Google has been playing hide and seek with a handy “Screen-off fingerprint unlock” option for Pixels. While the feature was present in the initial Android 16 betas and Developer Preview builds, it was eventually removed from the public build. Now, the company has quietly brought it back with Android 16’s latest QPR release.
Several Pixel owners on Reddit report noticing the useful “Screen-off fingerprint unlock” toggle under Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Face & Fingerprint Unlock > Fingerprint Unlock after installing Android 16 QPR2. As the name indicates, the feature will allow unlocking your Pixel using the fingerprint scanner without waking up the display.
Google initially rolled out screen-off fingerprint unlock for the Pixel 9 before expanding to older Pixels as well. But then, it removed the option altogether in Android 16’s final build. For now, only Pixel 9 users, including Pixel 9a users, report seeing the option. I don’t see the toggle on my Pixel 8 Pro either.
It could boil down to the Pixel 9 and newer models using an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. Older Pixels use an optical scanner, which works by passing light through the display to read a 2D image of the registered finger.
Since it depends on screen illumination, it may not function reliably when the display is fully off, making true screen-off fingerprint unlock unreliable on those devices.
While new to the Pixels, this is how the fingerprint sensor works on other Android phones. Even when the display is off, the sensor is active. So, you can unlock the phone in one swift motion by keeping your thumb on the fingerprint area.
If you don’t have Raise to wake enabled, Pixels require an additional step for unlocking, adding friction to the process.
Enable screen-off fingerprint unlock on older Pixels using this trick
On older Pixels, you can run the following adb command to enable screen-off fingerprint unlock.
adb shell settings put secure screen_off_udfps_enabled 1
Do note that while the feature will work, the toggle itself won’t appear in the Settings menu. Your Pixel’s battery life may also take a slight hit, but the convenience should make up for it.
