S21 Ultra Biometrics Issues (SOLVED)

[AlexOfOz]

Hey folks, I've recently moved from a city out to a  country region which meant shifting from an iPhone to Samsung for decent mobile coverage. Is the performance of the Biometrics really this bad on these devices? 

*** UPDATE - this is now fixed for me in both regards! A facial scan with a plain background so it is of high contrast to my face & turning on Touch Sensitivity to work with my screen protector was all that was needed! ***

On the iPhone I never had issues with facial or fingerprints being recognised but on the S21 Ultra I am entering my PIN more often than the Biometrics actually working for me.

I set up multiple fingerprints and made sure the facial details were captured in good light and I don't wear glasses or have different appearances! My fingers were dry and clean too. 

Is this just how it is for these devices & I have to just accept it in order to have coverage out here?

Is there any hope that the upcoming (when Telstra finally release it) Android 12/One UI 4 update could fix this?

[MAark24]

Me being on a s21, biometrics work perfect for me including the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and facial recognition. It might just be your device or you might need to get used to the device and the placement of your finger on the screen because you are new to samsung.

[AlexOfOz]

I'm in a remote area so getting to a service centre isn't a possibility and I doubt if SA even has one!

I did on the first day of getting this device learn to hold the phone at eye height and upright for facial recognition as well as how to place my fingers and thumb on the screen, so that's not the issue here. Even with the more relaxed facial recognition turned on it is only successful maybe 1 in 4 times!

I might just have a dud, but for both Biometrics is pretty astounding odds if that's actually the case!

[MAark24]

You might have a dud. Do you have a glass screen protector?

[AlexOfOz]

This was the issue for the fingerprints! Following @Dolgogi suggestions fixed that! 👍 Thanks!

[MAark24]

Yeah I was going to suggest that haha. Good that it's fixed. :)

[Dolgogi · Accepted solution]

Do you have dry skin, by any chance? This is known to affect the finger print reader.

Also, you can try going into Settings/Display then scroll down to Touch Sensitivity and turn that on.

Lastly, you could also try recording the same finger print twice.

Have you tried the diagnostic test in the Members App?
That will let you know if the finger print reader is functioning correctly.

[AlexOfOz]

Huge thanks to you @Dolgogi I have a screen protector on this S21 Ultra & turning on Screen Sensitivity fixed it! Fingerprints work perfectly now 👌

I had tried Diagnostic Test of fingerprint scans and it kept having errors but no more after turning on Touch Sensitivity.

I am going to retake the face image with a high contrast background after reading that helping others elsewhere on the Web.

Thanks again 👍👍

[Dolgogi]

Awesome to hear that helped 👍

[SamsungLaura]

Thanks for the solution @Dolgogi. I would also like to add on that moisture and dirt can impact how your device reads the fingerprint. So be sure to check if your device and hands are clean before scanning. :)