Google Is "Evaluating" A Firmware Update To Add Fingerprint Scanner Gestures To Nexus 6P/5X

We had told you earlier that the Pixel exclusive features - Night Light & Fingerprint Scanner gestures won't be coming to the Nexus 6P and 5X. With the help of fingerprint gestures, a Google Pixel  or Pixel XL user can simply swipe down the fingerprint sensor to get into the notification panel directly. Google had said that these features will not be extended to 5X/6P because they lacked the essential hardware to support these features.

In an insult to Google, Redditors pointed out that both the Google Pixel/Pixel XL and Nexus 5X/6P use the same fingerprint sensor, the OneTouch FPC1025. This, as expected, thus drew a lot of criticism from the Nexus owners.

Android Police reached out to Google to get a clarification on the issue. Nick Desaulniers, Software Engineer at Google, said that the support for the fingerprint gestures can be added but would require updating the firmware and the hardware abstraction layer (HAL). This was followed up by email responses from Google PR which stated that "the fingerprint hardware is the same but the firmware is different on Pixel (eg. supports swipe gestures)" and Ian Lake, Developer Advocate at Google, who wrote, "Same hardware doesn't mean same capabilities, alas." Ian Lake here is pointing to the older firmware version embedded in 6P & 5X's fingerprint sensors. According to him, the Pixel and Pixel XL run the latest firmware version which allows these devices to support these gestures. But again, another question arises here, can't the firmware of the fingerprint sensors in 5X/6P be updated through an OTA update?

Asked about this possibility, Google replied that they are "evaluating" a firmware update through which this might be possible. "Evaluating" does by no means refer to a 'guaranteed' update. All we can conclude from here is that Google is taking in user feedback and planning it's actions accordingly. That said and done, we do hope that this update comes the way of Nexus owners.

Until the update comes your way, you can use the Fingerprint Quick Actions app to activate gestures and customise them on your Nexus device.

Krittin Kalra

Krittin Kalra is a 20 year old Android freak. Striving for passions, chasing down his dreams and living a life without regrets is his sole mantra. A bit moody, he also does custom ROM reviews for AndroGuider. Currently pursuing his B.Tech, he aspires to follow his heart.