Until now, Pixel phone users had to systematically wake up the screen before being able to use the fingerprint sensor. A surprising requirement, especially given the competition, which has been offering this feature for years. With Android 16, Google is changing the game, and not just for its latest models.
Unlock your Pixel with your fingerprint even when the screen is off
The fingerprint sensor on Pixel smartphones, as powerful as it is, has long suffered from an absurd limitation: it doesn't work unless the screen is on. This rule even applies to the recent Pixel 9, which is equipped with a more advanced ultrasonic sensor. As a result, you had to systematically activate the screen manually or rely on the Always-on Display to be able to unlock your phone. A redundant process that contrasted with those offered by other brands for a long time, such as Samsung or Xiaomi, among others.
Android 16, expected in the second quarter of 2025, promises to put an end to this oddity. Google had started This evolution discreetly appeared in Developer Preview 2 of Android 16, by activating the "Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock" function on the Pixel 9. Good news: beta 3 now extends this option to older Pixels, starting with the Pixel 8.
A real time saver in everyday life
In concrete terms, activating this function allows the Pixel screen to automatically light up when you place your finger on the sensor. If the fingerprint is recognized, the phone unlocks, without any further manipulation. To access it, go to: Settings > Security and Privacy > Device Unlock > Fingerprint.
This update won't be a game changer for those already using the Always-On Display, as the sensor remains active in this mode. But for everyone else, this change removes an unnecessary gesture and makes the user experience smoother. Google is therefore only catching up with the competition here. A welcome adjustment, at the image of Android 16, which seems to focus on small improvements rather than big changes.
Source: Android Authority
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