if it works? Setting it up the scanner with my thumb took about 2 minutes and since then providing i apply a reasonable amount of pressure when unlocking, it works really well. I wouldn't give up on it yet, maybe check your thumb isnt dusty or anything (i have never had such clean fingertips until I had this phone haha)

Just re-enabled it to test again. One handed thumb swiping works 50% of the time for me. Two handed swiping using the index finger of my other is much better, but defeats the purpose IMO.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[Cobravision]

The fingerprint scanner is a huge thing now that I got it to work consistently with one hand. It's waaay faster than the face unlock I was using plus much more consistent AND works in low light situations. In fact, finger unlocking is so painless that I downgraded the lock delay from 30 minutes to 10 minutes.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[ElectroWiz]

I'm in the same boat as you. I registered my index finger, did a alternate password, soon after my kids wanted to play and puff, I forgot my alternate password. Anyone one know how to reset the alternate password after registering your finger print?

 

[Cobravision]

If you deregister all of your finger profiles, it will delete your password and ask for a new one when you re-register a new one.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[bembol]

I cannot seem to get my thumbs to work, index was easier but I will only use it when the S5 is docked in my coupe.

 

[John Nicastro Sr]

It's not a software issue - waiting a couple seconds probably let you slow down - you can't rush it - you must swipe down with your finger centered over the sensor. If it not in the same position as the registered swipe then basically you are providing a finger read the phone that is not registered.

The more you do it the better you'll get.

 

[smooth4lyfe]

You don't have to swipe str8 down to get it to work...I unlock my phone one handed easily with both thumbs
If you swipe your finger down a little bit to the side (at 2:00 from a clock perspective) it should still recognize and unlock, you can do this easily with one hand