Linux Mint 22.2 is set to introduce native fingerprint login support through a new desktop application called Fingwit. This feature allows users with a compatible fingerprint reader to easily enroll and authenticate their fingerprints for various tasks, enhancing security and convenience.
With Fingwit, users can:
- Log into Linux Mint using their fingerprint
- Unlock their screen with a fingerprint
- Authenticate
sudocommands using a fingerprint - Execute admin applications via
pkexecwith fingerprint verification
This functionality leverages the same fingerprint reader support found in Ubuntu, as Linux Mint is built on the Ubuntu platform. The app uses fprintd, the fingerprint daemon employed by Ubuntu, coupled with a more intelligent Pluggable Authentication Module (PAM) designed to manage cases where fingerprint authentication might fail.
Clement Lefebvre, the lead of the Linux Mint project, provided an example scenario involving encrypted home directories, stating that Fingwit aims to intelligently switch between fingerprint and password authentication to prevent session crashes under such conditions.
This attention to detail in how fingerprint support operates contributes to Linux Mint’s appeal, showcasing its user-centric approach. Additionally, Fingwit is an X-App, designed for compatibility with various desktop environments and Linux distributions beyond just the Cinnamon desktop.
The Fingwit source code is available for users interested in exploring it ahead of its launch. Linux Mint 22.2 is anticipated to be released this summer, likely in late July or early August.
For more information, you can visit the Fingwit GitHub page.