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Samsung: Add a Fingerprint for Screen Unlock

Trying to unlock your Samsung phone with your fingerprint but the option in Settings stays greyed out? Samsung always requires a backup PIN, password, or pattern before the Fingerprints menu becomes available. Without that secondary lock set first, you cannot enrol a new fingerprint at all.

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Step 1 of 5: Tap on **Settings**

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Tap on Settings

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Android 11 · One UI 3
Add a Fingerprint on Samsung – One UI 3: step 1 – Tap on Settings
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Samsung

Add a Fingerprint on Samsung auf Samsung

Fingerprint unlock speeds up daily use, but Samsung always treats it as a secondary method only.

Before you can enrol a print, the phone needs an active pattern, PIN, or password as a fallback lock. This backup lock kicks in whenever the sensor fails to read your finger, after a restart, or once too many failed attempts trigger a temporary lockout.

To add a fingerprint, open SettingsBiometrics and securityFingerprints. Enter your current pattern, PIN, or password to confirm it is you. Then tap Add fingerprint and follow the on-screen instructions, lifting and placing your finger repeatedly until the sensor captures the full print.

If the Fingerprints menu stays greyed out, no secondary lock is set yet. Go back, choose a pattern, PIN, or password first, then return to the biometrics menu to continue.

Screen protectors, wet fingers, or a dirty sensor area are the most common reasons enrollment stalls midway. Clean the sensor and your finger, then restart the enrollment from the same menu.

Frequently asked questions

Samsung requires an active backup lock before it lets you register a fingerprint. Go to SettingsBiometrics and securityFingerprints and set a pattern, PIN, or password first, then the fingerprint option unlocks.

Compatible devices

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Android 11 · One UI 3

No compatible devices are listed for this version.