Log in with a fingerprint

If your system has a supported fingerprint scanner, you can record your fingerprint and use it to log in.

Record a fingerprint

Before you can log in with your fingerprint, you need to record it so that the system can use it to identify you.

If your finger is too dry, you may have difficulty registering your fingerprint. If this happens, moisten your finger slightly, dry it with a clean, lint-free cloth, and retry.

You need administrator privileges to edit user accounts other than your own.

  1. Open the Activities overview and start typing System.

  2. Select Settings ▸ System from the results. This will open the System panel.

  3. Select Users to open the panel.

  4. Press on Disabled, next to Fingerprint Login to add a fingerprint for the selected account. If you are adding the fingerprint for a different user, you will first need to Unlock the panel.

  5. Select the finger that you want to use for the fingerprint, then Next.

  6. Follow the instructions in the dialog and swipe your finger at a moderate speed over your fingerprint reader. Once the computer has a good record of your fingerprint, you will see a Done! message.

  7. Select Next. You will see a confirmation message that your fingerprint was saved successfully. Select Close to finish.

Check that your fingerprint works

Now check that your new fingerprint login works. If you register a fingerprint, you still have the option to log in with your password.

  1. Save any open work, and then log out.

  2. At the login screen, select your name from the list. The password entry form will appear.

  3. Instead of typing your password, you should be able to swipe your finger on the fingerprint reader.