Samsung Galaxy S5 Guide

Galaxy S5 Finger Scanner

galaxy_s5_finger_scannerUpdate 1: 4 new sections were appended.

Galaxy S5  finger scanner is not a surprise to anyone in tech world.

If you own iPhone 5s, LG G2 or HTC One Max, you probably are using finger scanner now.

Actually, as early as in 2011, Motorola already equipped Atrix 4G with a fingerprint scanner. Of course, it was not found in subsequent models due to lack of acceptance from consumers.

So, what does make Galaxy S5 Finger Scanner unique?

As that in most other smartphones, finger scanner in Galaxy S5 can unlock your phone instantly by overriding other security settings, for example, pattern lock, PIN or passcode lock.

This is not new. Atrix 4G could already do this in 2011.

But Galaxy S5 finger scanner goes one step further by integrating with Samsung services and even third-party services (e.g., PayPal).

This is a big deal, and it makes Galaxy S5 finger scanner very unique. Remember, Apple’s Touch ID is only integrated with Apple’s own stores (e.g.,  iTunes store, App store and iBooks store). There is no third-party support at all.

Because Galaxy S5 finger scanner is integrated with Samsung account, you can use your fingerprint instead of entering your Samsung account password when purchasing contents with Samsung services (Samsung Hub).

You may be not impressed, because there are still very limited contents from Samsung Hub. Samsung account is not as useful as an Apple ID.

Galaxy S5 finger scanner is also fully integrated with PayPal, one of the most popular online payment systems.  Now you can make faster and more secure payments via PayPal with the swipe of your finger.

This PayPal third-party support of Galaxy S5 finger scanner makes your online order very easy and secure.

Another unique feature of Galaxy S5 finger scanner is unlocking the private mode. You can keep some documents, videos and photos in private mode so that only your fingerprint can unlock them.

This will surely add some security to some of your private files.

Will Galaxy S5 Finger Scanner cause privacy issues?

Whenever fingerprint info is collected, we intuitively may concern about the privacy linked to such biometric identity info.

Samsung makes it clear that all fingerprint info is only saved locally. So the security of your fingerprint info depends on the security of the device, Galaxy S5. The privacy is under your hands, not Samsung’s.

As Samsung  probably does not make copies of your fingerprint info, the privacy concern on Galaxy S5 finger scanner is not as big as that for iPhone 5s.

Very likely, Samsung does not save the fingerprint images as well. As Apple did, Samsung probably saves some sort of mathematical representation of your fingerprint in your Galaxy S5. This is different from your fingerprint image.

As such encryptions are one-way, very unlikely, your fingerprint image can be reverse-engineered.

galaxy_s5_finger_scanner_register_fingerprintHow many fingers can I register for Galaxy S5 Finger Scanner?

Galaxy S5 finger scanner allows you to register up to 3 fingerprints.

Does Galaxy S5 Finger Scanner make you safer?

Finger scanner adds one additional layer to protect some private data on your S5, and makes it a bit easier to access you phone in a secured way.

Using fingerprint for online purchase is very likely safer than typing password, especially when you are using  a public WiFi.

So far, there are no proven methods to crack the fingerprint info (reverse engineering fingerprint info to fingerprint images).  In the worst scenario, if it is cracked or stolen, you can simply de-register your fingerprint info with PayPal or other third-parties.

In short, Galaxy S5 finger scanner will very likely give you more protection and convenience.

How to use Galaxy S5 Finger Scanner?

To use Galaxy S5 Finger Scanner, you need:

  1. setup an alternative password.
  2. register up to 3 fingerprints.

Whenever fingerprint is required, you can use this alternative password instead of your fingerprints if:

  • you don’t  want to use fingerprints.
  • your fingerprints are not accepted by your S5 for whatever reason.

There is no easy way to reset this Galaxy S5 fingerprint alternative password. So, remember and write this password.

From Settings screen, tap Finger scanner.

If you are using the finger scanner first time, you need register at least one (up to 3) fingerprints before you can use the corresponding features:

  • Fingerprint lock. Unlock your S5 screen with your fingerprint.
  • Verify Samsung account.
  • Pay with PayPal.

galaxy_s5_fingerprint_settings-_finger_scannergalaxy_s5_fingerprint_fingerprint_manager

When registering your fingerprints, you need follow the on-screen instructions.

You need swipe your finger down from the location highlighted on the screen  to the home button.   It will ask you try several times to take a correct fingerprint. Please make sure your finger is dry.

Before saving your fingerprint info into Galaxy S5, fingerprint manager will ask you to set up an alternative password.  This alternative password can be used whenever the fingerprint is asked.

The password must be alphanumeric (a combination of alphabetic and numeric characters). If your password does not meet the requirement,  you will  be asked to give a new one.

Write down your alternative password and put it in a safe place.

galaxy_s5_fingerprint_register_fingerprintgalaxy_s5_fingerprint_alternative_password_requirement

Once one or more fingerprint is registered through Fingerprint manager, you are ready to use the 3 main features of Galaxy S5 finger scanner.

My fingerprint is not recognized by Galaxy S5 Finger Scanner, what can I do?

If your fingerprint is not recognized, you may try:

  • to ensure you are using the finger registered already.  You can register up to 3 fingerprints only. The other 7 cannot be recognized by Galaxy S5 Finger scanner at all.
  • to ensure that your fingers, the screen and the home button are clean and dry.
  • to ensure that the Home button is not scratched or damaged by metal objects.
  • to swipe your finger at a moderate speed to allow the device to recognize it, not too slowly, not too quickly.

You can always use the finger scanner alternative password when you can use fingerprints.

How to change or reset alternative password for Galaxy S5 Finger Scanner ?

The fingerprint alternative password cannot be reset through your Google account or Samsung account. The alternative password is saved locally in Galaxy S5, together with the fingerprints.

You can change the alternative password in Settings–Finger scanner–Change alternative password.

galaxy_s5_fingerprint_change_alternative_password

If you forget the alternative password, you can clear this password by de-registering all fingerprints. In other words, the alternative password will be cleared when there is no registered fingerprint info.

This is the only official way to reset the alternative password.

To de-register a fingerprint, you can enter fingerprint manager, tap the menu key (3 vertical dots), tap Deregister, then tap one of the fingerprint to remove/de-register it.

Alternatively, you can tap and hold any of the fingerprint until it is selected as shown below. Then tap the delete (dustbin) icon to de-register it.

Once all fingerprints are de-registered (removed), the alternative password will be removed automatically. So, you can register your fingerprints and setup a new alternative password again.

galaxy_s5_fingerprint_de-registergalaxy_s5_fingerprint_deregister_method_2

Fingerprint is not accepted by Galaxy S5, and I forgot the alternative password for Galaxy S5 Finger Scanner, what can I do?

In the worst scenario, your fingerprint is not accepted, and you forget the alternative password, there is NO way to reset the alternative password unless you perform a factory data reset.

If your phone screen is locked with fingerprint, and you cannot unlock it now, you can use Android device manager from your PC to unlock your S5 with your Google account.  Google put a nice guide here.

Please note, Android device manager can unlock yoru phone, but it does NOT reset your finger scanner alternative password.

Samsung provides similar functions to unlock the phone or wipe the phone with your Samsung account here.

Do you have any questions with Galaxy S5 Finger Scanner?

Please let us know them in the comment box below.

To know more about Galaxy S5, please check our Samsung Galaxy S5 features explained page.

More how-to guides , tips and tricks for using Samsung Galaxy S5 are available at Samsung Galaxy S5 how-to guides page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Twyler says

    how do you recover your alternate password in the finger print scanner? The system keeps rejecting what I know is the correct password. I wrote it down but the system keeps rejecting it.

    Reply

  4. zoey simpson says

    I’ve just bought the new s5 galaxy and I put myn and my friends finger print on it and she’s set a password and we cannot remember it locked out my phone wot can I do

    Reply

  7. Christy says

    Also I have forgotten my alternate password so can the above question be done without the alternate password?

    Reply

  8. kristian m says

    I have forgotten my alternate password but my fingerprint still works i have read that i can delete my fingerprint and my password will be reset is this true?

    Reply

  9. kristian m says

    The only options i have on android device manager are ring & enable lock and erase can anyone help pls?

    Reply

  10. abe says

    How do I change my fingerprint and alternative password? It keeps saying mine is wrong and there is no option to delete a fingerprint or change the alternative password.

    Reply

  12. Kelly Funnell (nee: Mills) says

    My fingerprint scanner has stopped working (for both prints I had saved). How do I erase the prints I have saved and create a new one?

    Reply

  13. sam says

    I just got the new s5 and set a finger scanning password but it doesn’t ask me for it when I unlock my phone. Is there something wrong?

    Reply

  15. malich says

    My cousin turned my finger print unlock off on my galaxy s5 in now when I try to turn it on it want let me click on it says administrator is off what do i do

    Reply

  17. Patti D says

    PLEASE HELP!!! I cannot remember my alternate password and when I select fingerprint it brings up screen with fingerprint scanner and above it says alternate password with X to exit. When I swipe my fingerprint it brings me back to home screen. I tried the device manager and it changed password to unlock screen but NOT the alternate password…..

    Reply

  20. Nauman says

    I want to lock my other apps contacts, folders and gallery etc in my galaxy S5 with finger lock.. can you plz help me to find out tha app in this regard…

    Reply

  21. Sisanda says

    hi my fingerprint keeps on rejecting i after several times trying then it takes.
    i dont know if the screen protector but that should be problem. please help.
    when i watch the demos on you tube it seems to easy to unlock the phone

    Reply

  22. Valentin Gadinceanu says

    Good afternoon,

    My problem about this fingerprint scanner is about the 30 seconds ban. Lets say i have to make a call, an urgent one. If i miss fingerprint 5 times in a row (by any reasons), i have to wait 30 seconds to make a call… This can be very annoying and frustrating.
    The way i see it: if i miss five times the fingerprint scanner, let me introduce the alternative password immediatly… not after 30 seconds.
    Second annoying thing: i usually keep my S5 in my pocket. I choose the fingerprint scanner because the phone was constantly unlocking in my pocket and opened different applications without me knowing it. I hate password interface – result, i choose fingerprint scanner. Problem is that in my pocket the power button activates somehow (tight pocket), consumming the five fingerptint attemps. So i get the phone out of the pocket, miss a fingerprint or two… and bang 30 seconds ban.
    This issues needs to be fixed somehow.
    If i am missing a setting, please let me know.

    Thank you.

    Reply

  23. Ben says

    I set up fingerprint scanner but was not prompted to create alternative password. Now I can’t change the unlock method without entering the alt pw. Does the s5 come with a preset alt pw?

    Reply

  24. Bjørn-Einar says

    i can only choose between pin and password as screen lock. I can’t choose the other alternatives, it says “turned off by administrator, encryption policy or credential storage” please help

    Reply

  26. Tommy S. says

    Can the Galaxy S5 be set for extra security? Use both the finger print & the password together? IE: Enter the password & then the finger scan?

    Reply

  29. Kesh says

    I have retried my fingerprint 15 time and now has gone into password mode only which I forgot. Is there any way I can go back to the fingerprint and to try it again. I don’t want to reset I have some wedding photos I don’t want to loose.

    Reply

  30. Roxanne Nalumisa says

    My Samsung Galaxy s5 constantly rejects my fingerprint and now no longer even lets me attempt it, requiring the alternative password, which of course, it does not recognize either, despite me remembering the password. Now what? Can’t even use this phone. Very disappointed in this purchase.

    Reply

  31. Lynne Stankus says

    I set up one fingerprint, but it didn’t work all the time. I used to unlock it with my gmail password, and never set up an alternative password. I got tired of having to type the password, so I went back to pattern. Now it won’t recognize my fingerprint at all. When I go into finger scanner, I don’t have the three-dot menu, so I can’t deregister my current fingerprint. Is there a default alternative password if you never set one up?

    Reply

  32. alex says

    did latest firmware update fix fingerprint login issues for you? Does the battery last longer after this update? some report that the phone feel snappier, but I am afraid to try the update myself, because of the bad experience with updating s4 before

    Reply

  33. Lwin says

    Hello, Fingerprint scanner/reader is disappeared in my Samsung Galaxy S5 so I cannot use my finger to unlock my mobile. I also could not remember my alternative password. I did try to locate my mobile with Android device manager but Google cannot locate my device too. Probably I didn’t turn on internet at my mobile before locking. Please guide me how to get back Fingerprint scanner/reader on my screen. Thanks

    Reply

  34. Lwin says

    Yes, I did reboot for 2-3 times already. It’s very strange for me that as far as I understand some devices lost the Fingerprint scanner/reader as users attempts it several times. But, for my case I didn’t attempt it several times. Also I didn’t notice the disappearance of Fingerprint scanner/reader instantly as I didn’t use my mobile frequently in a day. I have checked folders in my phone at my PC to back up the files and photos but no folders appear in the device too. So, I really don’t know what is going on with my Samsung Galaxy S5.

    Reply

  35. misha says

    So, I read through all of this, and it didn’t answer my question. I know you can register 3 sets of finger prints, but the last time I tried to register a separate set of finger prints it didn’t accept mine nor my boyfriends finger prints. I even activated my Samsung account with the fingerprint scanner. My question is, can you use two sets on fingerprints at the same time? If so, how do I do this?

    Reply

  38. bonnie says

    finger scanner not responding because I have a otter defender cover which, I guess, makes the swipe over the home button too short? looking for a solution so I don’t have to use password code and can continue to use a protective cover.

    Reply

  39. Frank says

    Phone locked and asking for alternate password which I have forgot. Not showing fingerprint sensor.
    How do I make the phone show the fingerprint scanner so I can unlock the phone ?

    Reply

  40. Cristiann420 says

    “An error has occurred with the finger print sensor. If this message appears repeatedly, restart your device.

    Does Not Allow Me To Use THE Finger Print For Lock Screen OR Does Not Let Me Use THE Private Mode .

    Reply

  41. Gavin says

    If you’re trying to change your type of phone security from a fingerprint to a pattern do you also need the alternative password?

    Reply

  42. Vishal says

    My mum’s galaxy s5 got stolen. Fingerprint and password was enabled but she didn’t load any app to track the phone. Can samsung track her phone using serial number? Or can anyone use her phone by doing factory reset, creak etc etc ???

    Reply

  44. T Star says

    How do I disengage the integration of the fingerprint scanner from other applications? I only want it to unlock my phone, not other apps.

    Reply

  45. Joshua Sykes says

    My friend has a galaxy 5s but the finger scanner app is not on his phone…..how can he get the app on his phone?

    Reply

  46. Yannsi Paniagua says

    I have a message saying there was an error in the fingerprint sensor specifically “”AN ERROR HAS OCCURRED WITH THE FINGERPRINT SENSOR. IF THIS MESSAGE APPEARS REPEATEDLY, RESTART YOUR DEVICE.” of course i did soft reset, hard reset and nothing worked, backed up the phone and did factory reset and still not working.

    Reply

  47. Kris W says

    Read EVERYTHING. Trying to deregister fingerprints and forgot alt password. No one mentioned since the update, there are no dots in top right corner under Fingerprint Manager. When holding the “back” button, nothing happens either. Help?

    Reply

  48. Hailey burgess says

    My galaxy s5 will not let me use the finger scanner, everytime.i try to use it it tells me “an error has occurred if this messages shows up repeatedly reset your phone a try again” this has showed up for months.

    Reply

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