Nokia 9 PureView update makes the fingerprint reader less secure

Right from the start, the Nokia 9 PureView's under display fingerprint reader wasn't as reliable as it should be so HMD Global is now pushing a software update to take care of the issue. Some users have already installed it but it turns out that it causes a security issue with the fingerprint scanner.

We are rolling out a software update to your Nokia 9 Pureview. Kindly re-enroll your finger print for best experience. While update is staged it is available in most markets already. #nokia9pureview 📷📷📷📷📷

— Juho Sarvikas (@sarvikas) April 19, 2019

The update appears to have improved the fingerprint reader's performance but after applying the patch, many users found they could unlock their phones with an unregistered finger or even something as random as a pack of chewing gums.

Here is my Nokia 9 Fingerprint sensor issue, phone can be unlocked using a chewing gum packet or someone else's finger. Even unlocked with a coin or leather gloves. Please do help me get my Nokia 9 sorted. pic.twitter.com/Thce3nB2fr

— Decoded Pixel (@decodedpixel) April 21, 2019

It is most likely an issue with the newly tweaked algorithm and is now doing a less precise scan when certain conditions are met.

It looks like another patch is needed to take care of the false positive readings so stay tuned or maybe don't install the update if you haven't already.