Biometric Setup
description: Enable Face ID, Touch ID, and fingerprint authentication
Biometric Setup
🔐 Why Use Biometrics?
Biometric authentication provides the perfect balance of security and convenience:
⚡ Instant Access No typing PINs repeatedly | |
🛡️ Enhanced Security Unique biological identifiers | |
🎯 Transaction Approval Confirm sends with a glance | |
🔄 PIN Backup Always have alternative access |
📱 Supported Biometric Types
iOS Devices
👤 Face ID
- Devices: iPhone X and newer
- Technology: TrueDepth camera system
- Works in: Most lighting conditions
- With masks: Supported on iOS 15.4+
👆 Touch ID
- Devices: iPhone SE, older iPhones, iPads
- Technology: Fingerprint sensor
- Location: Home button
- Multiple fingers: Up to 5 registered
Android Devices
👆 Fingerprint
- Devices: Most Android 6.0+ phones
- Locations: Screen, back, or side
- Types: Optical, ultrasonic, capacitive
- Multiple fingers: Device dependent
👤 Face Unlock
- Devices: Varies by manufacturer
- Security: Depends on hardware
- Note: Some less secure than fingerprint
🚀 Initial Setup
During Wallet Creation
After creating your wallet, you'll see:
"Secure with Biometrics"screen
Choose your method:
- Enable Face ID(iOS)
- Enable Touch ID(iOS)
- Enable Fingerprint(Android)
- Skip for Now(set up later)
System permission prompt appears
Authenticate to confirm
Success confirmation
From Settings (Later Setup)
- Open DropFi app
- Enter your PIN
- TapSettingstab
- Select"Security"
- Toggle"Biometric Authentication"
- Authenticate when prompted
⚙️ Configuration Options
What Biometrics Unlock
Configure when biometrics are required:
🔓 App Access Open app without PIN Default: ON | |
💸 Transaction Signing Approve sends and swaps Default: ON | |
👀 View Secret Phrase Extra security for backups Default: ON | |
🔗 DApp Connections Authorize new connections Default: OFF |
Fallback Options
When biometrics fail:
- Always Available: 6-digit PIN
- After 3 Failures: PIN required
- Device Restart: PIN required first
- 48 Hours: Re-authenticate required
📋 Step-by-Step Setup Guide
iOS Face ID Setup
Go to Settings
textSettings → Security → Biometric Authentication
Toggle Face ID
- Switch turns blue/green
- System prompt appears
Position Your Face
- Hold phone 10-20 inches away
- Look directly at camera
- Complete circle motion if asked
Confirmation
- "Face ID is now enabled"
- Test by locking and reopening app
iOS Touch ID Setup
Navigate to Security
textSettings → Security → Biometric Authentication
Enable Touch ID
- Toggle switch ON
- System authentication prompt
Place Your Finger
- Rest on home button
- Don't press, just touch
- May vibrate when read
Success Message
- "Touch ID enabled"
- Lock app to test
Android Fingerprint Setup
Open Security Settings
textSettings → Security → Biometric Authentication
Enable Fingerprint
- Toggle Fingerprint ON
- Android system prompt
Scan Your Finger
- Follow device-specific instructions
- Usually requires multiple scans
- Different angles for accuracy
Verify Setup
- "Fingerprint authentication enabled"
- Test immediately
🔧 Troubleshooting
Face ID Not Working
Common Issues:
- Lighting: Too dark or bright
- Angle: Hold phone naturally
- Obstructions: Remove sunglasses
- Updates: Check iOS version
Solutions:
- Reset Face ID in iOS Settings
- Re-scan your face
- Clean TrueDepth camera
- Restart device
Touch ID/Fingerprint Fails
Common Issues:
- Dirty sensor: Clean with soft cloth
- Wet fingers: Dry completely
- Changed fingerprint: Re-register
- Case interference: Check coverage
Solutions:
- Delete and re-add fingerprints
- Register same finger twice
- Use different finger
- Update device software
Android Face Unlock Issues
Note: Security varies by device
Recommendations:
- Prefer fingerprint if available
- Check manufacturer security rating
- Consider PIN-only for sensitive use
- Research your device model
🛡️ Security Best Practices
DO ✅
- Register trusted fingers only
- Keep sensors clean
- Use PIN as backup
- Update OS regularly
- Test after major updates
DON'T ❌
- Share device unlocked
- Register others' biometrics
- Disable PIN requirement
- Ignore failed attempts
- Use if injured/bandaged
Extra Security Tips
Attention Awareness(Face ID)
- Requires looking at phone
- Prevents unlock while sleeping
- Enable in iOS Settings
Alternate Appearance(Face ID)
- Add with/without glasses
- Different hairstyles
- Improves recognition
Multiple Fingers(Touch ID/Fingerprint)
- Register 2-3 fingers
- Both hands for flexibility
- Index and thumb common
📊 Biometric vs PIN Comparison
Feature | Biometrics | 6-Digit PIN |
---|---|---|
Speed | Instant (<1 sec) | 2-3 seconds |
Security | Very High | High |
Convenience | Excellent | Good |
Reliability | 95-99% | 100% |
Sharing | Impossible | Possible |
Backup Method | PIN | Recovery Phrase |
🔄 Managing Biometric Settings
Temporarily Disable
When you might disable biometrics:
- Lending phone briefly
- Extreme sports/activities
- Medical procedures
- Privacy concerns
How to Disable:
- Settings → Security
- Toggle Biometrics OFF
- Enter PIN to confirm
- Re-enable anytime
Changing Biometric Type
To switch methods (e.g., Face to Fingerprint):
- Disable current method
- Enable preferred method
- Complete new setup
- Test thoroughly
Reset All Biometrics
For complete reset:
- Settings → Security
- "Reset Biometric Settings"
- Confirm with PIN
- All biometrics removed
- Set up fresh
🎯 Quick Tips
Optimal Face ID Use
- Natural face angle
- 10-20 inches distance
- Good lighting helps
- Works with most glasses
- Struggles with full sunglasses
Best Fingerprint Practice
- Register most-used finger
- Add backup finger
- Clean sensor regularly
- Avoid after shower/swimming
- Re-scan if injured
Transaction Signing
- Look at amount carefully
- Biometric confirms intent
- Cannot be undone
- Extra security layer
- Falls back to PIN
🚨 Security Warnings
Never Do This
- ❌ Let others add their biometrics
- ❌ Disable PIN completely
- ❌ Share your PIN as backup
- ❌ Use biometrics if coerced
- ❌ Ignore repeated failures
Emergency Access
If forced to unlock:
- Use wrong finger/face angle
- After 3 fails → PIN required
- Enter wrong PIN if needed
- Access emergency contacts
💡 Pro Tip: Register your biometrics in the conditions you'll use them most. If you wear glasses daily, set up Face ID with them on. If you often use your phone one-handed, register your thumb for easy access!