Ever wanted to get Windows Hello on your Linux machine? Well now you can. | Howdy Linux Setup

[Prodigy_Smit]

DISCLAIMER:  I have not designed or developed this all credit goes to github user boltgolt.

PAGE FOR ORIGINAL CODE: https://github.com/boltgolt/howdy

 

This is a guide to get facial recognition similar to windows hello on Linux with a program called Howdy. This is for most locations where a password is required including and not limited to sudo commands and login to device.

 

Steps to Install and Configure Howdy:

For Ubuntu and all Ubuntu based distros(Pop!OS, Kubuntu, Lubuntu, etc.) /Linux Mint:

Spoiler

In terminal type:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:boltgolt/howdy
sudo apt update
sudo apt install howdy

After typing "sudo apt install howdy" you will be guided through the installation process.

 

After installation we need to configure Howdy.

 

In terminal type:

sudo apt install v4l-utils
sudo v4l2-ctl --list-devices

 

This should give 1 or 2 outputs: e.g.

EasyCamera: EasyCamera (usb-0000:00:14.0-6):
    /dev/video0
    /dev/video1
Generally note down the first option in this case /dev/video0. (If this does not work try the other output)

 

Then type:

sudo howdy config

Find device_path and change it to device_path = /dev/video0 (or to whatever you noted above)

If your device has an ir blaster then set the certainty value to 4 or below.

If it does not and you only have a camera set the certainty value to 4.2.

 

Finally type:

sudo howdy add

And follow onscreen instructions. 

 

To remove faces type:

sudo howdy list

sudo howdy remove face_ID

For Debian:

Spoiler

Download the .deb file from the Releases page and install with gdebi.

For Fedora:

Spoiler

sudo dnf copr enable luya/howdy
sudo dnf install howdy

For Arch:

Spoiler

Install the howdy package from the AUR

Further setup instructions here https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Howdy

If you get stuck anywhere submit a post below and I will be happy to help.

[mahyar]

what about arch?

[Prodigy_Smit]

Just now, mahyar said:

what about arch?

oh shit ill update op.

[mahyar]

from what i understood form the dependences and source it is a win hello reimplementation in python

[Nayr438]

52 minutes ago, mahyar said:

what about arch?

 

51 minutes ago, Prodigy_Smit said:

oh shit ill update op.

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Howdy

[Prodigy_Smit]

2 hours ago, mahyar said:

from what i understood form the dependences and source it is a win hello reimplementation in python

That is basically what it is.