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Android 16 now lets all Pixel phones use fingerprint unlock even when the screen is off
The Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock feature expands to all Pixel phones in Android 16 Beta 3
- All Pixel phones can now use the Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock feature in Android 16 Beta 3.
- The Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock feature lets you unlock your Pixel phone even when its screen is off.
- It was first introduced in Android 16 DP2 but only worked on the Pixel 9 series.
Since the Pixel 6, every Pixel phone (excluding foldables) has featured an under-display fingerprint scanner. Unlike many other smartphones, however, Pixel phones currently require the screen to be on for the fingerprint scanner to function. Thankfully, this limitation will be addressed in the upcoming Android 16 update for Pixel.
The Android 16 update for Pixel phones is set to introduce a new Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock feature. When this feature is enabled, the fingerprint scanner will be active even when the screen is off. To enable the Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock feature, navigate to Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Face & Fingerprint Unlock > Fingerprint Unlock. Then, within the “when using Fingerprint Unlock” section, enable the Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock toggle.
