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Upgrade Your Phone's Fingerprint Lock With No Special Software


The average person uses only 10 percent of their finger-power opening their phone. That doesn’t mean anything, but you should be teaching your phone more than a single fingerprint. Try these three upgrades to streamline your phone’s fingerprint recognition.

Add More Fingerprints

You can add multiple fingers to iOS. I use both forefingers and thumbs, so I can easily unlock my phone in either hand or on a flat surface. (I leave my other fingers unrecognized, so I can press the home button with my middle finger to see my lock screen without unlocking.)

Add Someone Else’s Fingerprint

If you and your partner have few secrets, but many reasons to use each other’s phones, add each other’s fingerprints for convenience. Add your fingerprint to your kid’s phone, or even your parent’s phone. It’s easier than memorizing someone else’s passcode.

Add the Same Fingerprint Twice

If Touch ID rejects your finger too often, CNET suggests adding multiple copies of your fingerprint. Try adding one while your hand is damp, so your phone’s a little easier to open after a shower.

Some day we’ll all be forced to switch to facial recognition, but until then, use all your fingers in the fight for digital superiority.