Android 16 could make unlocking your Pixel 9 much quicker — here's how

android 16 logo on a samsung galaxy smartphone
(Image credit: Future/Google)

Android 16's second developer preview offers various optimizations focused on improving the experience of making apps. But Mishaal Rahman of Android Authority has found one new feature that any user will be able to appreciate.

Rahman's discovered that Google Pixel 9 series phones have access to a new "Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock" option in Android 16 developer preview 2. As the name suggests, this lets you unlock the phone via its ultrasonic fingerprint sensor without waking the phone first.

Screen off Fingerprint Unlock on Pixel - YouTube Screen off Fingerprint Unlock on Pixel - YouTube
Watch On

If you happen to have the preview build installed, you can find this setting by opening the Settings app, then Security & privacy, Device Unlock, Face & fingerprint unlock, and finally Fingerprint unlock. Toggle the Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock setting to on, and you'll be able to try this for yourself.

A screenshot from Android 16 developer preview 2, showing a new Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock option toggled on

(Image credit: Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority)

A nice upgrade, if you can get it

Ultrasonic scanners are already superior to standard optical scanners in terms of reliability and speed, so being able to use it without turning the screen on will slowly save you seconds every day, depending on how much you use the phone.

Although, since this is an optional setting, you could always leave it off if you think you'll end up unlocking the phone unintentionally.

Sadly, even though older Pixel models can download Android 16 DP 2, those launched prior to the Pixel 9 don't have the right kind of fingerprint sensor to make use of the new capability, nor does the option even appear for them. Although Rahman doesn't specify in the article, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is likely excluded too, since it uses a capacitive fingerprint scanner on its power button rather than an under-display sensor.

Presumably other phones using ultrasonic scanners, like the Samsung Galaxy S24 and older Galaxy S models, will be able to make use of this feature once Android 16 is widely available.

These phones will also hopefully benefit from other Android 16 abilities like more varied haptic feedback, improved support for phones with adaptive display refresh rates, plus the usual upgrades to security and power efficiency.

Google's thrown the smartphone world off guard by launching Android 16's developer previews much earlier than normal. While we'd usually see the final version of a new edition of Android appear between October and December, Android 16 could instead be finished as early as May according to the tentative release schedule. That would fit with the usual timing of Google I/O, the company's big annual software event.

More from Tom's Guide

TOPICS
Richard Priday
Assistant Phones Editor

Richard is based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones, tablets, gaming, and whatever else people need advice on. Following on from his MA in Magazine Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he's also written for WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he's likely thinking about how to brew the perfect cup of specialty coffee.

Read more
OnePlus Open held in the hand.
Android 16 could bring triple-app multitasking — what you need to know
android 16 logo on a samsung galaxy smartphone
Android 16 beta just arrived — here are all the new features
android 16 lock screen widgets for android tablets
Google’s bringing lock screen widgets back to Android phones this summer — here's what we know
The camera assembly on the Google Pixel 9
The latest Google Pixel update is breaking fingerprint scanners — but there may be a fix
android 16 logo on a samsung galaxy smartphone
Android 16 could come with this key navigation change — and another new volume slider
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL desktop mode.
I tried this hidden desktop mode on my Pixel 9 Pro XL — Google needs to bring this to all Android phones
Latest in Android Phones
back of Iris Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a pre-orders delayed due to 'component quality issue' — here's when you can get one
Showing the front of a Galaxy S25 Ultra held in hand
One UI 7 will arrive late for US Samsung users — here’s when it’ll launch for you
CAD renders of the Google Pixel 10
Google Pixel 10’s Tensor G5 chipset could be very different — here’s what we know
back of Iris Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a launch LIVE: Everything you need to know
Google Pixel 9a hands-on.
Google Pixel 9a launches — price, specs and all the new features
Google Pixel 9a hands-on.
Google Pixel 9a hands-on: This cheap phone just surpassed the iPhone 16e
Latest in News
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Thursday, March 20 (#648)
A phone with the Plex logo in front of an out-of-focus background of movie posters
Yikes! Plex is getting a price hike and this key feature is going behind a pay wall
back of Iris Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a pre-orders delayed due to 'component quality issue' — here's when you can get one
An open lock depicting a data breach
Half a million teachers hit in major data breach with SSNs, financial data and more exposed — what to do now
Sony A95K QD-OLED TV in front of windows in a living room
This new TV breakthrough looks like a game-changer for OLED TVs
Apple iPhone 16 & 16 Plus hands-on.
Forget USB-C — a truly portless iPhone just got the all-clear from the EU