[GH-ISSUE #6942] [PM-37744] Biometrics login stopped working on Huawei P30 Pro (Android 10) #116284

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opened 2026-06-09 10:05:19 -05:00 by GiteaMirror · 8 comments
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Originally created by @gchmurka123 on GitHub (May 19, 2026).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/bitwarden/android/issues/6942

Steps To Reproduce

Biometrics login stopped working on Huawei P30 Pro (Android 10)
Steps / Background

Biometric login stopped working only in Bitwarden.

Biometric authentication still works correctly in other applications, including banking apps (for example Revolut and local banking/service apps in my country).

I recently added a new fingerprint to the device. I understand that after adding a new fingerprint it is necessary to re-enable biometrics in applications again.

However, in Bitwarden it is now impossible to enable biometric login again.

Device information
Device: Huawei P30 Pro
Android version: Android 10
EMUI / Software version: 12.0.0.149
Device state:

  • not rooted
  • bootloader locked

Bitwarden app version: 2026.4.0

  • Installed from Google Play Store

Expected Result

I should be able to re-enable "Unlock with biometrics" on my device.

Actual Result

Biometric unlock no longer works and cannot be enabled again in Bitwarden, while biometrics continue to work normally in other apps.

Screenshots or Videos

Image

Additional Context

No response

Build Version

2026.4.0

What server are you connecting to?

EU

Self-host Server Version

No response

Environment Details

No response

Issue Tracking Info

  • I understand that work is tracked outside of Github. A PR will be linked to this issue should one be opened to address it, but Bitwarden doesn't use fields like "assigned", "milestone", or "project" to track progress.
Originally created by @gchmurka123 on GitHub (May 19, 2026). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/bitwarden/android/issues/6942 ### Steps To Reproduce Biometrics login stopped working on Huawei P30 Pro (Android 10) Steps / Background Biometric login stopped working only in Bitwarden. Biometric authentication still works correctly in other applications, including banking apps (for example Revolut and local banking/service apps in my country). I recently added a new fingerprint to the device. I understand that after adding a new fingerprint it is necessary to re-enable biometrics in applications again. However, in Bitwarden it is now impossible to enable biometric login again. Device information Device: Huawei P30 Pro Android version: Android 10 EMUI / Software version: 12.0.0.149 Device state: - not rooted - bootloader locked Bitwarden app version: 2026.4.0 - Installed from Google Play Store ### Expected Result I should be able to re-enable "Unlock with biometrics" on my device. ### Actual Result Biometric unlock no longer works and cannot be enabled again in Bitwarden, while biometrics continue to work normally in other apps. ### Screenshots or Videos <img width="720" height="1560" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/53d833b9-bc39-4132-974e-2dc3d387e896" /> ### Additional Context _No response_ ### Build Version 2026.4.0 ### What server are you connecting to? EU ### Self-host Server Version _No response_ ### Environment Details _No response_ ### Issue Tracking Info - [ ] I understand that work is tracked outside of Github. A PR will be linked to this issue should one be opened to address it, but Bitwarden doesn't use fields like "assigned", "milestone", or "project" to track progress.
GiteaMirror added the bugapp:password-manager labels 2026-06-09 10:05:19 -05:00
Author
Owner

@bitwarden-bot commented on GitHub (May 19, 2026):

Thank you for your report! We've added this to our internal board for review.
ID: PM-37744

<!-- gh-comment-id:4486538779 --> @bitwarden-bot commented on GitHub (May 19, 2026): Thank you for your report! We've added this to our internal board for review. ID: [PM-37744](https://bitwarden.atlassian.net/browse/PM-37744) [PM-37744]: https://bitwarden.atlassian.net/browse/PM-37744?atlOrigin=eyJpIjoiNWRkNTljNzYxNjVmNDY3MDlhMDU5Y2ZhYzA5YTRkZjUiLCJwIjoiZ2l0aHViLWNvbS1KU1cifQ
Author
Owner

@pamperer562580892423 commented on GitHub (May 19, 2026):

Another user here.

And just for clarity:

Biometrics login stopped working

There is no "biometrics login", so that could not have stopped working. You seem to be talking about "Unlock with biometrics".

<!-- gh-comment-id:4486599410 --> @pamperer562580892423 commented on GitHub (May 19, 2026): Another user here. And just for clarity: > Biometrics login stopped working There is no "biometrics login", so that could not have stopped working. You seem to be talking about ["**Unlock** with biometrics"](https://bitwarden.com/help/biometrics/).
Author
Owner

@Krychaz commented on GitHub (May 19, 2026):

Unlock with Biometrics requires Class 3 Biometric Sensors - https://bitwarden.com/help/biometrics/#set-up-biometrics-for-mobile According to what I have found - P30 Pro does not have such capabilities.

<!-- gh-comment-id:4488820521 --> @Krychaz commented on GitHub (May 19, 2026): Unlock with Biometrics requires Class 3 Biometric Sensors - https://bitwarden.com/help/biometrics/#set-up-biometrics-for-mobile According to what I have found - P30 Pro does not have such capabilities.
Author
Owner

@gchmurka123 commented on GitHub (May 19, 2026):

Adding another data point with hard evidence:

Device: HUAWEI VOG-L29 (P30 Pro), Android 10 (API 29), EMUI 10.1.0.150 (C431E19R2P5)

I built a small test app calling BiometricManager directly to confirm what class the sensor reports:

  • android.hardware.fingerprint = true
  • android.hardware.biometrics = false
  • android.hardware.strongbox_keystore = false
  • BiometricManager.canAuthenticate() = 0 (SUCCESS)

So the fingerprint sensor is fully functional, but the framework classifies it as Class 2 / BIOMETRIC_WEAK – which is why Bitwarden refuses to use it.

This affects a lot of devices that are otherwise working perfectly:

  • All Huawei devices that lost Google certification after 2019
  • Several older Samsung / Xiaomi models that had their fingerprint downgraded from STRONG to WEAK via security patches
  • Anything with a locked bootloader where the user can't flash a fix

For all of us the current outcome is the same – we have to type the master password every single time, which paradoxically pushes people toward shorter, weaker master passwords (or 4-digit pin) out of frustration. A working WEAK fingerprint plus a strong master password is realistically more secure than NO biometric at all and a 4-character PIN.

Maybe it would be possible to add the option of using a weak fingerprint sensor - for better security?

<!-- gh-comment-id:4491500467 --> @gchmurka123 commented on GitHub (May 19, 2026): Adding another data point with hard evidence: **Device:** HUAWEI VOG-L29 (P30 Pro), Android 10 (API 29), EMUI 10.1.0.150 (C431E19R2P5) I built a small test app calling `BiometricManager` directly to confirm what class the sensor reports: - `android.hardware.fingerprint` = **true** - `android.hardware.biometrics` = **false** - `android.hardware.strongbox_keystore` = **false** - `BiometricManager.canAuthenticate()` = **0 (SUCCESS)** So the fingerprint sensor is fully functional, but the framework classifies it as Class 2 / BIOMETRIC_WEAK – which is why Bitwarden refuses to use it. This affects a *lot* of devices that are otherwise working perfectly: - All Huawei devices that lost Google certification after 2019 - Several older Samsung / Xiaomi models that had their fingerprint downgraded from STRONG to WEAK via security patches - Anything with a locked bootloader where the user can't flash a fix For all of us the current outcome is the same – we have to type the master password every single time, which paradoxically pushes people toward shorter, weaker master passwords (or 4-digit pin) out of frustration. A working WEAK fingerprint plus a strong master password is realistically more secure than NO biometric at all and a 4-character PIN. Maybe it would be possible to add the option of using a weak fingerprint sensor - for better security?
Author
Owner

@pamperer562580892423 commented on GitHub (May 20, 2026):

So the fingerprint sensor is fully functional, but the framework classifies it as Class 2 / BIOMETRIC_WEAK – which is why Bitwarden refuses to use it.

If the criteria for that are met, this seems to be the "expected behaviour" then - and not a bug per se.

Maybe it would be possible to add the option of using a weak fingerprint sensor - for better security?

And that sounds like a feature request.

<!-- gh-comment-id:4503369969 --> @pamperer562580892423 commented on GitHub (May 20, 2026): > So the fingerprint sensor is fully functional, but the framework classifies it as Class 2 / BIOMETRIC_WEAK – which is why Bitwarden refuses to use it. If the criteria for that are met, this seems to be the "expected behaviour" then - and not a bug per se. > Maybe it would be possible to add the option of using a weak fingerprint sensor - for better security? And that sounds like a feature request.
Author
Owner

@gchmurka123 commented on GitHub (May 21, 2026):

Maybe it would be possible to add the option of using a weak fingerprint sensor - for better security?

And that sounds like a feature request.

I fully agree

<!-- gh-comment-id:4507886225 --> @gchmurka123 commented on GitHub (May 21, 2026): > > Maybe it would be possible to add the option of using a weak fingerprint sensor - for better security? > > And that sounds like a feature request. I fully agree
Author
Owner

@Cosaque-edu commented on GitHub (May 21, 2026):

found a workaround there https://github.com/bitwarden/android/issues/6898 but fully agree with you

<!-- gh-comment-id:4509604582 --> @Cosaque-edu commented on GitHub (May 21, 2026): found a workaround there https://github.com/bitwarden/android/issues/6898 but fully agree with you
Author
Owner

@dexianox commented on GitHub (May 26, 2026):

The situation is similar on my Mi Max 3 (Android 10).
Biometrics stop working in Bitwarden on my device.
Biometric protection is enabled and working on the device.
Image

<!-- gh-comment-id:4543773113 --> @dexianox commented on GitHub (May 26, 2026): The situation is similar on my Mi Max 3 (Android 10). Biometrics stop working in Bitwarden on my device. Biometric protection is enabled and working on the device. <img width="1080" height="2160" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e3cb5168-2b54-4b21-b10f-5c31acc2d838" />
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Reference: github-starred/android#116284