This year, Google has provided the return of the Nexus 5X, the smartphone that can do it all. An affordable and versatile smartphone with the latest version of Android. Users have loved the Nexus 5X and everything it has to offer, including the fingerprint scanner on the back. For those new to it, below is a quick guide on setting up and using the Nexus 5X fingerprint scanner.
Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P were announced at the end of September. Two impressive new phones from Google running the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The Nexus 5X started shipping a few weeks ago, and those with a shiny new phone might need help setting up a few things.
The Nexus 5X fingerprint reader can unlock the phone extremely quickly, make secure wireless mobile payments with Android Pay, sign in to accounts or websites and even banking apps and more. We are asked a lot of questions and here we will explain how to set them all up and even add multiple fingers if users skipped this step during the initial setup.
Also in Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which was released earlier this month, Google added native fingerprint support. This will eventually be added to the latest Samsung devices and will be great for Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P owners. Google calls it the Nexus Imprint, and it works a little differently and much faster than Apple’s TouchID or Samsung’s own fingerprint scanners.
However, almost everything is the same. Users will need to create a backup password or pin if their finger is not working, is wet, or is covered and setup takes less than a minute. It is fast, convenient and easy to use.
Above are a few extra details about the new Android Marshmallow release, but let’s get started with the fingerprint scanner and its setup. The Nexus 5X will ask users about this during the initial phone setup instructions. You can do this then, or add it later if it was omitted during installation. The video and screenshots below explain everything for the owners.
Instructions
The video below is from our implementation with the Nexus 6P, but we’re starting halfway through where we set up a fingerprint as a lock screen security measure. This whole process is 100% the same on the Nexus 5X and surprisingly it works the same way. It’s one of the fastest fingerprint scanners we’ve ever used and everyone will love it. Everything from daily use, initial setup or accuracy is better and faster than Samsung or Apple. Yes, that good.
We’ll start with the hands-on video and instructions first, then move on to the actual setup below for those who skipped this on the phone’s first boot.
As shown in the video above, users simply add a backup password, pattern or pin and then set the finger up with six taps. With Samsung it’s about 10-12 taps to learn a finger, more steps to actually set it up and it doesn’t seem to work very well. My Note 5 is very accurate, but Nexus 5X and 6P could be better.
However, if you skipped all this during installation and now need or want to add it as a security measure, let’s do it now.
Start by going to settings by pulling down the notification bar twice, or swiping once with two fingers and tapping the gear-shaped settings button in the top right. Here are screenshots and full instructions for beginners or experts. It’s really easy.
- >
- choose
- Press continue, then set up a backup
- Follow the steps to enroll a fingerprint
- Add more fingers or add a finger from your other hand after you finish
- Nexus Imprint learns as you use it and gets more accurate over time
Personally, I added both my index fingers to be able to easily unlock the phone with both hands. And of course, owners can add other fingers as well, but given that the scanner isn’t on the front, the index finger makes the most sense, where the thumb would come in handy, like the Galaxy S6 or iPhone.
After setting up a fingerprint, add a credit/debit card to Android Pay and start using NFC and wireless mobile payments. Android Pay is accepted in thousands of places, and all you have to do is tap your phone, get a fingerprint to verify the method is secure, and you’ve paid for items over the air. Go try it today.
It’s excellent that Google has embedded the browser in the Nexus 5X. Users’ index fingers are placed perfectly while holding the phone, without having to learn a different way to hold or use the device, simply touch the sensor and unlock your phone instantly. It is extremely fast, typically running in less than half a second.
Before using the fingerprint, Google prompts for the backup password, passphrase, or passphrase on first use after reboot. Then owners can continue to use fingerprints until they reboot. Basically, make sure it’s something you’ll remember. That’s it and you’re done. Stay tuned for more details, how-tos, and more in the coming days and weeks.
