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How To Install Howdy – Facial Recognition for Ubuntu

January 15, 2025, Written by 0 comment

What exactly does Ubuntu Howdy offer and how does it work?

Devised by Microsoft, Windows Hello is a biometric facial recognition tool that grants secure, fast, and user-friendly access to one’s computer. Lastly, the infrared computer hardware and software are used to develop and authenticate face maps.

Ubuntu has struggled to come up with its own native facial recognition technology. Thankfully, Howdy came up with an open-source substitute that allows Linux users to utilize facial recognition in their systems.

Prerequisites for Installing Howdy

To install it in your system, make sure to check first whether your system has the following requirements:

  • Ubuntu 24.04 System: It must be fully updated.
  • Compatible Webcam: This webcam should preferably support infrared detection, but it could be replaced with an ordinary one.
  • Administrative privileges: Installing Howdy necessitates Sudo permissions.

Howdy Installation on Ubuntu 24.04 Step-by-Step Guide

Walk through Howdy’s installation on your Ubuntu 24.04 computer faster and easier.

1. Update the System Package

To update the system so that all packages are up to date, just type:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Install Dependencies

Before installing Howdy, you’ll need some additional software. Run this command to install the required dependencies:

sudo apt install git build-essential cmake libpython3-dev libssl-dev libffi-dev

3. Add the Howdy Repository

Next, add the Howdy repository to your system using the following commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:boltgolt/howdy
sudo apt update

4. Install Howdy

sudo apt install howdy

5. Configure Howdy

After installation, you need to configure Howdy. Run the configuration tool:

sudo howdy

This tool will grant you access to face enrollment and facial recognition preference management.

Setting Up Your Face for Authentication

Since you’ve set up Howdy, you might as well give it a face. Here’s how:

  1. Open the Howdy configuration tool. Where’s the “Enroll” button?”
  2. Follow the prompt and you will be required to position yourself in front of your webcam.
  3. Make sure:
    • The lighting is good for your face
    • The face is in the middle of the camera frame
  4. Several images of your face taken at different angles so that Howdy can create a 3D map for more accurate recognition.

Testing Howdy Facial Authentication

Face enrollment done-test Howdy now. Log yourself out again and try to log in using Howdy and your webcam for facial recognition. If your camera is not broken and you configure Howdy correctly, then you should not have to bother with faces and passwords.

If Howdy doesn’t recognize your face, change the lighting, configure the system again, and enroll a new one.

Now that Howdy has been set up and facial authentication is enabled, you can log into your Ubuntu system with your face. This effectively boosts the overall security and convenience associated with it. If at any point you wish to switch off face login for whatever reason, you are free to do so by entering this command:

sudo howdy disable

This will temporarily disable facial recognition without completely removing it.

Common Problems and Solutions

Here are some frequent Howdy problems users may encounter, along with their solutions:

  • Webcam not recognized: Make sure your webcam driver is installed and functioning. You can always check that in device settings, or update it.
  • Facial scans don’t successfully recognize: This could be due to a poorly illuminated space; the better the lighting conditions, the higher the chances of correct recognition. During the enrollment stage, make sure to be seated in front of your webcam with your face in the center of the webcam frame.

How to Uninstall Howdy

If, for any reason, you should wish to remove Howdy from your system, the following commands will do that:

sudo apt remove howdy
sudo apt autoremove

After doing this, Howdy would be completely uninstalled from your system, along with any dependencies associated with it.

Conclusion

Howdy is an easy alternative to bring Windows Hello-style facial recognition to a Linux system and is convenient for fast logins and boosts security over a traditional password login. Howdy would therefore find perfect use for both avid fans of techy solutions and security-oriented users.

vpswala Admin

Savita Sathe is an experienced writer and editor with over 10+ years of professional experience creating engaging content across industries. Whether it's blogs, whitepapers, website copy, emails, social media posts, or more. She develops effective hosting and tech content that helps brands connect with their audiences and achieve business goals.

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