---
title: Using Android biometrics for authentication with PingID
description: "If your Android device supports FIDO2 biometrics, you can use the built-in biometrics in your Android to authenticate with PingID for a secure sign-on experience. To set up your Android device for secure authentication with PingID, you need to register or 'pair' it with your account."
component: pingid-user-guide
page_id: pingid-user-guide:secure_authentication_with_pingid:pid_using_android_biometrics_auth
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingid-user-guide/secure_authentication_with_pingid/pid_using_android_biometrics_auth.html
revdate: July 13, 2023
section_ids:
  pairing-your-android-biometrics-device: Pairing your Android biometrics device
  before-you-begin: Before you begin
  about-this-task: About this task
  steps: Steps
  result: Result:
  result-2: Result:
  related-links: Related links
  related-links-2: Related links
---

# Using Android biometrics for authentication with PingID

If your Android device supports FIDO2 biometrics, you can use the built-in biometrics in your Android to authenticate with PingID for a secure sign-on experience. To set up your Android device for secure authentication with PingID, you need to register or 'pair' it with your account.

You can use Android biometrics to access your account or apps using a web browser.

|   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| - | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   | PingID mobile app using biometrics (fingerprint, face, or iris authentication) and Biometric web authentication for Android are different methods of authentication:- [PingID mobile app](../pid_mobile_app/ug_pid_mobile_app_for_ios_and_android.html): Allows you to authenticate when accessing your account from various different devices. Requires you to install PingID mobile app on your mobile device and to pair it with your account.

- Biometrics authentication: Allows you to authenticate using your Android device's built-in biometrics, when signing on to your account without downloading an app. You can only sign on to your account from the same device with which you want to authenticate. |

* Web only

  ## Pairing your Android biometrics device

  To set up biometrics authentication on your Android, you need to register or 'pair' your device with PingID.

  ### Before you begin

  You'll need to:

  * Make sure your device supports FIDO2 biometrics.

  * Set up biometric authentication on your accessing device (such as registering your fingerprints). Follow the manufacturer's guidelines to do so.

  * Ensure you are using a browser that supports the use of FIDO2 biometrics, such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, and that you have the latest version of the browser.

  Follow the instructions below to set up biometrics authentication on your device. The following example is for Android devices.

![An animation showing the process of pairing yourAndroid biometrics device with your account so you can use to authenticate.](_images/cdf1564021403264.gif)

### About this task

To set up biometrics authentication on your device:

### Steps

1. From your Android biometrics device, sign on to your account or app, and when you see the registration window, click **Start**.

   ![A screen capture of the Registration window showing the Start button.](_images/gak1668088907565.png)

   You'll see the **Add a New Device** window showing the biometrics icon.

   ![A screen capture of the Add a New Device window displaying the biometrics authentication method option.](_images/byl1590056286460.png)

2. In the **Add a New Device** window, click **Biometrics**.

   |   |                                                                                                                                                            |
   | - | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   |   | Tap **Authenticate using Face ID**, even if your device only supports fingerprint authentication. You will be able to authenticate using your fingerprint. |

   #### Result:

   You'll see a window prompting you to authenticate using your biometrics device.

   ![A screen capture showing the biometrics pairing window, requesting you to scan your fingerprint. It also includes a Retry button, if the request times out.](_images/ude1634224458015.png)

3. In the **Alternative Authentication** popup window, select **Authenticate using biometrics** (for Android/other devices). You are prompted to authenticate using your biometrics device.

4. Use your biometrics device to validate your identity (fingerprint or Face ID).

   |   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
   | - | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   |   | * Make sure the **Alternative Authentication** browser window is the active window.

   * If you see a popup message asking if you permit your device to communicate with the biometrics device, select **Allow** or **Yes** to continue. The popup message may differ depending on the browser you are using. |

   #### Result:

   You'll see a green checkmark indicating your device has been paired successfully, and you are automatically signed on to your account or app.

5. The next time you want to sign on to your account or application, follow the prompt to authenticate using your biometrics device.

   For more information, see [Authenticating with PingID using an Android biometrics](pid_auth_using_android_biometrics_authentication.html).

### Related links

* [Troubleshooting FIDO2 biometrics for Android](pid_troubleshooting_fido2_biometrics_for_android.html)

## Related links

* [Authenticating with PingID using an Android biometrics](pid_auth_using_android_biometrics_authentication.html)
