Google’s latest Android 16 Beta 3 update doesn’t introduce any flashy new features at first glance. But the company might have finally fixed one of the most annoying quirks of Pixel fingerprint unlocking.
With Android 16 Beta 3, Pixel phones can now unlock with the fingerprint scanner even when the screen is off.
First spotted by Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman, the feature lets Pixel users bypass the extra step of waking the display before using the fingerprint scanner.
Pixel phones can now unlock with screen off
Google has used an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor since the Pixel 6 series, but it always required users to wake the screen before unlocking. That’s finally changing with Android 16 which has an option to authenticate directly from a black screen.
The setting can be enabled in Settings > Security and privacy > Device unlock > Fingerprint Unlock, where users will find a new toggle for Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock under “When using Fingerprint Unlock.” Once activated, you can place your finger on the sensor area to wake and unlock the phone in one step.
The feature is most useful for users who keep Always-on Display (AOD) disabled. If you keep the AOD on, the scanner already works without fully waking the phone, so the change will be less noticeable to you.
According to Android Authority, screen-off fingerprint unlocking first appeared in Android 16 Developer Preview 2 but was initially limited to the Pixel 9 series. But with Beta 3, it now works on all supported Pixel devices, starting from the Pixel 6 series. Rahman tested it on the Pixel 6a and Pixel 7 Pro, confirming that it works as expected.
It’s a small but meaningful change for Pixel users who have been waiting for a more seamless unlocking experience.
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