This one feature makes the Pixel Tablet even easier to use at home

Google pitched the Pixel Tablet as the perfect shared hub for the home. Pop it onto the charging speaker dock, and it becomes your media player, smart home remote, and info display.

The problem is that it’s still tied to the same mobile security rules as any Android device.

Hub Mode is great for displaying photos or widgets, yet it can’t give you full access unless you unlock the device yourself. What the Pixel Tablet really needs is a way to recognize that your home is a trusted space.

Luckily, there’s a feature that does exactly that. It’s easy to miss, and it completely changes how effortless the tablet feels to use around the house.

Why Extend Unlock matters more on a home tablet

This isn’t a new concept for Android. Google has long supported staying unlocked in safe environments through what was once called Smart Lock.

Now it goes by Extend Unlock, which better describes what it actually does. It won’t bypass that first unlock, but after you authenticate, it can keep the device open as long as you remain in a trusted place.

You get full access to apps, notifications, and personal info. Importantly, Extend Unlock isn’t a permanent free pass. It has a built-in safety check.

After four hours, the tablet locks itself again, and you have to re-authenticate with your PIN, pattern, or password.

How Trusted Places decides when your tablet stays unlocked

Android uses your exact location to figure out if you’re in a trusted spot. To keep things accurate, Android combines data from multiple sensors to pinpoint where the device really is, even when GPS signals are weak or blocked.

Your device gets its most accurate location from GPS satellites when it has a strong signal. Indoors or in areas with tall buildings, GPS can be unreliable, so Wi-Fi networks and cell towers help fill in the gaps.

On top of that, the tablet’s sensors — like the accelerometer, barometer, and gyroscope — detect small movements and whether it’s been still or has suddenly moved.

Using all these sensors together lets the tablet accurately verify it’s within the set geofence. For a tablet designed to mostly stay indoors, this sensor fusion is key. It prevents the annoying “lock-jitters” caused by unreliable location data.

What Hub Mode can and can’t do when the tablet is locked

When the tablet is docked and locked, it automatically switches to Hub Mode. This gives you a nice ambient screen where you can customize photos, screensavers, and see basic widgets like the clock and weather.

You can control media playback and some smart home features, but it still keeps your data secure.

With Extend Unlock active in a Trusted Place, the device stays unlocked even on the dock. This gives you immediate, full access to everything on the tablet.

Another big difference is the voice commands. In regular Hub Mode, saying “Hey Google, read my calendar” usually triggers a security check because it’s trying to access private info.

But with Extend Unlock active, that command works.

The security trade-off you make with Extend Unlock

The main risk with Extend Unlock is simple. For up to four hours or until you lock the device manually, anyone physically in your home can access everything on the tablet.

You need to balance the convenience with the chance that guests, kids, or family members might see data or accounts they shouldn’t.

If you’re using Extend Unlock but want extra protection for certain sensitive apps, Android has solutions.

Private Space, available on Android 14 and above, sets up a secondary security barrier. It requires a separate PIN or biometric to open designated apps, regardless of whether the device itself is unlocked. This puts some of the security responsibility on the user.

The Lockdown feature is another safety measure. Google understood that going through settings to turn off Extend Unlock during an emergency or unexpected situation. So, it created an easy physical command to restore full security right away.

To activate Lockdown, press the Power and Volume Up buttons at the same time, then tap the Lockdown button that appears. This blocks Extend Unlock. It also turns off biometric unlocks and hides sensitive notifications from the lock screen.

Extend Unlock is worth turning on at home

The Pixel Tablet works best when you can get into it quickly and easily. Picture yourself cooking with messy hands and wanting to skip a song or check a message without having to unlock everything.

With Extend Unlock and the Lockdown feature, you get both convenience and security when you need it. Turn them on, and the tablet will be ready to go whenever you are.

Brand

Google

Storage

128GB or 256GB

CPU

Google Tensor G2

Memory

8GB LPDDR5 RAM

Operating System

Android 14

Battery

7,020mAh

Looking for a smart home hub that can double as a gaming tablet? Google’s Pixel Tablet fits the bill. It flaunts a 10.9-inch IPS LCD screen, backed by the power of the Google Tensor G2 chipset and 8GB RAM for a snappy experience. Its camera setup includes an 8 MP rear and front camera, perfect for capturing those spontaneous moments or crystal-clear video calls.