Easiest Way to Add Face Unlock on Android Pixel 9?

Biometrics prove to be a great security approach to modern devices and are far more secure than a simple 4-5 digit PIN code that anyone watching can easily memorize. Most parents at one point or another have experienced the realization that their minion has watched, figured out, and can now go into their phone at any time. It’s enough to bring a look of horror on anyone’s face.

Anyone can mimic your code, but fingerprints are unique, so that even the most earnest child is going to have a hard time breaking into a device. Sorry, Mission: Impossible, it’s not so easy to “lift a fingerprint” off a surface and reuse it to unlock a device after all. 🤓

But what if you’re asleep? Theoretically a mischievous monkey could actually pick up your phone and slide the fingerprint sensor under your finger while you’re unconscious. Likely? No. Possible? Yeah, maybe. That’s why Face Unlock is one of the most secure: Even if you’re asleep, you can set it to require your eyes be open, defeating those half-pint hackers…

DOES YOUR PHONE SUPPORT FACE UNLOCK?

The first question here is whether your Android phone actually supports Face Unlock. Certainly some of the older Google Pixel phones don’t (for example, my Pixel 6a doesn’t offer this feature). Open “Settings” and search for “face” to find out…

This particular phone, a Google Pixel 8a, does support it, as shown by it appearing in the search results. To proceed, tap on “Face Unlock“. You’ll move directly into Security & privacy > Fingerprint & Face Unlock > Face Unlock:

This particular phone offers three different ways to unlock (in addition to Swipe, Pattern, PIN and Password, all in a different area of Settings). Watch Unlock is great if you have a paired Android WearOS watch. For this task, however, tap on “Face Unlock“.

Now you’ll be in what I call The Disclaimer Zone. Here’s the first screen:

Swipe up to read the rest of the disclaimers – or just tap on “More” to reveal them – which informs you that…

The most important aspect of this information is that your face model never leaves your phone and is never stored by Google for any purpose. All of the processing involved in biometrics – it’s the same with fingerprints – occurs directly on the phone. You can test this by unlocking your phone when you’re offline and out of cellular range. It still works!

You can learn more by going to g.co/pixel/faceunlock if you’re curious.

SCANNING YOUR FACE

Now the fun part: Scanning your face so that it can build its model of your features and allow it as a reliable form of device unlock.

As it indicates, you’ll want to hold the phone pretty close to your face and at eye level. Since I can’t actually take screen captures of this step, I’ve created a simulated image of this process:

The basic motion is that you look at the camera while rolling your head gently around so it can see it from various angles. If you’re curious about it, the BBC has a very helpful infographic that shows some of what’s being measured and analyzed:

You can ignore the process itself if you want, of course, because it really is a scan and it’s set up process. In fact, once it’s accepted all of your face scans, you’ll be dropped back onto the very same screen:

Notice it says “Face added” under Face Unlock now. Decide if you want to use this to unlock your phone or just verify your identity in apps with the two settings at the bottom. All set up? Time to test it. Quit Settings, then push once on the power button to lock the phone.

Now just look at your phone’s camera. You should see something like this:

Or it’ll just unlock and drop you directly onto your home screen (or, depending on your configuration, back into the app you were last using). Done!

Pro Tip: There are lots of ways to manage your Android devices and ensure the best possible experience. Learn more by checking out my extensive Android help area while you’re here!