Google To Introduce Off-Screen Fingerprint Sensor With Android 16 Update
Similar to other smartphones with AMOLED displays, Google Pixel users will now be able to unlock the devices with their fingerprints on the dark screen.
Google Pixel may finally get an off-screen fingerprint sensor with the Android 16 update. Since the release of the Pixel 6, all devices of Google (excluding foldables) have been equipped with an under-display fingerprint scanner. It, however, has a limitation. Unlike other Android phones with the same feature, Pixel users can access the fingerprint sensor only when the screen is on.
Google is set to resolve this issue in the Android 16 update, according to a report by Android Authority.
Similar to other smartphones with AMOLED displays, Google Pixel users will now be able to unlock the devices with their fingerprints on the dark screen. When someone places his finger on the designated area, the screen will illuminate for authorisation. It will unlock if the correct fingerprint is detected.
The feature will need to be activated from the Security & Privacy settings. Pixel users will need to navigate to the device setting and choose ‘Device Unlock’ from ‘Security and Privacy’. They will get the ‘Fingerprint Unlock’ option under the ‘Face & Fingerprint Unlock’ menu, the report added. Next, the Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock toggle has to be enabled from the “when using Fingerprint Unlock” section.
The Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock feature was first teased in the second developer preview of Android 16. Initially, the feature was only made available for the Pixel 9 series. Later in the Beta 3 update, Google expanded it to a wide range of Pixel devices, equipped with under-display fingerprint scanners. The feature is working perfectly even on older models like the Pixel 6a and Pixel 7 Pro.
Pixel users can also enjoy this feature ahead of the release of the stable Android 16. To make that happen, they need to enable ‘Always-on Display’ from the device settings. It lets them use the under-display fingerprint scanner even when the screen is off. After the Android 16 rolls out, users will have to enable the option manually, as it will remain disabled by default.
