Samsung Electronics has updated software to fix problems with fingerprint recognition features on its flagship Galaxy S10 and Note 10 smartphones.

The company issued an apology via its customer support app Samsung Members and told its Galaxy phone users to update their biometric authentication to the latest software version.

The bug on the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 devices allowed them to be unlocked regardless of the biometric data registered.

Samsung has said the issue can happen when patterns appearing on certain protectors that come with silicon cases are recognized along with fingerprints.

“Samsung Electronics takes the security of products very seriously and will make sure to strengthen security through continuing improvement and updates to enhance biometric authentication functions,” the company said on its Korean app.

Samsung's ultrasonic fingerprint sensors have been fooled in the recent past, with tech reviewers using silicon protectors or a small doll.

The issue had become so serious for Samsung that financial institutions had started to blackball the devices and withdraw the ability to use the fingerprint readers to access accounts and authorise transactions. Banks in the U.K., Korea and China had led the way, with many more expected to follow.

The Qualcomm in-display reader in the S10 and Note10 has always challenged screen protectors, leaving a small air gap between the plastic and the device.