Summary
- Android 16 has a model new perform which lets Pixel 9 prospects unlock their phone with their fingerprint when the show display screen is off.
- The perform probably makes use of the Pixel 9’s ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.
- To permit this perform on Android 16, prospects can navigate to Settings > Security & Privateness > Fingerprint Unlock.
Android 15 solely arrived not too way back, nonetheless converse is already shifting to Android 16. The next most important substitute for Android is now obtainable in developer preview, and it’s acquired a useful new fingerprint unlock perform.
With Android 16 Developer Preview 2 there’s a new perform referred to as “Show-off fingerprint unlock” that allows prospects to unlock their phone with its fingerprint sensor when the machine’s show display screen is completely off.
Correct now, the perform is simply supported on the Pixel 9 sequence, probably because of the telephones have an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. In response to 9to5Google, the perform pops up throughout the Settings search for the Pixel 8 Skilled, nonetheless there may be not an selection to permit it, probably because of it makes use of an optical fingerprint sensor. It’s unclear if completely different Android telephones with ultrasonic fingerprint sensors will help this perform ultimately, nonetheless hopefully, they’ll.

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One of the simplest ways to permit Show-off fingerprint unlock
This perform is good for people who don’t use always-on present
Within the occasion you are on Android 16’s latest developer preview and want to take a look at this perform in your Pixel 9, head over to Settings > Security & privateness > Machine unlock > Face & Fingerprint Unlock > Fingerprint Unlock to permit it.
Within the occasion you utilize always-on present (AOD), this perform is probably not an enormous deal to you, as the facility to unlock your phone alongside together with your fingerprint is always there. Nonetheless, in case you occur to’re like me and don’t use AOD in your Pixel, this perform is a welcome addition and takes advantage of the Pixel 9’s ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.
An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor makes use of sound waves, not delicate, to grab your fingerprint, so it might be used when the present is turned off. Optical fingerprint sensors work by shining a light-weight in your finger and taking a picture. Since optical relies on delicate, it’s further refined to utilize in low-light environments and when the show display screen is off.
Within the occasion you are not ready to take a look at Android 16 merely however, do not be involved, as Google not too way back launched its December Pixel Attribute Drop, which is full of new choices to take a look at in your Pixel.

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