Setting up Debian based Linux PC with Fingerprint Authentication

Here’s the complete step-by-step guide including cosmic-greeter setup for fingerprint login on Pop!_OS:_OS

#

 

Fingerprint Setup on Pop!_OS (Lenovo ThinkPad with COSMIC)

##

1.
1. Install Required Packages
   ```bash
   

sudo apt update && sudo apt install fprintd libpam-fprintd

2.

2. Reinstall cosmic-greeter (if needed)
   . Ensure the login manager is working:
    

sudo apt install --reinstall cosmic-greeter

3.

3. Enable Fingerprint in PAM
   

sudo pam-auth-update

4. Use arrow keys to select "Fingerprint authentication".
    Press Space, then Tab → Enter.
   4.Enter
5. Enroll Your Fingerprint
   

fprintd-enroll

6. Swipe your finger until you see enroll-completed.
    You can specify a finger:
   finger

fprintd-enroll -f right-index-finger

5.

7. Reboot
   

sudo reboot

After reboot:

reboot

1. Go to Settings > Users — you should see "Fingerprint Login" enabled.
   6.enabled
2. Use Fingerprint
   
3. At login: Swipe instead of typing password.password


4. For sudo: Run sudo ls and use your finger.
   finger

 

Troubleshooting

1. No fingerprint option?
   sudo pam-auth-update --enable fprintd

BIOS conflict (ThinkPad):

Enter BIOS → Security → Fingerprint → Disable "Predesktop Authentication".