Unlocking your Windows PC with just a fingerprint isn’t limited to high-end laptops or the latest hardware. Even if your device doesn’t have a built-in fingerprint sensor or IR camera, you can still enjoy this feature with your Android phone. Thanks to the Remote Fingerprint Unlock app, you can turn your phone into a key that lets you unlock your PC quickly and securely. This guide will walk you through setting it up and getting started right away.

What you need

The Remote Fingerprint Unlock app, developed by XDA Forums member Andrew-X, lets your Android phone act as an unlocking tool for your Windows PC. It works with Windows PCs on x86 or x64 architectures, from Windows Vista to Windows 11. However, Arm64 devices are not yet supported.

How it works

First, download the Remote Fingerprint Unlock app from Google Play Store. If the app is not available for your phone’s Android version, you can download the APK from an external source like APKMirror. Next, install the Windows Fingerprint Credential module on your PC. This module will allow your phone to connect to your PC over a local network. Make sure your phone and PC are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Setup steps

1. Lock your PC by pressing Windows + L or using the Start menu.
2. Open the Remote Fingerprint Unlock app on your phone and tap the Scan section.
3. Swipe down to search for devices, then select your PC.
4. You can give your PC a name and send a Wake-on-LAN packet if you have the Pro version.
5. Add your PC to the app and then go to the Accounts section.
6. Add the account you want to unlock by entering your username and password.

After setup, lock your PC. You will then see a new user called “Fingerprint Unlock”. When the module is active, you can unlock your PC by scanning your fingerprint on your phone.

Troubleshooting

If you’re having trouble with the fingerprint unlock feature, there are several steps you can take to resolve the issue. First, consider uninstalling the Remote Fingerprint Unlock app and then reinstalling it. This can reset the connection between your phone and your PC, which may resolve any communication issues.

Next, it’s advisable to remove any stored fingerprints from your phone’s settings before setting up the app again. This step ensures that the app recognizes a fresh set of fingerprint data, which can sometimes resolve recognition issues.

It is important to note that not all smartphones are fully compatible with the app. For example, users of devices like the OnePlus 12 have reported certain issues where the app does not work as expected. In such cases, the problem may be related to hardware or software incompatibilities that require more in-depth troubleshooting or even waiting for an app update that fixes these issues.

If standard troubleshooting steps don’t resolve the issue, you can check out the app’s official forums or user communities for further advice. Often, other users have encountered similar issues and can offer helpful insights or solutions. Alternatively, contacting the app developer directly may be a more targeted way to resolve the issue.

Free vs. Pro Features

The Remote Fingerprint Unlock app offers a simple but functional free version that lets you unlock a Windows PC with a single account using your phone’s fingerprint scanner. This can be handy for users with a single device or for those who just want to try out the app. Additionally, the free version supports Wi-Fi tethering, so you can unlock your PC even when you’re using your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot.

For users looking for more advanced features, the Pro version is available for a small fee of $1.99. Upgrading to the Pro version removes all ads, providing a smoother user experience. It also allows the addition of multiple PCs and multiple accounts per PC, making it ideal for users who use different devices or have more than one account on their PC. Another key feature of the Pro version is Wake-on-LAN support, which allows you to remotely wake your PC from sleep mode, providing additional convenience.

Security concerns

When you use third-party apps to unlock your PC, security is a legitimate concern. The Remote Fingerprint Unlock app is not open source, meaning the code is not publicly viewable. However, the app has a good reputation among users and has passed various malware detection tests, suggesting that it is free of malicious code. The developer, Andrew-X, is well-respected in the tech community, which adds to the app’s credibility. While no app can be 100% secure, the available evidence suggests that Remote Fingerprint Unlock is a safe option for most users.

An alternative: PC Bio Unlock

PC Bio Unlock is another app with similar functionality that lets you unlock your Windows PC using your phone’s fingerprint scanner. However, what sets this app apart is that it also supports Linux, making it a versatile option for users working with different operating systems. The free version of PC Bio Unlock lets you perform basic tasks like unlocking the Windows login screen or UAC prompts. For Linux users, it supports unlocking with Sudo and Polkit (pkexec), as well as GNOME, GDM, KDE, and SDDM environments.

For those who want more features, PC Bio Unlock offers several Pro options via in-app purchases. These include Auto Unlock, which automatically unlocks your PC when your phone is within Wi-Fi or Bluetooth range, and Wear OS Notification, which lets you unlock your PC via a smartwatch. One of the key benefits of PC Bio Unlock is that the developer has made the authentication modules and desktop companion app open source, so anyone can audit the code for security and transparency.

A practical tool

The ability to unlock your PC using a fingerprint scanner on your phone is a valuable tool, especially for users of older PCs without biometric sensors. Both Remote Fingerprint Unlock and PC Bio Unlock offer easy-to-use solutions that can improve your workflow. Despite potential compatibility issues with certain phones or PCs, these apps are generally reliable and effective, making them a worthwhile addition to your tech toolkit. Whether you opt for the free or Pro version, you’ll get a convenient and modern way to secure your devices.