fprintd-verify

Verify all stored fingerprints for the current user

$ fprintd-verify

$ fprintd-verify [[-f|--finger]] [left-thumb|left-index-finger|left-middle-finger|left-ring-finger|left-little-finger|right-thumb|...]

$ fprintd-verify [username]

$ fprintd-verify [[-f|--finger]] [finger_name] [username]

$ fprintd-verify --g-fatal-warnings

$ fprintd-verify [[-h|--help]]

fprintd-verify [--finger FINGER] [--check-only]

-f, --finger FINGER
    Verify only the specified finger (e.g., right-index-finger). See fprintd-enroll(1) for names.

--check-only
    No prompting: exit 0 if verify possible, 1 otherwise.

fprintd-verify is a command-line tool for the fprintd fingerprint authentication daemon on Linux. It verifies the current user's fingerprint by comparing scans from a connected reader against enrolled templates in the fprintd database.

By default, it interactively prompts the user to scan their finger one or more times until a match succeeds or the user aborts with Ctrl+C. This supports authentication workflows, such as PAM integration for login, sudo, or screen unlocking.

Key features include finger selection for precise verification and a non-interactive mode for scripts. Success relies on hardware compatibility, enrolled prints (via fprintd-enroll), and the daemon running as a system service.

Common in distributions like Fedora and Ubuntu with fingerprint support, it enhances biometric security where supported.

Requires fprintd service active, enrolled prints, and compatible reader. May need multiple scans; fails silently on unsupported hardware.

0: verified
1: failed/no match
2: user cancelled

fprintd-verify --finger left-index-finger
or fprintd-verify --check-only for scripts.

Part of libfprint/fprintd project since ~2010. Evolved for modern readers; integrated in major distros post-2015.

fprintd-enroll(1), fprintd-list(1), fprintd-delete(1), pam_fprintd(8)