Android 16 Brings Screen-Off Fingerprint Unlock to All Pixel Phones, Including Pixel 6a
Since the Pixel 6, all Google Pixel phones (excluding folding screen models) have had an under-screen fingerprint function. But unlike most smartphones, Pixel phones can only be unlocked with your fingerprint when the screen is on. According to media reports, this limitation will be optimized in the upcoming Android 16 update.
New Fingerprint Unlock Feature Coming to Android 16
Android 16 will add a “screen-off fingerprint unlock” feature that allows users to unlock their phone with the screen off. The path to enable this feature in Google Pixel phones is: “Settings” > “Security & Privacy” > “Device Unlock” > “Face & Fingerprint Unlock” > “Fingerprint Unlock,” and then turn on “Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock” in the “When using fingerprint unlock” option.
Once enabled, simply press the fingerprint recognition area when the screen is off, and the phone screen will light up and unlock.
Feature Evolution Through Beta Testing
Google first tested the feature in the second developer preview of Android 16 but initially limited it to the Pixel 9 series. In the Android 16 Beta 3 version, Google extended it to all Pixel models. The media said that Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 Pro, and other models were found to be available after actual testing. There’s no indication yet that Google will remove the feature in the official version of Android 16.
Options Until Official Release
If you don’t want to wait for Android 16 to be released to the general public or join the beta program, the only current alternative is to turn on ‘Always-On‘ to unlock it with your fingerprint anytime. Otherwise, wait until Android 16 is released, and then go to the fingerprint unlock settings to manually turn on “Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock,” which is turned off by default.
