Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe most effective steps are to turn on Require attention on screen, turn on Always require confirmation for app sign-ins and purchases (where your Pixel offers it), and protect the phone with a strong screen-lock credential. Google is plain about the limits: Face Unlock “may be less secure than a strong PIN, pattern or password.” These settings reduce unintended unlocks. They don’t make it impossible for someone to get in.
Which Pixels support Face Unlock?
Google says Face Unlock is available on Pixel 7 and later, including Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. On Pixel 8 and later (including Fold), it can also verify you for app sign-ins and purchase approvals. That doesn’t mean every app or every purchase uses it, because only supported apps and flows do.
What Face Unlock can get wrong
- Google warns that someone who looks very similar to you may be able to unlock the phone.
- Another person may unlock it by holding the phone up to your face.
- In Google’s words, “When you look at your device, you can unlock it even when you don’t intend to.”
- It may not work in poor light, or when your face is covered by a mask or sunglasses.
Google publishes no error rates for it, so treat the steps below as risk reduction, not guarantees.
Step-by-step: harden Face Unlock
1. Use a strong screen lock underneath
Face Unlock sits on top of your PIN, pattern or password, which is also the fallback. Per Google’s screen lock help, a strong password is the most secure standard option, and it recommends a six-digit PIN for added security. Longer PINs tend to be more secure. Avoid short or guessable codes such as birthdays or repeated digits.
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2. Require attention on screen
- Open Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Face. Labels vary by device and software version, so follow the equivalent Face settings if your menu differs.
- Turn on Require attention on screen.
The phone then expects you to look directly at the screen, per Google’s help page.
3. Require confirmation for app sign-ins and purchases
In the same Face menu, turn on Always require confirmation. This adds a confirmation step when your face is used to approve app sign-ins and purchases. It is extra friction by design, and it applies only where the feature is supported.
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4. Stop accidental wake-ups
If Face Unlock triggers when you merely glance at or pick up the phone, turn off Tap to check phone and Lift to check phone. Google says this reduces activation and unintentional unlocks. The cost is that you must press the power button to wake the screen and start Face Unlock.
5. Review Extend Unlock
Extend Unlock is a separate feature, and you may not have it enabled. If you do, Google’s stay-unlocked help says it can keep the phone unlocked for up to four hours. Remove anything you don’t need:
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- Trusted places: a place is an estimate and the phone may stay unlocked within a radius of up to about 100 meters. Location signals may also be manipulated.
- Trusted Bluetooth devices: a device can be imitated, and Bluetooth connectivity can reach up to 100 meters depending on the device and environment. If someone takes the phone while it is near your trusted device, they may reach it unlocked.
- On-body detection: it may take up to a minute to lock after you put the phone down and 5–10 minutes after you enter a vehicle. It may not lock automatically on an airplane or boat.
6. Learn Lockdown before you need it
Press Power and Volume Up together, then tap Lockdown. Per Google, this temporarily disables face and fingerprint recognition and Extend Unlock while the phone is locked. After the next unlock you must activate it again. Use it whenever you expect someone might force or trick you into a face scan, such as at a border or during a confrontation.
Trade-offs at a glance
| Choice | More convenient | More secure |
|---|---|---|
| Waking the phone | Tap and Lift to check phone on | Both off; press the power button to wake |
| App sign-ins and purchases | Face approves without an extra step | Always require confirmation on |
| Looking at the phone | Attention not required | Require attention on screen on |
| Staying unlocked | Extend Unlock with places or devices | Extend Unlock trimmed or off |
What happens to your face data?
Google says the face model is stored securely on the device and never leaves it. It is used only for Face Unlock and isn’t shared with other Google services or apps. Face images can update the model over time, but the images used to create it aren’t stored. Face models may count as biometric data in some jurisdictions. To remove it, delete the face model in the Face settings.
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Fingerprint as a companion
Google recommends also setting up fingerprint unlock for a more seamless experience, for example when light is poor or your face is covered. That is a convenience suggestion, not a claim that fingerprint is inherently stronger. Google’s security and privacy settings page covers other protections you can review.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pixel Face Unlock work with eyes closed?
Google doesn’t document eyes-closed behavior. Turning on Require attention on screen makes the phone expect you to look directly at it, which is the setting designed for this concern.
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- 【Press Down Firmly Every 30 Minutes】Use your palm or fingers to press the phone down firmly and check it's secure before letting go. Apply even pressure for a few seconds to allow the suction cup to adhere properly. To maintain the grip and prevent accidental falls, it's a good practice to periodically reapply pressure to the suction cup.
How do I temporarily disable Face Unlock?
Use Lockdown: press Power and Volume Up together, then tap Lockdown. Biometrics are disabled until your next unlock.
Quick Recap
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