This quick guide will cover some common Galaxy Note 7 Iris scanner problems and possible fixes for owners. In addition to the already excellent and lightning-fast fingerprint scanner, Samsung added a Biometric Iris scanner for enhanced security this year. It works great, but some users are having problems here and there.
Samsung’s new Note 7 is one of the best phones ever released and packed with new features. Everything from an improved curved 5.7-inch display, larger battery, water resistance, a microSD slot for storage expansion, and of course the new eye scanner. It’s a big topic of discussion for Samsung fans, so let’s make sure it works right.
Using a secondary infrared camera located essentially on the front of the device, owners can unlock the device or verify their identity using their eyes by looking at the sensor. It’s fast and accurate, most of the time it unlocks the phone before the unlock screen is fully open, but other times we get an error.
Fingerprint scanner is becoming a feature that almost every smartphone has these days and it all works pretty well. However, after years of rumors, Samsung has taken things a step further by adding the Iris scanner. It can accurately scan more than 240 points on the user’s eye, making it much safer than any fingerprint. On top of that, Samsung claims that it cannot be faked with a photo or even a video of the user. It’s like a gadget from Mission Impossible.
After using the Note 7 for the past week and unlocking it daily with the Iris scanner, we found it to be incredibly accurate. The only downside is the two-step process to unlock the phone. Wake the screen and then swipe to unlock, then let it scan your eyes. All in one move with fingerprint scanner. Tap the home button with built-in sensor that will wake and unlock the phone all at once.
We ran into an issue during installation where the Iris scanner was not getting an accurate reading, and after 2-3 unsuccessful attempts I cleared the class covering the 5.7 inch Quad-HD display and the rest of the phone’s front. After clearing it worked instantly. This is one of the many problems that owners will face.
Galaxy Note 7 Iris Scanner Issues and Fixes
As long as you do everything right, the Iris scanner will work correctly, quickly and be enjoyable to use. We also recommend trying the “Secure Folder” option in settings, which is a safe place for anything that can be locked by an Iris. However, there are some issues you may encounter here.
Distance
Samsung advises owners to hold the phone about 10-14 inches from their face, i.e. at an arm’s length, when using the scanner. It may not work if you’re too far away or too close, but that has never been an issue for me. The phone says this as a hint during use, so most owners will get it right away.
However, if you are getting many failed attempts with the Note 7 Iris scanner or it says you need to recalibrate, make sure to keep the device at a suitable distance for optimal scanning.
Dirty Sensor
The only issues I encountered with the Galaxy Note 7 Iris scanner were due to a dirty lens or facial oils and residue from the device. The entire front of the phone is covered with glass. Namely, the screen, capacitive buttons at the bottom, camera and sensors at the top. It can get dirty while holding the phone, texting, taking it out of your pocket, or even making a call.
Everyone has facial oils and it gets pretty hot here in Las Vegas during the summer months. Fingerprints, sweat, oils or even dirt can interfere and cause the Iris scanner to fail to read. It may even ask you to make sure the phone is clean and not blocked in any way.
The only time the Note 7 Iris scanner has an issue, I’ve found it dirty. A quick wipe with a cleaning cloth, microfiber towel or T-shirt near the top left will do the trick.
poor lighting
Using an infrared camera for the iris scanner Samsung claims it can work in dark environments, and so far it has. Even in an almost dark room at night I didn’t have any problems. However, some owners may encounter problems if it is too dark or the lighting is turned off. Especially if one eye is burning more than the other. The instructions also say that very bright states can cause problems, but we haven’t noticed any yet.
Another thing is that some users may squint to see the screen if it’s dark or have poor vision, causing the screen to struggle to read and verify your iris. Keep that in mind, but we don’t see this being too much of an issue.
eyes completely closed
Speaking of dimming and not having eyes open enough, another thing is to make sure your eyes are wide open so the sensor can capture both and read your iris properly. I realized that when I looked at the screen or by chance, my eyes might not be open enough. So much so that I realized that I was opening my eyes excessively (and looking funny in public) just to make sure he could read to unlock it.
keep those eyes open
Again, the sensor only reads one Iris, so it doesn’t need a full view of the entire eye, but be sure to give it a wide-open view for a quick and accurate experience.
Too Much Movement
The only area I’ve had trouble with with the Note 7 Iris scanner, aside from a dirty and fingerprint-covered phone, is when walking or not holding it steady. It sounds obvious, but if you’re walking and wagging your arm, it may not be able to get a fast and accurate scan. This has only happened once or twice, but be aware if this is the unlock method on the Galaxy Note 7.
Typically, even while walking or sitting in a car, I was able to hold the phone well and have it unlocked in less than a second.
For the most part, the Galaxy Note 7 Iris scanner is fast, accurate and works as expected. However, if you’re getting an error here or there, or if you’re getting a lot of errors, require an alternative security method such as a pin or password, try our suggestions above. It is most likely just a dirty sensor and the phone needs to be wiped. As a last resort, we recommend that they turn to their owners. Then start over with a clean slate and a fresh scan. This should fix any remaining issues you may have. Good luck and stay here for more Galaxy Note 7 how-to guides.
