How to enable fingerprint scanner gestures on any Android phone

When the Pixel devices were launched, there was one feature which impressed me more than most, the fingerprint scanner gestures. Swiping or tapping on the sensors lets you perform some quick actions. Even Coolpad has some app shortcuts which can be configured, Xiaomi devices let you take selfies by tapping the scanner.

But Pixel's swipe and tap gestures are cooler than these. Now you can enable fingerprint scanner gestures on any Android phone, (which has the sensor of course. Nice try trolls)

And all you need to do, is install an app for this. It's called Fingerprint Quick Action, and was written by XDA member ztc1997. The app lets you use two gestures, each of which can be configured to perform an action. You can use a quick tap, or a fast swype. Now, there is a small catch. All phones with a fingerprint scanner, let you unlock the device using the sensor. But, you can't do so when using the gestures in Fingerprint Quick Action, on a non-rooted device.

If you have a rooted phone, then you can use it for waking up the device and unlocking it, like you do normally. We tested it on a Redmi Note 3 with Cyanogenmod 13, which means it is rooted.

How to enable fingerprint scanner gestures on any Android phone

Download the Fingerprint Quick Action apk from XDA.

1. Install it on the device you want to use it. (You need to enable installation of apps from unknown sources from the device's security settings).

2. Next, open the app. Enable the first option and grant it permission to use the accessibility service.

3. Scroll down to select the gestures and the corresponding action.

4. Try the gesture and it should work as seen below.

Rooted users:

1. Enable the "work-around for fingerprint to unlock.

2. Grant the app root permission, and you are good to go.

The developer says that he plans to add more Quick Actions, a Double Tap Action,  Per Fingerprint Action, and support for Xposed Framework, to the app in the future.

via: Android Authority