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Xiaomi

Xiaomi: Set Up Fingerprint Unlock

Setting up fingerprint unlock on a Xiaomi phone only works if you already have a Pattern, PIN, or Password configured, and MIUI asks for it before it lets you enroll a finger. If you cannot remember that unlock code, the fingerprint menu will not let you proceed at all. Many users also get confused about how many fingerprints they can add and what each one can be used for.

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

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Android 11 · MIUI
Set Up Fingerprint Unlock – MIUI: step 1 – Tap on Settings
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Xiaomi

Set Up Fingerprint Unlock auf Xiaomi

MIUI treats fingerprint data as a secondary unlock method, not a replacement for your primary security code. Before you can register a finger, the system requires proof that you know the current screen lock, so it asks for the Pattern, PIN, or Password first.

This confirmation step exists to stop someone from adding their own fingerprint to a phone they picked up without knowing the owner's code. If you never set a lock method before, MIUI will prompt you to create one as part of this same flow.

To enroll a fingerprint, go to SettingsPasswords & securityFingerprint unlock. Enter the current Pattern, PIN, or Password, then place your finger on the sensor and follow the on-screen instructions until scanning finishes.

If you cannot recall the current unlock code, this menu is the wrong place to start. Recovering or resetting device access has to happen first, otherwise the fingerprint option stays locked no matter how many times you scan a finger.

After setup, MIUI still falls back to the Pattern, PIN, or Password after a restart, a system update, or several failed fingerprint attempts. That is expected behavior, not a malfunction.

Frequently asked questions

You cannot skip this step. MIUI blocks the Fingerprint unlock menu until the current unlock code is entered, so you need to recover access to the device first through your Mi account or a factory reset before enrolling a finger.