Do you still use iris scanning on your Samsung phone?

By Joe Maring
published

As great as it's been to see Samsung's Galaxy S8/S8+ and Note 8 trim down their bezels so much, the biggest issue that's come as a result of this is the fingerprint sensor placement. Both the S8 and Note 8 have fingerprint sensors that just aren't all that convenient compared to all other flagships that have been released this year, but this is thankfully remedied with the addition of iris scanning.

Samsung's iris scanning isn't nearly as fast as Face ID on the iPhone X, but it is one of the best facial recognition systems that's currently available for Android.

Some of our forum users recently got to talking about whether or not they're still using iris scanning on their Samsung device, and this is what they had to say.

I do like it but I've turned it off as I always feel a bit 'funny' after using it. Hard to explain but it is instantly noticeable. Don't know if it's something that should concern me but it's put me off

aldo82

I like it and use it, but its definitely not 100%. I have it and FPS both turned on and usually simultaneously try to do both and which ever hits first unlocks. But recently I turned on the smart lock with my Gear S3, which is great because when my watch is with me then the phone just stays unlocked. You do have to be careful with that though, because if they are just laying next to either the...

convergent

It hardly ever works for me, I managed to set it up once but it just never recognises my eyes it was even worse on my old S8 plus it never worked on that. I wonder if eye colour has anything to do with how accurate it is? From the videos I have seen on YouTube those that found it fast and reliable all had dark colour eyes

Derren Woods

I use it all the time. I also have set up Home button to go to the home screen as I unlock which makes unlocking your phone with IRIS scanner a breeze! It does take little time to get used to right position for you as it needs to scan your eyes but once after that it's really quick!

digitalbreak

I too use it with Samsung Pay and I love it. Works flawlessly and quickly. Much better than using the fingerprint scanner as I did with my old Note 5.

rjr1049

Now, we'd like to hear from you – Are you using iris scanning on your S8/Note 8?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Joe Maring
Joe Maring

Joe Maring was a Senior Editor for Android Central between 2017 and 2021. You can reach him on Twitter at @JoeMaring1.

31 Comments
  • I only use it for biometric passwords on the Samsung browser, it kicks in faster than LastPass
  • Yes all the time. Works great.
  • *Don't mean to hijack your comment, I just have no idea how to comment on this site without replying to someone. I use it all the time on my Note especially now that it's winter. With my gloves on and using the Iris scanner and the S Pen, I easily unlock my phone and navigate around it without any issues. I actually use the Iris scanner way more than the fingerprint sensor or my pin. You kind of get used to it when your ex girlfriend is the type to go through your phone.
  • Sorry, the comment box just appeared for me. Ugh, the comments section is so buggy on this site.
  • I do have it turned on as my second method of unlocking my phone. It works just fine most if the time. Only issue is in extreme brightness, direct sunlight. You just have to kind of find a sweet spot to hold it when looking at it to get it to work correctly. Just as iPhone X users do with their phones.
  • Yes i use it everyday..it's lighting fast for me...no issues...Ian using Note 8
    Its way way better than what I had on Lumia 950
  • It is super fast and easy on the Note 8. I use it for all security related apps, including Samsung Pay, Google Play Syotr and any other biometric security enabled apps and web sites. I haven't had any issues in any level of lighting and it works with my glasses on as well.
  • I can't see how this or face ID can be easier or quicker than fingerprint? I wake and unlock my phone as I take it out my pocket.
  • I use it along with smart lock (fit bit) and the occasional pin. Works great for me when I need it
  • I also use it all the time as well as smartlock using my FitBit. I still can't get the FPS to work. The Iris scanner is really fast, use it for all my passwords too.
  • No, Never liked it.
  • i use it all the time, especially when my phone is resting on my wireless charging stand on my desk. i use it more often outside now that it's cold too. the great thing about it is that you can have both enabled. also, the fingerprtint scanner location is not an issue. it may seem like an issue to phone reviewers that gothru dozens of devices in a year, but for consumers, we get used to it pretty quickly. i actually end up touching that location on other phones nowadays.
  • Easier for me to just use fingerprint. Set it up when i first got the phone but never really cared for it
  • I use it every day on my S8.
  • I use it all the time on my Note especially now that it's winter. With my gloves on and using the Iris scanner and the S Pen, I easily unlock my phone and navigate around it without any issues. I actually use the Iris scanner way more than the fingerprint sensor or my pin. You kind of get used to it when your ex girlfriend is the type to go through your phone.
  • It is less than 10% successful for me. I know it says to remove your glasses. But to take off your glasses every time you need to login simply isn't useful. The fingerprint is still more reliable even in the current location on the S8 Active.
  • It's successful for me all the time even with my glasses on. I was shocked the first time it did it with t my glasses on, but now I'm just used to it working. Does well with my contacts in too.
  • No. Never used it, probably never will.
  • Nope, will not be damaging my eyes when I can simply use the fps
  • I use it every single day. Because for me at least, the damn thing is stupid fast......in good conditions. Just press the power button and it's already unlocked. The drawback? Direct sunlight.
  • I too was feeling it was affecting my eyes.. Now I use face and fingerprint.
  • Use it regularly but mostly when my watch is charging which disables the smart lock on my phone. Struggles in bright sunlight and when I first wake up when I have to force my eyes open lol.
  • Once I found how to enable Iris immediately from screen off, I started using it more. Depending on how I pick up my Note it might be faster than going for the sensor.
  • Absolutely...still fast for me
  • I'd bet that I use the Iris scanner about 1 out of every 15 times that I unlock the phone. I actually tend to use the pin more than anything. On almy Nexus 6p, I used the finger print scanner 100% of the time. It must be the placement of the scanner on the S8+.
  • Just started using it a few weeks ago. Works great without my glasses.
  • Mine never worked...
  • Worked great, but then I noticed I got headaches and an eye strain sensation after using it. So I turned it off and the FPS works great instead.
  • I use it constantly. It works extremely well for me with both my glasses and contacts.
  • It may depend on the eyeglass prescription. It's not working well on mt wife's S8 with her glasses. And with the very bad location of the FP sensor, she basically has to use her pin.
  • Use it all the time. For me, it easily has a 95% success rate, and is lightning fast 95% of the time, even outside on a sunny day with my Oakley's on with Ice Iridium lenses. I use the FPS as well, mainly to unlock apps. For what it's worth, I have brown eyes.