Samsung's new high-tech fingerprint reader on the latest Galaxy smartphones has a major flaw: It can be fooled by the residue left by your fingers on a screen protector. The company is warning customers who own the latest Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 phones to remove their screen protectors until Samsung releases a software update.
A British woman recently discovered that her husband could unlock her Samsung phone when he placed his thumb on the fingerprint reader, which was enclosed in a cheap case, according to multiple reports. A different person posted a video of a similar incident on Twitter.
Samsung is responding to the incident with a bug fix, and it is telling customers not to use "certain silicone screen protecting cases."
"If you currently use front screen protective covers, to ensure optimum fingerprint scanning, please refrain from using this cover until your device has been updated with a new software patch," Samsung said in a statement. The company said the update is planned to be released early next week.
The issue affects all models of Samsung's new S10 and Note 10 phones, which can scan people's fingers through the phones' screens. The phones have ultrasonic fingerprint scanners, which use soundwaves to create a 3D map of a person's fingerprint, according to Samsung's website.
Samsung has warned that some screen protectors might make the sensor "malfunction." The company provides a screen protector that is specially designed for the ultrasonic fingerprint reader, which costs at least $20 to replace.
Samsung (SSNLF) has a history of troubled phone launches. The planned release of the Galaxy Fold was pushed back several months this year after it was breaking for earlier reviewers. Two years ago, Samsung recalled the Galaxy Note 7 after some customers' batteries caught fire. That cost the company billions of dollars.
Latest Stories
-
I want to focus more on my education – Chidimma Adetshina quits pageantry
53 mins -
Priest replaced after Sabrina Carpenter shoots music video in his church
1 hour -
Duct-taped banana artwork sells for $6.2m in NYC
1 hour -
Arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas commander over alleged war crimes
1 hour -
Actors Jonathan Majors and Meagan Good are engaged
1 hour -
Expired rice saga: A ‘best before date’ can be extended – Food and Agriculture Engineer
2 hours -
Why I rejected Range Rover gift from a man – Tiwa Savage
2 hours -
KNUST Engineering College honours Telecel Ghana CEO at Alumni Excellence Awards
2 hours -
Postecoglou backs Bentancur appeal after ‘mistake’
2 hours -
#Manifesto debate: NDC to enact and pass National Climate Law – Prof Klutse
2 hours -
‘Everything a manager could wish for’ – Guardiola signs new deal
3 hours -
TEWU suspends strike after NLC directive, urges swift resolution of grievances
3 hours -
Netflix debuts Grain Media’s explosive film
3 hours -
‘Expired’ rice scandal: FDA is complicit; top officials must be fired – Ablakwa
4 hours -
#TheManifestoDebate: We’ll provide potable water, expand water distribution network – NDC
4 hours