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Samsung Galaxy S5's fingerprint scanner in action (pictures)

A swipe of the finger now gets you into Samsung's new flagship phone. Here's how it works.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Jessica Dolcourt
007SamsungGalaxyS5_35833441_MWC2014_GS5scanner.jpg
1 of 6 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

The key to unlocking the Samsung Galaxy S5 screen? Your fingerprint

Samsung's Galaxy S5 has become the latest smartphone to add a scanner that unlocks the home screen after reading your fingerprint.
006SamsungGalaxyS5_35833441_MWC2014_GS5scanner.jpg
2 of 6 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

First things first

You start the finger-registration process by tapping the Finger Scanner icon in the newly-redesigned Settings menu.
009SamsungGalaxyS5_35833441_MWC2014_GS5scanner.jpg
3 of 6 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Setting up your profile

The Galaxy S5 lets you store three profiles. After tapping to get into the manager window, press the "+" sign to get started.
003SamsungGalaxyS5_35833441_MWC2014_GS5scanner.jpg
4 of 6 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

8 is the magic number

You'll swipe down 8 times to register your print, then set up a backup password in case you get locked out.
005SamsungGalaxyS5_35833441_MWC2014_GS5scanner.jpg
5 of 6 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Screen lock

Make sure you select "fingerprints" as the screen lock setting.
008SamsungGalaxyS5_35833441_MWC2014_GS5scanner.jpg
6 of 6 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Straight and narrow

Most of the time, the scan worked for me, but it's important to swipe down vertically from top to bottom -- or you'll get a misread.

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