All Pixel phones can now unlock via fingerprint even when the screen is off

The latest Android 16 update for Pixel phones now lets all users unlock their phones using the under-display fingerprint scanner even when the screen is turned off. Android 16 is currently in the Beta phase and Beta 3 was released this month for Pixel phones starting from the Pixel 6 series. Till now, the feature was limited to Pixel 9 phones but has been expanded to older models, excluding foldables. 

The feature titled ‘Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock’ can be found in the Security and Privacy settings, in the Device unlock menu. Once turned on, Pixel phone users will be able to unlock their phones by placing their digits where they typically would for the fingerprint scanner. This will allow users who have ‘Always-on’ display turned off to quickly unlock their phones without having to first tap the display or use the power button. 

There doesn’t seem to be an indicator to identify where the fingerprint scanner is exactly when the screen is off.

Initially, this feature was limited to the Pixel 9 series but Android expert Mishaal Rahman was able to unlock a Pixel 6a using this feature. Rahman added that another tester was able to verify this feature on the Pixel 7 Pro as well. It should be noted that this is still part of a beta release and that the final Android 16 update may not carry this feature.

Android 16 Beta 3 is available for Pixel 6 and newer devices including the Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. However, since the foldables don’t have under-display fingerprint scanners, this feature will not be available.