I just saw a good deal on this phone and am about to pull the trigger on it, but am creeped out by the fingerprint scanner, why on earth would anyone want such a thing? If disabling is not possible could the user tape over the nefarious thing to "disable" it? There is no way I am giving a phone my fingerprints, so this is a deal breaker for me.
memetix said:
I just saw a good deal on this phone and am about to pull the trigger on it, but am creeped out by the fingerprint scanner, why on earth would anyone want such a thing? If disabling is not possible could the user tape over the nefarious thing to "disable" it? There is no way I am giving a phone my fingerprints, so this is a deal breaker for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fingerprint scanner can be used for lots of things
Unlocking the phone instead of entering a pin
Signing into apps
Verifying payment
Its actually very useful
However you do not need to use it - You do not at any stage need to give it or record your fingerprint if you do not want to
You will find that most new phones now come with a fingerprint scanner as some apps like apple pay and banking apps may require fingerprint identification as well as a pin to avoid fraud
Hey thanks for the reply, I didnt say that fingerprint scanning doesnt have some applications, but the risks with it far outweigh any perceived momentary benefit. What happens when the fingerprint data is lost because you know it will be, its just a matter of time. The thing with fingerprints is they are not like passwords, you cant rescue your account with a security question and then change your fingerprints can you? No, once the fingerprint data is lost then that is it, your identity is compromised forever with no possible way of ever securing it again. Cell phones are just about the least secure devices you can buy today. Putting ones fingerprints into it is sheer madness and will all end in tragedy for many people I predict.
My understanding is that the fingerprint scanner button on this phone is necessary for everyday use of the phone, you cant use the phone without using the scanner. So although you may not specifically choose to store your fingerprints you can safely bet that it is scanning your prints and storing them somewhere onboard which means they are accessible to any semi skilled hacker if you lose/ misplace the phone or even just log onto the wrong "airport" wifi.
So again I ask the question, can this functionality be specifically disabled in the UI? If not then it is a deal breaker for me, I wont risk my lifetime identity when there are many many phones out there that dont have this silly ill conceived technology in them, I just happen to like motorolas, my old droid razr m is still goin strong, it just cant do all the latest google tech.
Like I said in my previous post
At no point do you need to enter record or save your fingerprint - If you don't use the fingerprint scanner then your fingerprint will not be stored!
If you are that concerned about it obviously buy a phone that doesn't have one because even if you disable it which you can do if you root the phone and muck about with the build.prop and other files - someone else can just enable it again but who cares because you don't use it and haven't stored your fingerprint so whats the problem?
Yes its theoretically possible for someone to steal your fingerprint - just watch mythbusters and they can fool any fingerprint lock by lifting someones fingerprint and doing some chemical magic to transfer it onto ballistics gel - but thats why you have two step authentication - Fingerprint and a password - much more secure
Thanks again for your continuing contributions, and apologies I must not have explained myself very well. I was hoping for a simple yes or no answer, I didnt really mean to spark a debate on this. You seem to be suggesting that no it is not possible to disable the fingerprint scanner via the UI, but it would be awesome if you could unambiguously confirm that.
And to answer your points, no I am not worried about someone making a plastic finger to hack into my phone. I dont store sensitive information on my cellphone. The worry I have is that the fingerprint scanner is likely always on and always scanning and possibly also recording the scanned biometric data, whether the user enables the feature or not. And if this is indeed the case then its possible that this data could then be exfiltrated from the phone surreptitiously. And once hackers get someones fingerprint data who knows what they can do with it, this year, next year, in ten years or twenty, hell I might even live another fifty years. The point isnt what bad things can I think of them doing today. The point is that once that important biometric data has been lost to hackers or other unscrupulous individuals then there is no way I, or anyone else, can ever secure that data ever again - for however many years I may have left here. And I am stuck with my fingerprints, I cant change them, at least not easily.
Maybe you just led a more sheltered life then me, maybe I am just ridiculously over paranoid about such things. But in my mind it seems like such a no brainer, why take risks with such monumentally sensitive data. A trade off I would be willing to make is if the fingerprint scanning can be unambiguously switched off via the UI. I think that would be enough to ease my paranoia, but it seems that is not the case.
Its a pity, its such a nice phone and 'rola's are usually so well put together.
Anyway hope that clarifies, and thanks again for your input.
memetix said:
Thanks again for your continuing contributions, and apologies I must not have explained myself very well. I was hoping for a simple yes or no answer, I didnt really mean to spark a debate on this. You seem to be suggesting that no it is not possible to disable the fingerprint scanner via the UI, but it would be awesome if you could unambiguously confirm that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no on/off switch for fingerprint scanner
It is also there for adidional gesture control - eg you can swipe the fingerprint sensor in different directions to go back, open a certain app etc
Fingerprint gestures can be disabled in the UI but not the fingerprint scanner itself
Unless you goto the security screen and select the option to record fingerprint for unlock it will not record save or do anything with your fingerprint
but to answer your question with a yes or no - the answer is no (based on stock unrooted)
I thought I would update this for the record...
I ended up opting for the G5S instead, for the extra storage, RAM etc. and it turns out that you can operate these phones without ever needing to touch the fingerprint scanner at all.
Seems like an important point which needed to be added to this conversation, for posterity.
Related
hello friends, I need to know, how much energy can be spent, the proximity sensor
using Tap Tap app.
I'm looking for the best option to unlock the screen without touching the power button
T989
Im not quite following. Whats the Tap Tap app have to do with the proximity sensor and are you wanting to keep the screen live with the app open?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk
I think he's referring to the "always on" feature, keeping the proximity sensor always working so that the phone can be unlocked by waving your hand over the phone a set number of times (without even touching the phone physically)
However, battery life would only be a small concern IMO.. I would be more worried about the durability of the sensor being constantly on.. as in, would it cease to function eventually from over usage?
Update: it seems the "always on" setting is being reported as shutting off on it's own despite settings after an extended period of time. Reports vary from ten minutes to several hours/overnight, so the amount of time before it fails to stay active is unclear.
Personally I'm not sure of that's a bug or intentional. There are a couple of logical reasons to force the auto shut off after some time
1. Security - If you're not using your phone for an extended period of time, then it should lock back up, because frankly some people are idiots. Also who would want their phone easily accessed because they took a nap or ran to the store and forgot their phone? If you're not near it, you don't need to show off the feature (which let's be honest, that's the coolest thing about it. Who wants to constantly wave their hand over their phone like a weirdo with no one watching? You're not a wizard bro no matter how many RPG's you play)
2. Sensor Durability - the app won't last long if there's people in the play store leaving ratings like "proximity sensor doesn't work anymore, even after uninstalling. Factory reset didn't fix, I'm suing you ****er!". Plus if the Dev's worth supporting he's already tested and knows that's an issue, then he or she's protecting their customers
All of this information comes from user reports in the Google Play store and various threads. I have not installed the app and do not plan to until I see consistent commenting that issues have been addressed or resolved by the Dev (and yes I will be watching)
Seems like a "show off" app and I'd like to give it a shot when I'm sure it's functional. Typically in this case I'd just install, see what happens then email the Dev. However when it comes to hardware (proximity sensor) I'm a little more cautious since my phone is running like a champ with a flawless screen..I can't risk an exchange.
Sent from my T989 hunting for Siri Connor
Just thought I would point out that, when using an AT&T Skyrocket UCLA3-based ROM, the proximity sensor turns itself off if you leave the Phone app so that the screen doesn't keep turning off if you try to pull down the notification tray
Hi Guys,
I develop fingerprint feature for Lockdown Pro, but I don't have devices to test. Could please help me test it?
Lockdown Pro topic:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2679305
I just tried it on my rooted 5x. Do I have to just click "Fingerprint" in the security options and it uses my stored fingerprints? This doesnt work ;/
When launching a protected app nothing happens when I touch the fingerprint sensor, I have to use the pattern.
Yes I enabled it in the security menu.
I'll gladly help, on the play store version only samsung fingerprints can be enabled. So i'll try this version.
I'd be happy to help, as long as you're not stealing my fingerprints
same here, I enabled fingerprint in the menu but it doesn't seem to do anything. When I go to a screen where it requests my PIN, i can touch the fingerprint sensor and get a vibration (telling me that it read my fingerprint) but nothing happens in the app
same here, enabled fingerprint feature in the menu and yet it doesn't work. After being asked for PIN I've touched my fingerprint sensor and got vibration ( it did read my fingerprint) but it seems like the app didn't notice it.
So far it works, but some apps FC when you lock them. Will test it further now, it looks promising though cheers!
After more serious testing, it seems like it was just the app screwing up, everything works smoothly.
No problems, if you need more testing just let me know. Im on the purenexus rom btw, not stock. But doubt that it makes a difference. The only thing is it seems that i cant unlock it to pro anymore. Did so yesterday with the free IAP redeem code now google says error processing. Reflashed to clean install today though. Guess i should've backed up. But its np, great app and keep the nice work up!
Is it safe??
Installed the new version of this apk. So far tested it with Google Photos. Works flawlessly
Suddenly the fingerprint scanner became less responsive the past few days. Then today it's just stopped working. Restarted, cleared fingerprints, restarted and system could not find scanner and bring it to support. Another restart and I was able to add fingerprints, but it still does not unlock the phone.
Any thoughts?
I'm done with LG too. V10 dead. G7 thinq dying. DONE!
Hey guys, I'm actually a Pro! I repair phones all day everyday and the G7 is my daily, my fingerprint scanner actually quit working and I replaced it, and it works totally fine now. I believe it is a manufacturing defect, but LG is a **** company and they don't own up to stuff like this. I love my G7, but I wish they handled things better. If you can send it in on warranty, otherwise replace the fingerprint scanner. Any local shop should be able to to do it 60-80, Mobile Defenders has OEM ones. Different colors work Fina as well. I have a pink ok on my blue boy. It's dope. Only real issue I've had, that and my battery is starting to get mediocre
I'm in the same boat. A reboot does the trick, but it's sooo annoying. Wish LG would own up and fix it.
Only it's not an issue because of the millions of g7s that have no problems.....
Issemann said:
I'm in the same boat. A reboot does the trick, but it's sooo annoying. Wish LG would own up and fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No issue with fingerprint scanner....
Excuse my bad english....
It happens to me sometimes but is due to some apps installed out of google play. In my case the solution is just to uninstall the app or the apps and then reboot the phone. It works for me in 100% of cases.
Some other cases i can just install them again and the fingerprint scanner is working with that app.
pmoral said:
Excuse my bad english....
It happens to me sometimes but is due to some apps installed out of google play. In my case the solution is just to uninstall the app or the apps and then reboot the phone. It works for me in 100% of cases.
Some other cases i can just install them again and the fingerprint scanner is working with that app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which apps gave you problems?
Issemann said:
Which apps gave you problems?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Always the cracked ones. Not all the cracked apps but NOT the apps from google play.
I meand that is like if the apps i donwload from that web sometimes block the fingerprint.
And most of the times is just inmediately.
I dont usually install those cracked apps but i download a few photo and video editing tools.
Mine "fixed" itself after about a week. It may have been an app or an update. But it works fine again.
Solution to fingerprint not responding | Dead | Suspected Hardware Issue
OnceAMatrixMan said:
Suddenly the fingerprint scanner became less responsive the past few days. Then today it's just stopped working. Restarted, cleared fingerprints, restarted and system could not find scanner and bring it to support. Another restart and I was able to add fingerprints, but it still does not unlock the phone.
Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, after lot of investigation, the problem is with the fingerprint's "activity". It just stops working which will cause it to not show up in the menu and more headaches around other apps relying on it.
The possible solution to this is:
Download activity launcher or any app that can extract the activities running in your phone.
find: 'FingerprintASM' and 'FingerprintAuthenticator' under 'all activities' from the drop-down menu on the top
Tap on each to run it.
Restart the device.
Thank me later once done. :good:
Tried it a few times, but fingerprint only works about 75% of the time event after trying this. In fact it's getting worse. Maybe it's hardware...
OnceAMatrixMan said:
Suddenly the fingerprint scanner became less responsive the past few days. Then today it's just stopped working. Restarted, cleared fingerprints, restarted and system could not find scanner and bring it to support. Another restart and I was able to add fingerprints, but it still does not unlock the phone.
Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have very similar problem. Fingerprint works in random situation but many times it does not work. Looks like fingerprint ceases to be active.. maybe its firmware problem. LG probably do not care about it.. but I see many LG users haves this problem.
I had an issue with mine when I first got it. The back plate had been removed and glued back on. It was slightly open on the top, which made the fingerprint sensor move away from the connection on the back of the phone. The sensor was mostly unresponsive until I sealed it back up. Not sure if this pertains to your problems, but I figured I'd share.
For the Repair Pro!
das_webos_transformer said:
Hey guys, I'm actually a Pro! I repair phones all day everyday and the G7 is my daily, my fingerprint scanner actually quit working and I replaced it, and it works totally fine now. I believe it is a manufacturing defect, but LG is a **** company and they don't own up to stuff like this. I love my G7, but I wish they handled things better. If you can send it in on warranty, otherwise replace the fingerprint scanner. Any local shop should be able to to do it 60-80, Mobile Defenders has OEM ones. Different colors work Fina as well. I have a pink ok on my blue boy. It's dope. Only real issue I've had, that and my battery is starting to get mediocre
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question for the repair guy! My G7 Thinq fingerprint scanner stopped working. I tried to add my fingerprints again with no luck. The phone "buzzes" when I touch the sensor and the screen displays "Place your finger on the center of the fingerprint sensor." Sometimes I get "Sensor needs to be cleaned"
Stepped through some other suggestions and did a "hard reset/wipe of the phone", no joy. Will replacing the fingerprint sensor would effect a repair? I would hate to go to the repair shop, pay for the replacement, and it still not work.
Thanks in advance
One possible quick fix
I noticed in a tear-down video that the fingerprint sensor uses touch contacts for signal transmission (as opposed to being a plug-in contact). I pressed on the area about where it is located, just under the flash and IR, and now it works! If you've dropped your phone a few times it might cause this as the back is glued on and the contact area could pull away from the glue (just a theory). I think I will try to heat it up and press down on it some more for good measure.
Update:
This approach does get it working again but the effect is not long-lived. Tried it with heating but again it is not permanent. Alas.
Surf Excel said:
So, after lot of investigation, the problem is with the fingerprint's "activity". It just stops working which will cause it to not show up in the menu and more headaches around other apps relying on it.
The possible solution to this is:
Download activity launcher or any app that can extract the activities running in your phone.
find: 'FingerprintASM' and 'FingerprintAuthenticator' under 'all activities' from the drop-down menu on the top
Tap on each to run it.
Restart the device.
Thank me later once done. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have these activities in the Android 10 ROM. When I activate some others it throws an error that seems to indicate the hardware is missing.
It's newly ordered and it seems connected ok, same position as original, checked without cover too, just doesn't work. Perhaps incompatible hardware or faulty?
activity launcher did not work on my LG Q stylus plus !!!
Surf Excel said:
So, after lot of investigation, the problem is with the fingerprint's "activity". It just stops working which will cause it to not show up in the menu and more headaches around other apps relying on it.
The possible solution to this is:
Download activity launcher or any app that can extract the activities running in your phone.
find: 'FingerprintASM' and 'FingerprintAuthenticator' under 'all activities' from the drop-down menu on the top
Tap on each to run it.
Restart the device.
Thank me later once done. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
activity launcher did not work on my LG Q stylus plus !!!
OpenMinded said:
I don't have these activities in the Android 10 ROM. When I activate some others it throws an error that seems to indicate the hardware is missing.
It's newly ordered and it seems connected ok, same position as original, checked without cover too, just doesn't work. Perhaps incompatible hardware or faulty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems to appy to Android 9. 10 has some other processes.
Easiest is to look for Smart cleaning, then choose fingerprint.
It will show that the hardware is not being detected.
I tried everything to no avail.
I either got two broken sensors or another issue.
Seems the lower board might be suspect.
If anyone figures it out, please psot, so will I.
Thanks
Surf Excel said:
Solution to fingerprint not responding | Dead | Suspected Hardware Issue
So, after lot of investigation, the problem is with the fingerprint's "activity". It just stops working which will cause it to not show up in the menu and more headaches around other apps relying on it.
The possible solution to this is:
Download activity launcher or any app that can extract the activities running in your phone.
find: 'FingerprintASM' and 'FingerprintAuthenticator' under 'all activities' from the drop-down menu on the top
Tap on each to run it.
Restart the device.
Thank me later once done. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My friend 100 thanks after 1 month and hours to search finally i make it
Hi,
I find the Smart Lock (using Trusted Places) to be very buggy..
Sometimes I find that the Smart Lock just stops working when I'm at my desk.. Whatever, so I try and re-enable it, but I'm never able to easily re-enable it. I follow the same process, but the lock screen doesn't have the unlocked padlock. Rebooting the device made it work, and I also got it to "work" by toggling "On-body detection", and then going back to "Trusted places" (or some odd combination of adding a 2nd Trusted Place). It's a bit frustrating..
It's also not clear to me how to enable the "Trusted places" option. For example, the "On-body detection" option has a toggle to enable it. The "Trusted places" screen has no button/toggle. I tap on the big tile/graphic of the "house with the 4 dots linking to the phone", and I believe that's how you kickstart it?
Lastly, in the Trusted Places screen, it has a note at the bottom saying:
"Your device will stay unlocked for up to four hours..."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So according to that, it expires at 4 hours? However when I wake up I notice that it's still active..
I have a similar issue were at random the smart lock will just not work and I have to log back into the phone, even finger print option not available. Basically same as if I was to restart the phone. The feature is still enabled so don't need to re enable! I was hoping that getting onto a pixel this garbage will stop happening after experiencing it on my old op6t but as of now the pixel works worse then op.
thisguy159 said:
I have a similar issue were at random the smart lock will just not work and I have to log back into the phone, even finger print option not available. Basically same as if I was to restart the phone. The feature is still enabled so don't need to re enable! I was hoping that getting onto a pixel this garbage will stop happening after experiencing it on my old op6t but as of now the pixel works worse then op.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah interesting, so you are experiencing similar issues too..
I wonder if it has something to do with the phone temporarily losing it's current location, and thus forcing a lock on the phone? Not sure..
oksureman said:
Ah interesting, so you are experiencing similar issues too..
I wonder if it has something to do with the phone temporarily losing it's current location, and thus forcing a lock on the phone? Not sure..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would think but I have my watch connected to it as well both wearos or fitbit sense and same issue with smart lock, so not just location limited.
Noticed the same problem here. My old device I just used the rear finger print scanner, it was instant on and in, with the Pixel 6 Pro the finger print reader is neither in the best place or the quickest, and if you are in a dark place and don't aim properly, its a blinding light! So I thought at least at home I can use smark unlock. Worked fine yesterday, today it wouldn't stay unlocked. All settings appeared okay, my address was shown as a trusted place, I loaded maps so it get my location (it was already showing me at home anyway), but just not working.
I then removed my trusted place, readded, exactly the same address from the pinpoint on the map was shown, and it is working again.
I took the 4 hours to mean that after 4 hours you would need to sign in again once, then you get another 4 hours of smart unlock.
Just a buggy piece of Google software I guess.
Honestly I don't think I've ever had Smart Lock that really worked on ANY of my android phone. It works when it wants to.
Smart Lock has been janky since original pixel and the nexii before that.
Followed this guy for a while very interesting videos ,but one thing stick out on this one at around 10 mins on ,if you have to have a new screen fitted fingerprint stops working ,until you use fingerprint recalibrate tool which Google provides on line .Just wondering is this could be used to recalibrate finger print sensors for those having issues,tap post for video
Just to add my FP works fine so not willing to risk trying this ,but some one having issues it could be the answer
combat goofwing said:
Just to add my FP works fine so not willing to risk trying this ,but some one having issues it could be the answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The calibration tool, by the looks of it, only tells the system that the new module is verified (by the user). This is because the phone, strictly speaking, doesn't know much about the (black box) fingerprint reader. The reader itself just sends its "signature" (most likely a serial number or something similar), how many fingerprints are registered, and the phone can request a read (which either returns recognised, not recognised, or faulty/impartial read), or a registration.
Simply said, the phone does not have access to the raw fingerprint data, for security reasons. But this can mean that if someone replaces the FP reader with one that has different fingerprints loaded, they could abuse that and unlock your phone with their own finger. By disabling the FP reader when an unknown signature is detected (i.e. you, or someone else, replaced the screen), the user is notified about the change, much like the warning screen during boot if your bootloader is unlocked.
The calibration tool, as such, is the user's way of telling the OS that yes, you've authorised this replacement. It shouldn't make the existing FP reader better or worse.
Ok wasn't sure how it worked just thought it might be worth a try for those having FP issues
As far as I know, Google already said that the calibration tool won't help you get a better result, it's just and solely for people that replace their display and want a functioning FP scanner again (without the tool the phone doesn't recognize the new FP reader of the new display).