OneDrive for Android now sports fingerprint authentication to lock your files

By Dan Thorp-Lancaster
last updated

Now you can use biometrics to keep your OneDrive files a little more secure.

OneDrive on Android
OneDrive on Android (Image credit: Windows Central)

Microsoft is bolstering OneDrive's security prowess on Android with the adoption of fingerprint authentication for locking down your files. The feature is now rolling out to everyone alongside a new grid view for photos (via MSPU).

Fingerprint authentication comes in addition to the PIN protection already offered by OneDrive. And as security features go, your fingerprint is the much more secure option. If you make a habit of keeping particularly sensitive files in OneDrive, this is a handy addition.

To get started with the new feature, you'll have to navigate to the "Passcode" section of the Settings menu and make sure it's enabled. From there, you can check the box next to "Use fingerprint to authenticate" to require verification whenever OneDrive is accessed from your Android device.

Additionally, the latest update includes a new grid view that's available from the Photos section. Here's a look at the official release notes:

  • In addition to a PIN Code, you'll now be able to use your fingerprint to lock the OneDrive app.
  • We've improved our grid view to help your photos stand out and look their best as well as making it easier than ever to see what photos are getting backed up in the Photos tab.

If you're a regular OneDrive user, you can grab these new features with the latest update available from Google Play now.

See at Google Play (opens in new tab)

Dan Thorp-Lancaster
Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl. 

8 Comments
  • One thing I miss from the Windows Phone days is how I had the ability to delete a photo from my phone, and have it auto delete from One Drive. I can't do that now and can't even do it when photos are backed up to Google drive
  • I agree my pictures are all over the place so I need to look at sorting them out love to have this on one drive though but then again it would have to be the default pics app which you can't do unfortunately on android or not that I've found anyway.
  • I miss Windows Phone too.
  • Iris recognition would've been perfect implementation on OneDrive folders
  • It works pretty well. I use a 950XL and the iris recognition works as well on Onedrive as it does with fingerprint recognition on my desktop. I guess iris recognition will be the next feature coming to Onedrive on Android.
  • Helpful! 🌸
  • I vote for a separate Msft Photos app on Android.
  • Been syncing my desktops with OneDrive for like a year, awesome experience. Choose Properties on the Desktop folder and there is an option to relocate. Choose your preferred OneDrive location.
    Can be used with any other folder too, easy: use the mklink /d command in command line to redirect the folder path to OneDrive.