Samsung confirmed a security issue in its Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 devices. Users have been reporting they can bypass the fingerprint reader by using a silicon screen protector.
The issue relates to the Galaxy ultrasonic fingerprint sensors used to unlock the device. When used with certain silicone screen protecting cases, the device can mistakenly recognize 3-dimensional patterns from the screen protector as a user’s fingerprint.
“To prevent any further issues, we advise that Galaxy Note10/10+ and S10/S10+/S10 5G users who use such covers to remove the cover, delete all previous fingerprints and newly register their fingerprints,” Samsung said in a statement on Thursday.
Multiple users around the world have reported the issue. For instance, one user in the UK told The Sun that anyone could access her Samsung phone after she fitted the device with a screen protector recently bought on eBay.
Samsung said they will provide a patch within the next week. Once the patch is available, users should scan their fingerprint again in its entirety.