[Q] Fingerprint database location - Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Looking for some guru help here...
My S5 has fallen to the fingerprint reader bug... I was able to get in and switch to a pin unlock, but I put off having the phone RMA'ed for convenience reasons... but now I've stumbled onto something...
Used Safestrap to take a nandroid backup of /data and then did a factory reset. This caused the fingerprint functionality to revert to the unprogrammed factory state where I was able to program new fingerprints successfully. After this, I restored the nandroid and it was back to its broken state. Conclusion: the hardware is fine and the problem is somewhere in the /data partition.
I found a DB in /data/data/com.samsung.android.fingerprint.service/databases/fingerprint.db, which contains one row for each fingerprint, but obviously does not contain the actual fingerprint data as there are no BLOB type data in it. Also, clearing that DB alone doesn't help. Any other ideas where I might look?

Related

Bad suprise with fingerprint scanner after TWRP restore

So yesterday I did my first TWRP restore. Restore worked fine, device booted without issues to the lockscreen.
Lockscreen was protected by fingerprint.
To my surprise, none of my fingers were detected. Strange I thought, but hey, thats what the backup password is for.
So I entered the backup password and ... the device unlocked.
So, no big deal I thought, somehow the fingerprint data got scrambled in the restore process but the password worked.
Next step: Disable Fingerprint lockscreen / Relearn fingerprints.
Of course here I have to authenticate myself again with fingerprint (not working of course) or the backup password.
To my surprise, the device does not accept the backup password when entered in the fingerprint settings...
Uh Oh, I now thought. Well, I CAN unlock my device but entering the backup password every time is kind of annoying.
As I found no solution on how to disable the fingerprint lockscreen I was forced to factory reset the device (strangely enough during factory reset I was again asked for the backup password and it was accepted in this dialog).
So, as a warning, disable your fingerprint lockscreen before making a TWRP/CWM backup.
If someone has a tip on how I could have avoided a factory reset, I would be grateful to learn more...
Gandhi70 said:
So yesterday I did my first TWRP restore. Restore worked fine, device booted without issues to the lockscreen.
Lockscreen was protected by fingerprint.
To my surprise, none of my fingers were detected. Strange I thought, but hey, thats what the backup password is for.
So I entered the backup password and ... the device unlocked.
So, no big deal I thought, somehow the fingerprint data got scrambled in the restore process but the password worked.
Next step: Disable Fingerprint lockscreen / Relearn fingerprints.
Of course here I have to authenticate myself again with fingerprint (not working of course) or the backup password.
To my surprise, the device does not accept the backup password when entered in the fingerprint settings...
Uh Oh, I now thought. Well, I CAN unlock my device but entering the backup password every time is kind of annoying.
As I found no solution on how to disable the fingerprint lockscreen I was forced to factory reset the device (strangely enough during factory reset I was again asked for the backup password and it was accepted in this dialog).
So, as a warning, disable your fingerprint lockscreen before making a TWRP/CWM backup.
If someone has a tip on how I could have avoided a factory reset, I would be grateful to learn more...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there, I have same bad experience with it, even worse !
after reading your post I've trying to prepare myself so I turned off the screen lock fingerprint security and full of happiness flashed new rom, then I've noticed all my data moved before to PRIVATE disappeared so they are not stored in any more at internal sd card, but somewhere else! So i've restored my previous backup from twrp but none of my fingerprints works also my password is not recognised anymore in private mode
So it looks like I lost all my files saved in private mode, I am lucky it wasn't nothing special, just random photos I've put there for tests! but anyway we need some solution for future backups, maybe improved recovery or something
Gandhi70 said:
So yesterday I did my first TWRP restore. Restore worked fine, device booted without issues to the lockscreen.
Lockscreen was protected by fingerprint.
To my surprise, none of my fingers were detected. Strange I thought, but hey, thats what the backup password is for.
So I entered the backup password and ... the device unlocked.
So, no big deal I thought, somehow the fingerprint data got scrambled in the restore process but the password worked.
Next step: Disable Fingerprint lockscreen / Relearn fingerprints.
Of course here I have to authenticate myself again with fingerprint (not working of course) or the backup password.
To my surprise, the device does not accept the backup password when entered in the fingerprint settings...
Uh Oh, I now thought. Well, I CAN unlock my device but entering the backup password every time is kind of annoying.
As I found no solution on how to disable the fingerprint lockscreen I was forced to factory reset the device (strangely enough during factory reset I was again asked for the backup password and it was accepted in this dialog).
So, as a warning, disable your fingerprint lockscreen before making a TWRP/CWM backup.
If someone has a tip on how I could have avoided a factory reset, I would be grateful to learn more...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing happened to me today, tried restoring Echoe rom (nandroid) then smack!! fingerprint no longer works
having to factory reset
That's weird, because i did a fully nandroid backup in TWRP on my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (SM-N910F) like 4-5 days ago. I did that to try out another ROM, but i didn't like that so i restored the ROM i took a nandroid backup of.
After that, my fingerprint scanner works perfect or as good as it did before i did a nandroid backup.
Tom-Helge said:
That's weird, because i did a fully nandroid backup in TWRP on my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (SM-N910F) like 4-5 days ago. I did that to try out another ROM, but i didn't like that so i restored the ROM i took a nandroid backup of.
After that, my fingerprint scanner works perfect or as good as it did before i did a nandroid backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well,I tried again (this time I disabled the fingerprint lockscreen before making the backup) and again, after restore, I cannot access the fingerprint settings.
Fingerprints are not recognized and the backup password does not work within the settings dialog.
Not that big of a problem as I did not use the fingerprint lockscreen.
But does anyone know a way to completely reset the fingerprint data/backup password other then making a factory reset?
krohme said:
Same thing happened to me today, tried restoring Echoe rom (nandroid) then smack!! fingerprint no longer works
having to factory reset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backup password did not work either?
Gandhi70 said:
Backup password did not work either?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it only worked to unlock the device - but strangely enough the same backup password would not be accepted by the system for gaining access to the finger print reset settings. Very weird.. I'll be holding off restoring from a nandroid until I know the reason for this bug.
I had the same issue from a cwm restore this evening. Fingerprints not recognised on lockscreen but password is. When I goto try and re-register my fingerprints I can't access the menu with either fingerprint or backup password. Did you guys wipe the cache and dalvik cache before restoring? Could this even have an effect on the fingerprint data? I can't face having to factory reset and then setting up again
my device got effed up... I was forced to delete the stored fingerprints cause I had no options, so when I did that, the fingerprint sensor came up the an error and it said to restart, I did so many times, it didn't work, got corrupted, so I odined the firmware, no luck, we had an update, so I odined the firmware, and still didn't work, this is my 2nd device and its working great.. on the tmobile thread, it stated to delete any stored fingerprints before doing a nandroid backup, or flashing a new rom,, my 2nd phone is working fine, I have flashed and tested my roms without any issues,
try to delete any stored fingerprints, then in twrp recovery, wipe system, data, cache and dalvik, I always do that 2x to make sure everything is clean,
do ODIN and use your firmware to see if it fixes your issues,
some have had success, others had to return there devices, don't know,
Any update to this issue? Returning the device not an option anymore
Well i switched from fingerprint to pattern lock screen. No problem with that one and Cwm restore works fine too
Gesendet von meinem SM-N910F mit Tapatalk
For All those suffer from a bad suprise with fingerprint scanner after TWRP restore: please visit this page and thank the great developer Dr. Ketan.
ucevik said:
For All those suffer from a bad suprise with fingerprint scanner after TWRP restore: please visit this page and thank the great developer Dr. Ketan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashed with no luck. Still gives me error when opening fingerprint
Am I going to lose the fingerprint function forever? [emoji26]
So, what's the right thing to do if you want to install a new firmware and restore the data partition from nandroid backup?
I think:
1. Do nandroid backup
2. Unlock device, cancel all fingerprints
3. Full reset device
4. Restore nandroid of data only
5. Setup fingerprints again
Might this procedure work as expected?
Count me as another with the same problem. I even used Android Device Manager to change the backup password. It updates the screen lock password but does not update the fingerprint settings backup password. So still no solution.
There has to be a way to fix this w/ factory reset. The fact that factory reset wipes out the registered fingerprints indicates that the info is stored in /data. Where is it?
Edit: There is a "fingerprints" app. Clear data is not an option. When I select "Manage storage", I'm told that I do not have permission. If we know where the data is stored, we can wipe it and maybe start over.
Question for those who have this specific problem--do you have Xposed installed?
I started a thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/general/general/25-via-paypal-to-1st-person-helps-reset-t2988027
Offering $25 to someone who comes up w/ a solution.....
Honestly I just stopped using the fingerprint scanner. I cannot access the fingerprint data but as i am using the pattern lockscreen i don't care.
Gesendet von meinem SM-N910F mit Tapatalk
Maybe one should look at the log while starting over with a pristine note 4 and setting up the fingerprint recognition.
Gandhi70 said:
Honestly I just stopped using the fingerprint scanner. I cannot access the fingerprint data but as i am using the pattern lockscreen i don't care.
Gesendet von meinem SM-N910F mit Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me also, and have converted all my other devices to pattern as well. The Samsung fingerprint implementation comes with too many baggage. I would still, though, like to know of a solution to clear up the registration.

TWRP Restore Problem with Fingerprint security

I have a nexus 6P running rooted stock rom and I wanted to try out a new rom. Before flashing the new rom, I made a nandroid backup via TWRP. Now, the rom that I was backing up had fingerprint security setup with backup passcode for unlocking the phone.
So I tried new rom and it didn't work (read-too many issues and too many crashes). Decided to revert back to my original setup. Went back into TWRP and restored the backup.
After booting the phone up, I can't log in to my phone anymore. As you know after every reboot, fingerprint sensor doesn't work unless you enter the backup passcode. So I am entering my passcode and its not accepted. I have tried entering passcode many times but to no avail. I know my passcode so possibility of me forgetting it is not valid.
Has anybody else seen or ran into this issue yet?
The step folks are missing is Prior to installing a backup you Must Change security to None before you even start a backup This clears password, pin and saved finger prints. I believe once security is changed it is safe to backup and then install backup. You will need to reenter Pin and Fingerprints.
Born<ICs said:
The step folks ...
... is changed it is safe to install backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean clear the security before making a backup ... right?
if not, how would I change security on a backup file of rom that had security enabled.
I have never used lock screen security before so never ran into this issue.
No, dig through this forum for tech details. But my understanding is anytime you make/install a backup or reflash rom or go back to stock you must reset you Security options in settings to None. You have security now, probably Fingerprints, and the required Lockscreen Pin.
If you try to install backup or Rom or whatever without doing so you get what you experienced. There is a path out of it if you read further.
Pin or Pattern on boot after restoring Nandroid
Born<ICs said:
No, dig through this forum for tech details. But my understanding is anytime you make/install a backup or reflash rom or go back to stock you must reset you Security options in settings to None. You have security now, probably Fingerprints, and the required Lockscreen Pin.
If you try to install backup or Rom or whatever without doing so you get what you experienced. There is a path out of it if you read further.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The interesting thing is, I intentionally chose to enter pattern/pin on rebooting. The strange (actually may not be strange .....but strange to me) thing is that even when I move on to different Roms, that initial choice is remembered and embedded since even after choosing not to require pin/pattern when rebooting, I get prompted. Also the pin/pattern works during recovery, it also works on the initial startup after restoring a backup but then fails after successful fingerprint use (it will actually say "wrong pin" or "wrong pattern") at the end of the booting process. The thing is, I have only used one pin and at other times one password ever with this device. Eventually I had to do a factory reset to solve this issue (thank goodness I was able to back up my internal storage to my computer in TWRP recovery mode).

Fingerprint hardware unavailable? Enrollment didn't work?

Recipe:
TWRP 2.8.7.2
TWO Nexus 6Ps on 6.0.1
One N6P systemless rooted
Official Android SDK (fastboot)
So I got a replacement N6P from Fi as I noticed some slight bending on my original, and I was working on moving my data over using TWRP so I could keep all my app data, etc. When I backed up my original 6P, I forgot to remove screen and boot security, so when I flashed on to my new 6P, I was locked out (as expected, known bug). I tried this fix to get in to my system, and it worked! I was able to log in. However, I noticed that my old fingerprints were still enrolled and I wanted to start those fresh, so I tried to remove them. When I selected "Delete" for each enrolled fingerprint, nothing happened. This was the first clue. I then tried to enroll new fingerprints and got the following message:
Code:
[B]Enrollment was not completed[/B]
Fingerprint enrollment didn't work. Try again or use a different finger.
The other odd thing is that on the lockscreen, I was getting a red text error message that read something like "Fingerprint hardware not available."
So I figured something got messed up security wise from the fix I tried after flashing a locked nandoird. I then went back and made a new nandroid backup (boot, system, data) on my old phone making sure that all security was turned off. Same thing!
Wondering if the hardware did actually get messed up somehow, I flashed back to official stock 6.0.1 from Google. Fingerprinting then started working!
So nothing I have done since then has made any difference when trying to restore my userdata from my old phone. I've tried wiping cache/dalvik, and removing the locksettings.db file, but these didn't change anything either.
Has anyone had this issue before? It seems really bizarre to me. I'm probably going to end up flashing stock and restoring userdata via TB, but that is a headache compared to nandroid so if possible I'd like to get this to work.
Tried wiping userdata then flashing userdata from my old 6P and that did not work either.
Have you tried wiping data, setting up the device again, and then checking if you can add a fingerprint?
I tried restoring data from a device I had to RMA too, and got that exact message every time - I gave up in the end as I tried wiping everything but the only thing that worked was clearing userdata & restoring my apps from the nandroid via TiBu.
All in all, I presume it's something to do with the fingerprint scanner having a different hardware key/serial to the new one and retaining that info somewhere in the data partition when you back it up.
DanielF50 said:
Have you tried wiping data, setting up the device again, and then checking if you can add a fingerprint?
I tried restoring data from a device I had to RMA too, and got that exact message every time - I gave up in the end as I tried wiping everything but the only thing that worked was clearing userdata & restoring my apps from the nandroid via TiBu.
All in all, I presume it's something to do with the fingerprint scanner having a different hardware key/serial to the new one and retaining that info somewhere in the data partition when you back it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup I did try that, didn't work either. I'm right where you were too, currently restoring apps for TB. Your hypothesis seems plausible to me, I hadn't thought of that. Kind of a bummer for swapping devices if that is the case. I wonder if we could find where the fingerprint key is stored in userdata and back it up prior to flashing the nandroid?
Thanks for the reply!
No problems & yes, it is, though I presume it's either been done for some sort of security, or as a complete oversight - I can't see Google deliberately doing so, especially on a Nexus device.
I think it's probably highly likely that someone will find the hardware/serial file soon and find a way to stop it from being overwritten when TWRP restores the data partition, though it is annoying that it hasn't been discovered yet... Thankfully restoring from a nandroid through TitaniumBackup isn't too bad nowadays!
Srry for necro but I think I might have found a workaround solution to this problem or at least the problem which is very similar to this one. Please check "symptoms" in the description of the solution to make sure we are talking about the same issue.
Here's the link to the solution: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=68374321&postcount=1446
erikem said:
Srry for necro but I think I might have found a workaround solution to this problem or at least the problem which is very similar to this one. Please check "symptoms" in the description of the solution to make sure we are talking about the same issue.
Here's the link to the solution: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=68374321&postcount=1446
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for another necro, but this doesn't work for me on Android 7.1.1
Edit: Correct fix here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=68199207&postcount=9

Nexus Imprint Issues After Nandroid Backup Restore

Has anyone had issues setting up Imprint after importing a nandroid backup?
I had to RMA my 6P due to a faulty charging port and I can successfully set up Imprint in the factory state, however, after I import the backup, it won't allow me to set it up.
I've tried to do just a data import, a full nandroid import...pretty much every single option and constantly reflashing to stock to retry. I'm at a loss because it's definitely not a hardware problem as I can set it up during stock.
As soon as I click next to train my fingerprints, it flashes: "Enrollment was not completed. Fingerprint enrollment didn't work. Try again or use a different finger."
Has anyone ever run into this issue? Thanks for your help!
Never and I mean never restore a nandroid from one device to another. There are device specific files in that nandroid. Just hope you didn't kill your efs partition which kills your IMEI and in turn makes it not connect to any network.
RaysBucsBolts said:
Has anyone had issues setting up Imprint after importing a nandroid backup?
I had to RMA my 6P due to a faulty charging port and I can successfully set up Imprint in the factory state, however, after I import the backup, it won't allow me to set it up.
I've tried to do just a data import, a full nandroid import...pretty much every single option and constantly reflashing to stock to retry. I'm at a loss because it's definitely not a hardware problem as I can set it up during stock.
As soon as I click next to train my fingerprints, it flashes: "Enrollment was not completed. Fingerprint enrollment didn't work. Try again or use a different finger."
Has anyone ever run into this issue? Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As already stated you should never restore a backup from a different device. If you had a pin and fingerprint setup when you made the backup then it will not restore properly on any device. A thread has been pinned in the general section about TWRP'S issues with lockscreen security and backups.
If you can get into adb try this after restoring:
rm /data/system/locksettings.db
rm /data/system/*.key
If this doesnt work, go to twrp file manager and manually delete the files.
As mentioned above, before backing up you should always remove security.
It was mentioned in the TWRP thread that you should NEVER make a Nandroid Backup before disabling the fingerprint and swipe gestures. If you did a Nandroid Backup without having removed the security options first, you won´t be able to use it.
I am having the same issue after getting my new phone and trying to do the same thing. Each device seems to have some kind of Sensor ID or something else that stops the scanner from working. check out the reddit thread and this other thread on xda...
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/comments/3vjkq3/q_nandroid_from_6p_to_6p_which_partitions_to/cxqfcl1
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/help/fingerprint-hardware-unavailable-t3274436
seems everyone has the same issue. No fix as of yet but twrp will work to restore all of your data including your android id from a nandroid im pretty sure
jerflash said:
I am having the same issue after getting my new phone and trying to do the same thing. Each device seems to have some kind of Sensor ID or something else that stops the scanner from working. check out the reddit thread and this other thread on xda...
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus6P/co...oid_from_6p_to_6p_which_partitions_to/cxqfcl1
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/help/fingerprint-hardware-unavailable-t3274436
seems everyone has the same issue. No fix as of yet but twrp will work to restore all of your data including your android id from a nandroid im pretty sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course each one has its own ID.
This is not what Nandroids are for. Restoring this way you risk ruining your imei which then requires you to get a new device which warranty will not cover. So come on guys stop being lazy and do things properly. If you mess up your device then you have no else to blame but yourself.
And we wonder why OEM/Google are locking devices down.
zelendel said:
Of course each one has its own ID.
This is not what Nandroids are for. Restoring this way you risk ruining your imei which then requires you to get a new device which warranty will not cover. So come on guys stop being lazy and do things properly. If you mess up your device then you have no else to blame but yourself.
And we wonder why OEM/Google are locking devices down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would never tell anyone to restore EFS between two different devices! That could really mess things up. What we are talking about here is restoring the "Userdata" backup between two devices which can be safe if you know what you are doing...(I have done it for years without issue.) problem comes form there must be something hidden inside the userdata that stops you from restoring and using the fingerprint reader. Its actually a good feature for most if not a high level user.
I'm sure there will be a work around soon enough
jerflash said:
I would never tell anyone to restore EFS between two different devices! That could really mess things up. What we are talking about here is restoring the "Userdata" backup between two devices which can be safe if you know what you are doing...(I have done it for years without issue.) problem comes form there must be something hidden inside the userdata that stops you from restoring and using the fingerprint reader. Its actually a good feature for most if not a high level user.
I'm sure there will be a work around soon enough
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More and more apps are not storing their info into data partition.
Wouldn't count on a work around. With the new Qualcomm security settings many oem are really looking at doing it like the BB android device which can't even be rooted.
Did you find a solution guys? I have same problem.
Tell you the truth guys... just use helium, then factory reset. let google re-add everything and for what does not use helium. i did this and it works for most things. not very annoying at all

How to Reset Fingerprint Cache After TWRP Restore?

Hello, I am testing out backup and restore from TWRP and so far everything is working after restore except for the fingerprint hardware. It shows up disabled when on the lock screen, and when trying to enable it, it fails. I've tried looking for a system app, or folder related to fingerprint, but cannot find one. Anyone know where it might be?
Settings->Security->Fingerprint
This will take you through the fingerprint set up process again.

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