Fingerprint scanners provide a secure and convenient way to unlock our smartphones. They have become a prerequisite on every android device. But that convenience doesn’t have to be limited to our phone lock screen. Since fingerprint support is a native element on Android, it’s simple for developers to utilize the fingerprint sensor on their apps. Below, we present the best uses of the fingerprint scanner, besides unlocking our phone.
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Lock apps
Our smartphones contain a lot of personal and sensitive information like conversations, photos, and videos. The lock screen offers some basic security, but it's not enough to prevent strangers from accessing our data.
If you want to protect your privacy from prying eyes, you can add an extra layer of security by locking up your applications. That way, you won't have to worry that someone will access your gallery, Facebook, or banking app.
AppLock is the most popular locking app on Android. It has millions of downloads, and it can secure any app. It can also lock various Android toggles like WiFi, mobile data, Bluetooth, etc. You can use it to protect any Android element you like.
To gain access to your locked elements or applications, AppLock allows you to use your fingerprint scanner. It's extra convenient, and you can always use a PIN as a backup. Moreover, it comes with exciting features like the ability to hide the app icon and power saving mode.
You can even set profiles for your children, friends, and strangers, or allow access to specific applications only for certain people. These profiles can also be activated based on your location, the time of the day, or both.
AppLock is free, but some features are only available with the premium version.
Journey
Journals and diaries have been around for ages. We can use them to write down our thoughts and ideas, set goals for the future, or improve our writing skills.
In today’s virtual world, keeping a journal is easier than ever. We have access to smartphones, laptops, and tablets any time during the day. But since diaries are incredibly personal, a journal app needs to be secure to ensure the privacy of our writings.
Journey is a cross-platform app packed with exciting features. It can easily make a case for the best journal app for Android. It's free, but the premium version requires a subscription that costs $2.49 per month.
Nevertheless, the free version includes all the security features that you need. You can lock your journal with your fingerprint scanner so no one else can have access to it.
Solo photo
Are you annoyed when people swipe through your photos while you try to show them a picture? Solo Photo solves this exact problem. It eliminates gallery scrolling and only shows one photo at a time.
You select the photo you want to show to your friends and the app locks down the rest of the gallery. To gain access to any other picture, you need to provide your fingerprint.
Solo Photo is a free app with an option to upgrade to a premium version. It costs $1.99 and includes some additional features. However, the basic version will do the job and ensure our privacy.
Password Manager
Human-generated passwords are generally too weak. Moreover, remembering tens of different password can be a hassle. At the same time, we would not recommend using the same password for every single one of your accounts.
For those reasons, a password manager is indispensable to maximize the security of our accounts and protect our private information. It allows us to keep all of our passwords in one spot. At the same time, we can use more complex and less vulnerable passwords, since we won't have to memorize them.
Password managers create a master password that gives you access to all your login information. Of course, this data needs to be encrypted and heavily protected. Luckily, there is a variety of apps that do exactly that.
LastPass is one of those apps, with tons of features, including the ability to auto-fill our login information into apps, sites, and forms. It also comes with a password generator and the ability to grant emergency access to a friend or family member.
But the app's most convenient feature is the ability to unlock your password database using your phone's fingerprint scanner. Your login information will be extra safe, and you can access them easily with a tap of your finger.
Pay with your fingerprint scanner
With NFC technology, you can replace all your credit and debit cards with your Android phone. NFC has an edge among other payment methods since you don't have to confirm your PIN or hand over a card.
There are a lot of apps that take advantage of this technology. The majority of them also utilize your fingerprint scanner to authorize your transactions quickly. Instead of typing a PIN every time you purchase something, you scan your phone and tap your finger on your device.
Venmo, Paypal, Google Pay, and the majority of banking apps, include fingerprint authentication in their features. It's a safe and convenient way to purchase goods in physical stores.
Moreover, apps like Google Play allow you to enable fingerprint authentication when you try to download a paid app. That way, you can ensure that your kids won’t put unwanted charges on your credit card when you hand your device over to them.
You can enable this feature by going to Settings in the Play Store and check the box that says “fingerprint authentication.”
Do you use your fingerprint scanner for more than unlocking your phone?
If you have any questions or if you want to share your experience with another way to utilize your fingerprint scanner in your device, you can write to us in the comments below.
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