Linux: App freezes when enabling App Lock if fingerprint authentication is not provided

[felipegenef]

Description

Linux Desktop: App freezes when enabling App Lock if fingerprint reader is present

Description

When enabling Security → App Lock on Linux systems with a fingerprint reader, the application silently waits for fingerprint authentication. If the fingerprint is not provided, the app freezes and eventually closes without showing any prompt or error explaining what is happening.

This makes it appear as if the app crashes when trying to enable App Lock.

Environment

• OS: Zorin OS (Ubuntu-based Linux)
• Hardware: Framework 16 laptop
• Fingerprint reader: Goodix MOC Fingerprint Sensor
• App: Ente Auth (Linux desktop)

Steps to Reproduce

1. Run Ente Auth on a Linux system with a configured fingerprint reader.
2. Navigate to Security → App Lock.
3. Click the option to enable App Lock.
4. Do not place a finger on the fingerprint reader.

Expected Behavior

• The app should prompt the user that fingerprint authentication is required.
• If authentication is not provided, the app should either:
  • show a prompt asking for fingerprint input, or
  • allow cancellation without freezing.

Actual Behavior

• The app silently waits for fingerprint authentication.
• If no fingerprint is provided:
  • the UI freezes
  • the application eventually closes.
• No visible prompt or explanation is shown.

Terminal Logs

I ran the application from the terminal and observed the following logs when attempting to enable App Lock:

Device at /net/reactivated/Fprint/Device/0
Using device /net/reactivated/Fprint/Device/0
Fingerprints for user <user> on Goodix MOC Fingerprint Sensor (press):
 - #0: right-index-finger
[AuthUtil][INFO] Requesting authentication
Using device /net/reactivated/Fprint/Device/0
Listing enrolled fingers:
 - #0: right-index-finger
Verify started!
Verifying: right-index-finger

This suggests the application is waiting for fingerprint verification but does not display any UI prompt.

Workaround

I was able to enable App Lock by:

1. Clicking the App Lock button.
2. Placing my finger on the fingerprint reader.
3. Clicking the App Lock button again while the fingerprint verification was active.

After doing this, the lock was successfully enabled.

Possible Cause

It appears the desktop app may be reusing mobile authentication behavior. On mobile platforms, the OS automatically shows a fingerprint prompt when authentication is requested. On Linux desktop, the authentication request seems to occur without a visible prompt, leaving the user unaware that fingerprint input is required.

Adding a visible prompt or fallback (e.g., password authentication) would likely resolve the confusion.

Version

v4.4.17

What product are you using?

Ente Auth

What platform are you using?

Desktop - Linux

[AmanRajSinghMourya]

@felipegenef Yes this issue has been coming up repeatedly and we are aware of it. This issue will be fixed in next release.
Till that time if possible could you switch to use the pin/password lock to avoid getting stuck edit/trash screens