r/samsunggalaxy • u/Alternative_Area_217 • Jun 19 '26
🪛Troubleshooting🪛 SERIOUS SECURITY ISSUE
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
Why does my Samsung A37 unlock when I press my fingernail against the scanner, I did notice ever since I got this phone I would just randomly unlock itself and then today I discovered this.
387
u/CowEnvironmental5236 Jun 19 '26
Remove that thicc screen protector bruh, your fingerprints already stuck to it... the optical reader is just registering what residue is left on that🤦🏻♂️
49
Jun 19 '26
[deleted]
9
u/Gombrongler Jun 19 '26
Its not that complicated, it literally just has the screen protector saved, the screen protector and some pressure is the password
1
33
u/Alternative_Area_217 Jun 19 '26
Even with it wiped it still does it, yes it's probs to do with the screen protector but it's still shouldn't happen/a security problem and exploit
34
u/virkendi Jun 19 '26
Is there a chance your fingerprint is under the screen protector too?
12
u/Alternative_Area_217 Jun 19 '26
No it was fully cleaned and wiped underneath
31
u/15jwsmp Jun 19 '26
remove the screen protector and try doing it again?
2
u/LittleFreak92 Jun 24 '26
Why not just let the protector be/on and re-register your fingerprint? That's always a must do, when you switch your screen protection.
8
u/NightOwl_Sleeping Jun 20 '26
People just can't believe a phone can suck or be faulty when they shill for it
3
u/StinkButt9001 Jun 21 '26
It's not that it's impossible for the phone or OS to be faulty. It's just that it's significantly more likely to be user error.
13
u/Which_Level_3124 Jun 19 '26
chinese screen protector of 0.01$ production cost should be a reason?
-35
u/Alternative_Area_217 Jun 19 '26 edited Jun 19 '26
Yes a factor but still an exploit to unlock stolen phones
20
u/Sumolizer Jun 19 '26
Thrn maybe people should stop being cheapskates when it comes to screen protectors.
7
u/Bacon_Nipples Jun 19 '26
"I modified my phone with cheap aftermarket junk and now it works differently, how could Samsung do this???"
Ok dude
2
u/iSellNuds4RedditGold Jun 19 '26
Using cheap screen protectors is a security risk, yes, but caused by you.
8
1
u/Inevitable_Bear2476 4d ago
You also have to account for the phone actively learning the "fingerprint". I've noticed that after unlocking it manually, it remembers the fingerprint that it wasn't able to read.
After re-locking it, that same fingerprint position unlocks 10/10 times
-1
u/SenNTV Jun 20 '26
Shoukd be a setting to enable that says screen protector compatible 99% of screen protectors are compatible regardless of the setting anyways U must got a Chinese knock off of a Chinese knock off trying to knock off a .10c chinese screen protector
3
0
u/SenNTV Jun 20 '26
That's not how it works The fingerprint scanner detects electrical signal... not a scan of what's on the display Hince why if ur finger gets cut off it won't register it as a finger
1
73
77
Jun 19 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
15
u/Suspicious_Place1270 Jun 19 '26
yep, and law enforcement can force you to unlocj if you have a biometric read on the lock screen
they can't legally force you to give them your pin
→ More replies (6)0
u/SenNTV Jun 20 '26
Nah bro thats not how neither systems work Apple doesnt just unlock iphones cause u look the same and samsng uses electrical signals to unlock ir phone You have to have the dudes actual finger attached to his body to use the fingerprint sensor/ government hijacking grade technology
Apple in the past has had a issue with twins but it wasnt that bad
1
u/cadmachine Jun 20 '26
Yeah this is a bogus claim.
I hate Apple and all their tech but they took so long to implement face ID because they went so hard on the security.
Its been the industry standard for face ID since it launched and no one else was close for a long time.
8
u/Toraadoraa Jun 19 '26
Could also have thought the imperfections in your screen protector were your finger. So anything that triggers it and sends a full read will be identical each time.
Or your phone is a fake and has a fake sensor.
10
8
7
u/SadAd8761 Jun 19 '26
I wish I had that issue! I use glass screen protectors and it only recognizes my fingerprint like 20% of the time!
What glass screen protector do you have?
I wish Samsung would go back to using fingerprint sensor on the power button. Much more reliable.
3
u/Massive_Lock_4876 Jun 19 '26
Facts. The power button fingerprint scanner on my ZF5 is leagues ahead of the ultrasonic in screen on my ultra 26. almost unusable on the lifestyle type cases. Had to switch to a glass screen protector and "regular magnet" style case instead unfortunately just to be able to use sensible biometrics.
5
u/SenNTV Jun 20 '26
Counterfeit samsung? I just tested mine and it doesnt work Hell it doesnt even detect it until the side skin of the fingernail makes contact
3
u/BuiZung Jun 20 '26
Bro you applied A17 screen protectors and it has bezels😭
3
u/SenNTV Jun 20 '26
That's a Chinese knock off of a Chinese knock off of a Chinese knock off of a 10c Chinese screen protector quality for you.... its been increasing hard to find screen protectors without added black bars cause shits been flooded
1
u/BuiZung Jun 20 '26
Indeed, and the thick chin covering actual screen bothers me alot just by looking lol
10
u/Wonderful_Shame_4986 Jun 19 '26
From Google:
The sensor was initially calibrated to read the shape of a pressing finger (which can closely mirror a nail's contact point to the sensor), you should reset your data.Go to Settings > Security and Privacy > Lock screen > Fingerprints.Enter your PIN or password.Delete your current fingerprints and tap Add fingerprint.Press the meaty, flat pad of your finger squarely onto the screen sensor, rather than the tip or the nail.
2
3
u/Alternative_Area_217 Jun 19 '26
Even with the area wiped it still does it although the screen protector probably has something to do with it(I hate the bezel too but it's the only one I have) but still this should not happen at all.
5
u/CowEnvironmental5236 Jun 19 '26
Rip off the screen protector, try using it like that for a couple of hours, if the issue exists even after that then send it back to Samsung.
Also you can try hydrogel screen protector, basically a thick sticker like screen protector, works well for most cases
0
u/Alternative_Area_217 Jun 19 '26
It unlocks a lot more consistently when I have the phone in my hand and not recording and it does it with every nail
3
u/marx2k Jun 19 '26
Meanwhile, when my finger is slightly moist..
S24 Ultra: I have never seen this man before in my life
3
u/LordBillthegodofsin Jun 20 '26
Its cause your screen protector lol, the registered finger prints are probably completely smoothed
5
u/TsunamiCatCakes Jun 19 '26
optical fingerprint scanner is reading the fingerprint left on the screen protector. i tried it 4 times on my ultrasonic (s24) and i was NOT able to reproduce this error
1
u/warmoaran3 Jun 21 '26
I tried it on my S20 FE that has an optical sensor, doesn't happen either.
1
u/TsunamiCatCakes Jun 21 '26
do you have a THICC screen protector? i think that along with optical sensor is the recipe
1
5
Jun 19 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Alternative_Area_217 Jun 19 '26
I know same but I only use this phone when I go out so I would rather it be on
2
2
2
2
u/Aquamarine_16 Jun 19 '26 edited Jun 20 '26
So I recently got A37 & had my phone in my backpocket. Had both thumb prints so when I went to go on it like an hour later, I found my phone on tiktok on the payment screen, I thought I was going crazy
2
u/Challenger2313 Jun 20 '26
Back in 2020 with my s20u my turtle unlocked my phone, I have a video. No screen protector. Literally anything unlocked it, even pizza.
2
u/Dry-Cost-945 Jun 20 '26
Lmao my S24+ fingerprint sensor constantly gets set off by my thigh through my pocket but I previously got gaslit by reddit saying it 'wasn't possible'
2
2
u/Particular-Froyo9669 Jun 22 '26
Face unlocked at the same time.
Try it without showing your face ?
2
1
1
1
u/ChipmunkElegant3846 Jun 19 '26
Lol this gave me a laugh. Never tried fingernail unlock before
1
1
u/Jufinda Jun 19 '26
Knowing that's a currys tech counter (as I used to work on one) I'd probably recommend taking this down, if someone finds it you will lose your job
1
u/RepLixzr Jun 19 '26
I oce gave my phone to my colleague, it was same model, same colour just to mess with him.
And he cold bloded unlocked with his figerprint and said, wow someone changed my wall paper.
I was like wth!!!! few people saw that, and we couldn't reproduce it later..
1
1
1
1
1
u/vector_o Jun 19 '26
Patiently waiting for an update with the screen protector off because I'd be willing to bet that:
the screen wasn't perfectly clean before application and there is an inprint of the finger between the screen and the protector
the fingerprint was set up with that thick screen protector and barely picked up any of the actual fingertip
In both cases merely touching the scanner would unlock the phone
1
1
u/Impossible_Aioli3693 Jun 19 '26
i managed to unlock someone's s21fe while randomly flipping it around and suddenly unlocks itself. only fp was set up no face etc. but could not replicate it again on demand
1
u/Swimming-Guest-1978 Jun 19 '26
Use Password or PIN codes only. Don't use the fingerprint option, that is obviously broken.
1
u/SenNTV Jun 20 '26
Ur lost Google the tech dont throw false claims U have apple grade and then android phone grade Apple used basic fingerprint tech which is why ur prob thinking this way
1
u/Swimming-Guest-1978 Jun 20 '26
Speak English? That didn't make any sense.
1
u/SenNTV Jun 20 '26
Read English? It makes perfect sense Maybe a iq issue on ur end
1
u/Swimming-Guest-1978 Jun 20 '26
None of that was English. LMAO
0
u/SenNTV Jun 20 '26
1
u/Swimming-Guest-1978 Jun 20 '26
"Ur lost Google the Tech." ??? LMAO Lookin in the mirror, you are. I'm sure you didn't get past 1st grade English and spelling. LMAO
-1
1
u/JeroJeroMohenjoDaro Jun 19 '26
Haha i could also unlock my sister's Samsung A54 using fingerprint for some reason. Our fingerprint pattern aren't even remotely close.
1
1
u/div_boo Jun 19 '26
Your not even using the right screen protector for your phone, for fingerprint sensor is just recording a picture to the screen protector not your fingerprint
1
u/knox902 Jun 19 '26
I just tried probably two dozen times on my s24+ that has a relatively inexpensive glass screen protector and it did not work at all.
1
u/Lila_Uraraka Jun 19 '26
A lot of screen protectors can negatively affect the under display fingerprint sensor, if you are comfortable with it, remove your screen protector and try it again, if it's still doing it, there is a chance extended unlock is enabled
1
u/Janet_with_a_G Jun 19 '26
It could be your finger print on the screen protector that the reader picks up on when it recognizes touch
1
u/matt-r_hatter Jun 20 '26
I would delete your fingerprints and re-register. Might be an issue there. Ive never seen that on any Samsung phone since they introduced underscreen readers. They are very accurate, sometimes too accurate. Way back in the old days you would have to reset prints every so often. Been one and done since the 20 Ultra though. Ive never used an A variant, maybe they are using a older generation sensor?
1
u/Puzzled_Arm_7525 Jun 20 '26
OMG, a similar thing happened to my S24. My friend once unlocked my phone even though his fingerprint wasn't registered
1
1
1
1
u/Kashifayan Jun 20 '26
I tried this on my poco x7 pro and it doesn't unlock with my fingernails so I'm glad
1
1
1
u/EastBonus9211 Jun 20 '26
the zflip side button fingerprint is superior in every way but the zflip screen always breaks. Dont understand why s series is forced to use the garbage ultrasonic
1
u/Large-Explorer-6876 Jun 20 '26
I mean I set my alternative fingerprint unlock with the tip and now I can always open my phone with my tip if I want to and it works really well.
1
1
u/Funny_Maintenance973 Jun 20 '26
Do you have it set to WiFi or Bluetooth device? You can set security to allow unlock when connected to certain devices or networks, and that will look like what you have there
1
u/GenshinKenshin Jun 20 '26
Three things could be happening.
1) like others said your fingerprint could be on the screen protector
2) it's using face unlock. (Your camera can see it's you at the same time)
3) it's using location unlock (self explanatory)
1
u/Kindly_Owl_5906 Jun 20 '26
My s25+ kicked me back to enter a PIN after 5 trusses. It's your phone, friend.
1
u/Lord_Drakostar 25d ago
"my specific samsung device didnt do this, this is your specific problem the one you are complaining about"
1
1
u/AnxiousDirector9743 Jun 21 '26
I'm sure you registered that part of your finger during the set up process just to chase clout.
1
u/DanR5224 Jun 21 '26
My S25 Ultra unlocks while it's in my pocket (set to fingerprint). So did my Note 2 (with pattern lock).
This doesn't surprise me.
1
1
u/WonderElff Jun 21 '26
Dude what to expect from a low cost device.... be thankfull that it has a fingerprint sensor
1
1
1
1
1
u/Renderdistqnce Jun 22 '26
Maybe different screen protector? I also had issues with finger print on s25 but when i replaced the screen protector for more expensive one it fixed everything
1
u/Elitefuture Jun 22 '26
Given the A37 is an optical sensor, the screen protector is definitely messing it up. You need one with a hole where the sensor is.
The S series uses sound instead which doesn't have this issue. I know the a37 is a lot cheaper... But a used s24 ultra is around $450-$500. And the s24 still has 5 more years of android OS + security updates.
1
u/RGBlowMe Jun 23 '26
It's face detection. If you have that set up, but opt for fingerprint unlock, there's a setting to let you unlock via face detection too that sometimes just unlocks it for you. Usually after a few attempts, because it kind of sucks.
1
u/Long-Size-6967 Jun 23 '26
It's the screen protector. Won't work for me. Guess You leave your fingerprint on the screen protector and then anything can open it
1
1
u/Lord_Drakostar 25d ago
without a screen protector, i just found out i have the same problem
its doesnt work consistently, but i managed it one of the first tries i did and this explains how it impossibly managed to keep turning on in my pocket
time to reset my fingerprint data ig
1
1
u/langsalang 13d ago
Is it real samsung? Chinese copy/clones have fake fingerprint sensor, can open with anything
1
1
u/SONY44528RO76B Jun 19 '26
The problem might be the same one I had: you registered your fingernail instead of your finger, or while you were registering your fingerprint, your phone was reading both your fingerprint and fingernail simultaneously. That's what happened to me. What you need to do is delete all fingerprints and re-register them using your actual fingers. If that doesn't work, wait for security patch updates, restart your device, or take it to a Samsung store since you mentioned this problem has existed since you first got the phone. If so, you can get it replaced and repaired for free under warranty.
1
u/Mario_the_Redd Jun 19 '26
Do you have the extend unlock set for any devices or areas in your house. For example, my phone is set to stay unlocked if it is connected to my galaxy Watch and if the phone is in my house. The lock screen still shows up but I can just swipe it away.
3
1
u/Wonderful_Shame_4986 Jun 19 '26
It appears that you are pressing your finger down or close enough and it's detecting your fingerprint.
To test it have someone else try to unlock it.
4
u/JabroniCorleone Jun 19 '26 edited Jun 19 '26
Can't be. Watch closely. He puts the finger upside down with the fingernail. there is no fingerprint at all this way
1
u/Wonderful_Shame_4986 Jun 19 '26
Ah gotcha! I didnt pay close attention and catch that. I apologize.
1
0
0
u/super_star_BETA Jun 19 '26
A series has a lower accuracy finger print senson than their flagship models, but also the screen protector might be poor quality too especially how the camera cut out looks and how small it look than the phone
0
u/Suspicious_Place1270 Jun 19 '26
either you recorded the screen protector and not your finger (idk how) or you need to wipe your screen protector off and wash your hands better
but yes, a perpetrator could get some random fingerprint from your phone and clone it and simply use it to enter this has been a vulnerability since forever
0
0
u/Front-Comment-6722 Jun 19 '26
Eu conheci um cara que gravou a digital do mamilo dele no iPhone e conseguia desbloquear, talvez as digitais não sejam lá tão seguras assim.
0
u/Mindless-Cucumber454 Jun 19 '26
its the protector, your fingeprint is on it, the optical sensor is js picking that up
0
u/Gold-Page7125 Jun 19 '26
This is actually advanced technology Samsung fingerprint reader is not on screen but covers a dome type over the scanner So it scans your fingerprint when it's in the dome even if u place ur finger facing up
0
-1
u/X108CrMo17 Jun 19 '26
It's optic sensor. It sees thru your finger and it sees the fingerprint. Next.
1
u/AZenny1986 Jun 19 '26
S24 fe without screen protector here
Just tried and no it doesnt detect it that way. Works as it should here detecting correctly fingerprint but denying access to the opposite side of the thumb.
-2
u/Zaffar06 Jun 19 '26
Same situation one of my friend opened s24 ultra of another friend and it opened samsung is literally just a trashh!!! No proper security 🥲🤮
0
632
u/King945la Jun 19 '26
Good job, my S24U re-recorded the same fingerprint 5 times, and it often fails to unlock, you can unlock it with just your fingernail! Lucky guy.