Home
News
You are here

Android 16 allows Pixel users to unlock their phones even if they can't find the fingerprint sensor

0comments

By Alan Friedman

Published: Mar 24, 2025, 12:35 AM

The Pixel 9 Pro XL is held with the rear panel facing the camera.

Starting with the Pixel 6 series which was released in 2021, all Pixel models feature an under-display fingerprint sensor. For the biometric reader to be working on these Pixel devices, the screen must be on. Most smartphones don't have this restriction and Google is looking to remove it from the under-display fingerprint scanners used on the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9a models.

With Android 16 Developer Preview 2, Google added the Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock feature only to the Pixel 9 line. But with the latest Android 16 Beta 3 release, the feature is available to all Pixel models with the under-display fingerprint scanner running the latest Android 16 Beta. Unless Google were to remove the feature before the launch of the stable Android 16 update due out next quarter, those of you afraid to touch Beta software will get the Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock feature with the stable version of Android 16.

What this feature does is allow you to use your fingerprint to unlock your Pixel even if the screen is off. If you don't want to wait for this feature to arrive with the stable Android 16 release and downloading Beta software on your phone makes you too nervous, you can make sure that your display is never completely dark. This can be done by enabling the always-on display on your Pixel by going to Settings > Display & touch > Lock screen and toggle on "Always show time and info."

Screenshot shows how you can enable the Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock feature in Android 16.

With Android 16 Beta 3, Pixel users can enable the Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock feature. | Image credit-PhoneArena

Whether you just installed Android 16 Beta 3 or you are waiting for the stable Android 16 release, the Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock feature will be disabled by default. If you want to turn it on once you've installed the Android 16 in either beta or stable form, go to Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Fingerprint Unlock, enter your PIN > Fingerprint Unlock and toggle on Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock. With the feature on, even if the screen is off, putting your finger on the area of the display where the fingerprint scanner can be found will unlock the phone.

If you do have the always-on screen disabled to improve the battery life on your Pixel, you might want to have the Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock feature toggled on. This way you'll be able to unlock your device even when the display is off.

$349

$799

$450 off (56%)

Mint Mobile now sells the Google Pixel 10 with a massive $450 discount. The promo is available on select color variants with 128GB of storage. You also get a 12-month unlimited data plan for $180 instead of $360.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$524

$999

$475 off (48%)

Grab the pro-grade, compact Pixel 10 Pro at Mint Mobile with a 12-month unlimited plan, and you can save a huge $475. The data plan comes with a discount, too: 50% off, to be exact.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$499

$1199

$700 off (58%)

The high-end Gemini AI-enhanced Pixel 10 Pro XL is now available with a mind-blowing discount. You can now save $700 on the phone, plus 50% off unlimited 12-month plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$1399

$1799

$400 off (22%)

The foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold is another standout holiday offer. Right now, you can get the device for $400 off at Mint Mobile. On top of that, you save $180 on 12-month unlimited data plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile

View Full Bio

Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.

Read the latest from Alan Friedman