PSA: Galaxy S7 fingerprint sensor needs to be pressed to unlock the device even on Nougat

Samsung changed how the fingerprint sensor works on the Galaxy J5 Prime and the J7 Prime to unlock the device. Unlike other devices from the company, users don't need to press the fingerprint sensor when the screen is turned off. Just placing a finger on the fingerprint sensor gets the job done. Many were expecting that Samsung would implement the same mechanism in the Galaxy S7 and the S7 edge with the Nougat update and have been asking us about the same in the comments. We're afraid that is not the case.

We've been playing around with the Galaxy S7 and the S7 edge after they received the Android 7.0 update, and Samsung still hasn't changed how these devices unlock when the screen is turned off. You still need to press the fingerprint sensor to wake up and unlock the device. Compared to some competing devices, the current unlocking mechanism is cumbersome. Hopefully, that won't be the case with the Galaxy S8 as it is expected to feature a new-generation fingerprint sensor placed on its back.

Got Nougat on your Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge? Check out a few tips and tricks to enhance your user experience, and see a list of all the major new features here!

Asif Iqbal Shaik - Senior Editor

[email protected]

First Samsung device: T100

Asif is a computer engineer turned technology journalist. He has been using Samsung phones since 2004, and his current smartphone is the Galaxy S21 Ultra. He loves headphones, mechanical keyboards, and PC hardware. When not writing about technology, he likes watching crime and science fiction movies and TV shows.

Phone Android 7.0 Galaxy S7 Galaxy S7 edge Nougat