Google is bringing a long-awaited improvement to Pixel 9 users.
The Android 16 release, currently in beta testing, introduces a feature that promises to eliminate a common problem with using the in-screen fingerprint sensor.
The second beta version of Android 16 includes an option called “Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock,” which allows you to unlock your phone using your fingerprint without the need to activate the screen first.
This feature can be accessed from the settings menu by following the route: Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Face & fingerprint unlock.
Unfortunately, the new feature won't be available for all Pixel devices.
According to testing by Android Police News, the option doesn't appear on the Pixel 7, which uses an optical sensor to read fingerprints.
The explanation is simple: optical sensors require finger illumination in order to analyze the fingerprint, while the ultrasonic sensors built into the Pixel 9 can work without this step.
The Pixel 9 range has already taken a major step forward by adopting ultrasonic fingerprint sensors, which offer greater speed and solved many of the problems experienced on previous models.
With the introduction of the feature in Android 16, the user experience will be even smoother.
It is expected that other phones with ultrasonic sensors, such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 and older Galaxy S series models, will also benefit from this feature once Android 16 becomes widely available.
Unexpectedly, Google has released beta versions of Android 16 much earlier than in previous years.
Usually, the final version of the operating system was released between October and December, but now there's a chance that Android 16 will be ready by May 2025, according to a preliminary timeline.
That date would coincide with Google I/O, the annual software conference.
In addition to the improved fingerprint sensor, Android 16 will also bring other optimizations, such as more diverse haptic feedback, expanded support for adaptive refresh rate displays, and updates aimed at improving security and power efficiency.
