A lot of noise has been made when Sony decided to disable the fingerprint sensor in their newest flagships, the Xperia XZ along with the X Compact when it hit the U.S. stores. Due to an existing patent of a power button that doubles as a fingerprint sensor in the U.S., Sony had no choice but to remove the feature in order to sell their new phones in the country. As suspected, this is just a software limitation as the sensor is still baked in the unit, although non-functional.

How to Activate the Fingerprint Sensor in Xperia XZ, X Compact

Ubergizmo reported that a simple fix can now be done in order for the U.S. owners to activate the fingerprint sensors in their Sony Xperia XZ and X Compact. A complete guide can be seen over at XperiaBlog and it involves flashing a different firmware, specifically a U.K. firmware in lieu of the U.S. one.

This process may alienate some users who are not familiar with this Android practice. They are advised to not continue if unsure. However, to those who love their new Sony Xperia XZ or X Compact, yet feeling a little left out with the absence of fingerprint sensors, this may shed a little light of hope.

Xperia XZ, X Compact Specs

The Sony Xperia XZ is the newest offering from Sony. Packed with a Snapdragon 820 processor, 3GB RAM and 23 megapixel camera that introduced the first of its kind, 5-axis stabilization. The X Compact, on the other hand, is the company's continuation to its successful line of flagship specifications packed in a smaller body that holds a particular niche in the smartphone industry.

With this development, one cannot help but be optimistic of the future that Sony may hold in the U.S. Though definitely, this hiccup took some would-have-been customers from the struggling branch of Sony conglomerate.