Fingerprint enrollment registers a user's fingerprint data with the Biofire Smart Gun, allowing tactile authentication while gripping the Smart Gun. High-quality fingerprint enrollment supports fast, reliable arming when needed.
Handle your Smart Gun safely and responsibly at all times. Failure to follow proper firearm safety practices can lead to injury, death, and/or damage.
- Keep the muzzle of your Smart Gun pointed in a safe direction at all times.
- Keep your finger off the trigger of your Smart Gun until ready to fire.
- Only point the Smart Gun at intended targets, and always know your target and what lies beyond your target.
- Always treat your Smart Gun as if it is loaded, even after clearing it.
- Make sure your Smart Gun is unloaded and clear before any cleaning or service and always wear eye protection when cleaning or servicing your Smart Gun.
- Always read and follow the Product Manual.
The fingerprint sensor is located on the front grip of the Smart Gun, positioned where the user's middle finger rests when holding the firearm. When the Smart Gun is picked up, the pad of the user's middle finger should land naturally on the fingerprint sensor, and the Smart Gun authenticates and becomes armed.
High quality enrollment is important, as the quality of your enrollment directly influences the effectiveness of the Smart Gun reading biometrics in the future, so Biofire recommends that users take their time and follow all guidelines in the enrollment process.
The Smart Gun stores biometric data exclusively on the Smart Gun in fully encrypted form. Enrolled biometrics are secure, even from access by Biofire.
All personal information collected is subject to Biofire's Privacy Policy available at smartgun.com/legal/privacy-policy
Before Enrollment
Power on the Smart Gun by plugging it into the Dock and ensure the Dock has been set up and onboarded before enrolling a user's fingerprint biometrics. Plug the Dock into wall power during the enrollment process to help prevent interruptions. Please refer to the Dock Onboarding article if the Dock has not been onboarded.
Grip Fit Verification
Ensure the Smart Gun fits the user's hand naturally before beginning fingerprint enrollment. The user's middle finger should land comfortably on the fingerprint sensor without stretching or repositioning.
If your finger is going past the sensor with a normal grip, adjust with grip using the included backstraps. Please refer to the Gripping the Smart Gun article for more assistance.
Finger Preparation
For the best enrollment results:
- Ensure the middle finger is clean and dry
- Remove any dirt, oil, or moisture
- Avoid enrolling immediately after washing hands (wait for skin to normalize)
- Gently rest finger on the sensor, avoid excessive pressure or movement
- Check for cuts, bandages, or other obstructions on the middle finger
The Enrollment Process
Shooting Hand Enrollment
Enroll using the hand used to shoot to ensure the enrollment biometric data matches the user's natural shooting grip.
- Hold the Smart Gun in the user's shooting hand
- Support the gun with the user's non-dominant hand if needed
- Maintain a natural, comfortable grip throughout
Proper Grip Technique
Proper grip is important for consistent authentication:
- High grip on the beavertail
Position the hand as high as possible on the grip
- Fingers wrapped around the grip
All fingers should be in contact with the grip
- Middle finger on sensor
The pad of the user's middle finger should rest directly on the fingerprint sensor with light, consistent pressure
Multiple Captures Required
The Dock will prompt the enrolling user to provide three successful fingerprint readings to complete enrollment, giving the system sufficient data to support reliable fingerprint recognition.
Between Each Scan:
- Completely release the grip on the Smart Gun, removing presence from the Guardian Biometric Engine
- Set the Smart Gun down or support the Smart Gun with the non-dominant hand
- Pick up the Smart Gun again naturally, as the user would in normal use
- Allow the sensor to capture the next fingerprint scan
The process of repetition helps the system learn the user's fingerprint from multiple angles and grip variations.
Dock Prompts
The Dock provides real-time feedback during enrollment:
- Successful Read
The Dock will confirm when a fingerprint capture is successful
- Failed Read
The Dock will prompt the enrolling user to try again if a read fails
- Grip Adjustment
The Dock may suggest adjusting grip if the finger placement is preventing a consistent read
If a Read Fails:
- Ensure the pad of the user's middle finger is centered on the sensor
- Keep the finger still during the capture
- Avoid sliding your finger across the sensor. Place the pad of the middle finger directly down on the sensor
- Gently rest the finger on the fingerprint sensor for each enrollment, avoiding excessive pressure
- Check that the finger is clean and dry
- Adjust the grip if needed for better sensor contact
Post-Enrollment
Fingerprint enrollment is complete once all three successful reads are captured. The system now has the necessary amount of data to recognize the user's fingerprint when they pick up the Smart Gun.
Please refer to page 14 of your Product Manual for more information on the enrollment process.
Tips for Successful Enrollment
Enrollment Consistency
Consistency helps the system build an accurate fingerprint profile. Try to hold the gun the same way for each capture. Practicing picking up and holding the Smart Gun in a shooting stance prior to enrollment may increase comfortability with a user's grip.
Enrollment Pacing
Take time between captures. Rushing can lead to inconsistent grip and poor-quality enrollment data.
Natural Grip
Ensure the enrolling user is holding the gun as naturally as they would when shooting. Don't adjust your grip to accommodate the sensor, let the user's natural grip guide the enrollment.
Full Contact
Ensure the middle finger makes full contact with the sensor. Partial contact or angled placement may result in failed reads.
Multiple Attempts Are Normal
It's normal to need multiple attempts during enrollment. The system is designed to require high-quality data to support reliable operation, which means the system is selective during enrollment. Simply adjust and try again if the Dock indicates a failed read.
Troubleshooting
My finger doesn't reach the sensor comfortably:
- Try a different backstrap size to adjust grip fit
- If you are enrolling as a secondary user, your grip size may be different than the primary owners
- The grip can be adjusted by removing backstraps to make it smaller, or adding backstraps to make it bigger, allowing for the pad of your finger to more naturally fall centrally on the sensor
- Please refer to the Gripping the Smart Gun article for guidance
The sensor isn't recognizing my fingerprint:
- Ensure the finger is clean and dry
- Keep the finger still during capture
- Check for cuts, calluses, or other skin irregularities
I'm getting inconsistent reads:
- Focus on gripping the gun the same way each time
- Ensure full finger contact with the sensor
- Consider re-enrolling for improved data quality