-
After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.
Fingerprint Sensor but still have to have to enter a pin?
as i understand these fingerprints are stored on devices. When you boot up for the first time the phone doesn't know who the owner is that why it asks for the pin or it could be a backup option in case your finger print is unreadable( got cut off for example)
I'm puzzled by it also. It seems in general like google treats the fingerprint as less secure than a PIN, but why worry about it only on power up? I'm not sure what makes that situation so special. It would be annoying, except that ideally your phone will power cycle only very rarely, so it's not a huge deal.
A friend was fiddling with my phone yesterday, then when they handed it back there was a lockscreen message that said something like "fingerprint scanner disabled, too many failed attempts," then I had to enter the pin. After that the fingerprint scanner started working again. Maybe if you were allowed unlimited attempts eventually the "wrong" finger might get in? Not sure.
A friend was fiddling with my phone yesterday, then when they handed it back there was a lockscreen message that said something like "fingerprint scanner disabled, too many failed attempts," then I had to enter the pin. After that the fingerprint scanner started working again. Maybe if you were allowed unlimited attempts eventually the "wrong" finger might get in? Not sure.
I can't speak for why, though I know it is something Apple requires on their devices. From what I've seen, it isn't required by Android but rather is an option in the settings, not sure if it is turned on by default. It also doesn't need to be a PIN, it appears you can use a pattern or a password.
It requires the option of a back up method in case something might happen to the finger(s) you have registered, such as a bad cut or burn on your finger could keep the phone from recognizing your fingerprint.
SiempreTuna
Android Expert
I'm almost certain there was an option to disable the PIN on startup during phone set up - the default was to have it turned on. Strangely, I can't see a way to change this setting once the phone is up and running.
If it really bugs you, I guess you could do a factory reset - though the inconvenience of losing everything on the phone and having to start over is probably worse than having to enter the PIN the few times you need to restart the phone
If it really bugs you, I guess you could do a factory reset - though the inconvenience of losing everything on the phone and having to start over is probably worse than having to enter the PIN the few times you need to restart the phone
SiempreTuna
Android Expert
Thanks for posting that, Aysui. I was pretty certain I'd seen it but it's great to have it confirmed.
Codec
Android Enthusiast
Any way to change this in settings?
Not that I can see.
Perhaps try unsetting your password and removing the fingerprints saved and then re-adding?
Codec
Android Enthusiast
Wait one minuet, you're telling me you factory reset and went to the that option of unchecking it and you still have to enter a pin?
I didn't have to factory reset. I'd read this thread before I even got the phone. So when I set up the phone the first time, I selected the option to not prompt for password on reboot.
Then I noticed later when I rebooted the phone that it insisted on a password (not fingerprint) for the first unlock.
SiempreTuna
Android Expert
That is kinda strange - why have the option if it's completely ignored 
I noticed that in regular use, I also get asked for a PIN every days or so.
I noticed that in regular use, I also get asked for a PIN every days or so.
I'm assuming it's not intended to be that way but is just a bug they haven't ironed out.That is kinda strange - why have the option if it's completely ignored
Yikes! That hasn't happened to me. I wonder if my experience is typical or if yours is.
Codec
Android Enthusiast
Only for the first?
Yes. Just to be clear, I mean this:
1. Reboot phone
2. Must enter password
3. Screen locks
4. Unlock with fingerprint
5. Screen locks again later
6. Unlock with fingerprint
7. Reboot phoen
8. Must enter password
9. Screen locks
10. Unlock with fingerprint
That's what's happening for me.
By the way, I filed a bug report on this, and they're saying it's working as intended:
https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=192590
Apparently if you select to prompt for a password, the OS itself won't even load until you enter a password (kind of like a BIOS or EFI password on a computer).
https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=192590
Apparently if you select to prompt for a password, the OS itself won't even load until you enter a password (kind of like a BIOS or EFI password on a computer).
Interesting. I'm guessing that the password on your phone is used to help encrypt the phone, as a part of the encryption key. This is why it needs the password after startup, so the phone can decrypt the data.
Totally makes sense, but the dialogue when you set up the phone is extremely misleading.
dumbledore78
Newbie
I think the reason your phone asks for your pin when you reboot is because you have your data encrypted.
You must have selected the option in the initial setup. I don't think there is a way to turn it off now either.
You must have selected the option in the initial setup. I don't think there is a way to turn it off now either.
But the issue is that even if you tell your phone not to ask for a PIN, people are still having their phone ask for a PIN when they reboot. The problem appears to be that the phone always encrypts the phone -- it doesn't give you the option not to encrypt while you are setting up.
If you're bothered by this, please star the issue:
https://code.google.com/p/android/i... Owner Summary Stars&groupby=&sort=&id=192590
https://code.google.com/p/android/i... Owner Summary Stars&groupby=&sort=&id=192590