Unlocking your phone with your face or fingerprint is not only convenient, but also very secure. No more codes to remember, and nobody else can open your phone. In this guide you will learn everything about biometric security.

What is biometric security?

Biometrics uses unique physical characteristics to confirm your identity:

Both methods are more secure than a PIN, because they cannot be guessed or seen over your shoulder.

Face ID on iPhone

How does Face ID work?

Face ID uses advanced technology:

  • 30,000 invisible infrared dots create a 3D map of your face
  • Works in the dark and with sunglasses
  • Adapts to changes (beard, makeup, glasses)
  • Chance that someone else can open your phone: 1 in 1,000,000

Setting up Face ID

  1. Go to Settings → Face ID & Passcode
  2. Enter your passcode (or create one)
  3. Tap Set Up Face ID
  4. Hold your iPhone at arm's length
  5. Position your face inside the frame
  6. Slowly move your head in a circle (follow the instructions)
  7. Repeat the scan a second time
  8. Face ID is ready!

What you can use Face ID for

In Settings → Face ID & Passcode you can choose:

  • iPhone Unlock: Look at your phone to unlock it
  • iTunes & App Store: Buy apps without a password
  • Apple Pay: Pay contactless in stores
  • Password AutoFill: Log in to websites automatically

Tips for Face ID

  • Alternate Appearance: Add a second face scan (with/without glasses)
  • Attention required: Your iPhone only unlocks when your eyes are open
  • With a face mask: On newer iPhones it also works while you wear a face mask

Touch ID on iPhone (fingerprint)

Setting up Touch ID

  1. Go to Settings → Touch ID & Passcode
  2. Enter your passcode
  3. Tap Add a Fingerprint
  4. Place your finger on the Home button (do not press it)
  5. Lift your finger and place it again (repeat several times)
  6. Change the position of your finger to capture the edges
  7. Tap Continue when you are done

Adding multiple fingers

Add multiple fingers for extra convenience:

  • Right thumb (used most)
  • Right index finger
  • Left thumb

Fingerprint on Android

Types of fingerprint sensors

  • Under the screen: Press the marked area on the screen
  • On the side: Built into the power button
  • On the back: Older phones, a small recess for your finger

Setting up your fingerprint

  1. Go to Settings → Security (or Biometrics)
  2. Tap Fingerprint
  3. First set a PIN as a backup
  4. Tap Add fingerprint
  5. Place your finger on the sensor repeatedly
  6. Shift your finger slightly each time to capture the edges
  7. You are done when the percentage reaches 100%

Samsung specifics

On Samsung phones:

  1. Go to Settings → Biometrics and security
  2. Tap Fingerprints
  3. Follow the instructions

Facial recognition on Android

Note: facial recognition on Android is less secure than Face ID on iPhone, because most Android phones only use the camera (no 3D scan).

Setting it up

  1. Go to Settings → Security → Face recognition
  2. First set a PIN
  3. Hold your face in front of the camera
  4. Follow the instructions

Security advice

  • Use facial recognition on Android as an extra convenience, not as your only protection
  • Combine it with your fingerprint for better security

Biometrics for apps and payments

Banking apps

Most banking apps support biometrics:

  1. Open your banking app
  2. Go to Settings in the app
  3. Turn on fingerprint or Face ID
  4. Confirm with your PIN

Contactless payments

Apple Pay:

  1. Double-click the side button of your iPhone
  2. Look at your phone (Face ID) or use your fingerprint (Touch ID)
  3. Hold your phone near the payment terminal

Google Pay:

  1. Unlock your phone
  2. Hold your phone near the payment terminal

Password managers

Apps like 1Password and Bitwarden support biometrics for quick access to all your passwords.

Is it safe?

Fingerprint

  • Very secure: your fingerprint is unique
  • The print is stored encrypted in a secure chip
  • It is not sent to Apple/Google
  • Even if someone steals your phone, they cannot read out the stored print

Face ID (iPhone)

  • Extremely secure thanks to 3D scanning
  • Does not work with photos or masks
  • Locks after 5 failed attempts
  • Data stays on your phone, not in the cloud

Facial recognition (Android)

  • Security varies per phone
  • Budget phones: less secure (2D camera only)
  • More expensive Android phones: sometimes 3D sensors (more secure)

Troubleshooting

Fingerprint is not recognized

  • Make your finger and the sensor dry and clean
  • Do not use hand cream right before scanning
  • Add the same finger again
  • Add the finger under different conditions (wet, dry)

Face ID does not recognize you

  • Make sure there is enough light
  • Hold the phone at arm's length
  • Add an "Alternate Appearance" with/without glasses
  • Set up Face ID again if the problems persist

Can someone open my phone while I am asleep?

Face ID requires your eyes to be open. Check this under Settings → Face ID → Require Attention for Face ID.

With biometrics, your phone is both more secure and easier to use!

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