Unlock your Pixel phone with your fingerprint

If your phone has a fingerprint sensor, either on the display or on the back of your device, you can use your fingerprint to unlock your phone, authorize purchases, and unlock certain apps.

Get started with fingerprints

About fingerprint security

We strongly recommend locking your screen to help protect your phone. Your fingerprint sensor gives you a convenient unlocking option.

But there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • A fingerprint can be less secure than a strong PIN, pattern, or password.
  • A copy of your fingerprint could be used to unlock your phone. You leave fingerprints on many things you touch, including your phone.
  • You'll be asked to add a backup PIN, pattern, or password. Remember your backup, because you'll need to use it sometimes, like after restarting your phone, or if your fingerprint isn't recognized.
  • You can add up to 5 fingerprints.

Where your fingerprint data is stored

Your fingerprint data is stored securely and never leaves your phone. Your data is not shared with Google or apps on your phone. Learn more about how fingerprint data is secured.

Set up a fingerprint

On Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro, follow these steps:

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap SecurityAnd thenFingerprint Unlock.
  3. Follow the on-screen steps. If you don't already have a screen lock, you'll be asked to add a backup PIN, pattern, or password.
  4. Scan your first fingerprint.
    • The fingerprint sensor is towards the bottom of your phone's display. Put your finger on the fingerprint icon and wait for the fingerprint sensor to light up and vibrate.
    • Press & hold your finger firmly on the screen. Start by placing the center of your finger over the sensor. Follow the instructions to adjust your finger position to capture the edges and tips of your fingerprint.

On Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, & Pixel 5a (5G), follow these steps:

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. TapSecurity.
  3. Tap Nexus Imprint.
  4. Follow the on-screen steps. If you don't already have a screen lock, you'll be asked to add a backup PIN, pattern, or password.
  5. Scan your first fingerprint.
    • Put your finger on your phone's sensor (not its screen).
    • Hold your phone as you'd normally hold it when unlocking. For example, hold your phone with its screen facing you.

Tip: Anyone whose fingerprints you add will be able to unlock your phone and authorize purchases with your account. If other people share your phone, they should add their fingerprints from inside their own profiles. Learn about user and guest profiles.

Use your fingerprint

Unlock your phone

  1. Place your finger on your phone's fingerprint sensor, either on the display or on the back of your device, until your phone unlocks. On some phones, first press the power button to wake the screen.
    • Note: On Pixel 6 Pro & Pixel 6, press and hold your fingerprint on the sensor until your phone unlocks. Learn how to troubleshoot fingerprint issues.
  2. Sometimes, for security, you'll need to use your backup PIN, pattern or password instead. This is required after:
    • Your fingerprint isn't recognized after a few tries.
    • You restart (reboot) your phone.
    • You switch to a different user.
    • More than 48 hours have passed since you last unlocked using your backup method.

As you use the fingerprint sensor, it will continue to adapt to your finger and improve over time. During use, images of your fingerprint are processed securely on your phone.

Authorize payments or unlock apps

If a message asks you to scan your fingerprint, follow its instructions. Your fingerprint information isn't shared with the app.

Manage fingerprint settings

Remove or rename your fingerprints

Stop using & delete fingerprints

Option 1: Use only PIN, pattern, or password to unlock

To use your backup screen lock PIN or pattern, delete your fingerprint:

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. TapSecurity.
  3. Tap Nexus Imprint.
  4. Scan your fingerprint or use your PIN, pattern, or password.
  5. Next to a fingerprint, tap Delete . Repeat for all fingerprints.

Tip: You can temporarily turn off fingerprint unlocking by turning on lockdown. Learn how to use lockdown.

Option 2: Remove screen lock phone protection

We strongly recommend continuing to lock your screen for security. But if you'd rather not use a fingerprint, PIN, pattern, password, or Smart Lock:

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap SecurityAnd then Screen lock.
  3. PickNone or Swipe. This will delete your fingerprints.

Troubleshoot fingerprint issues

Fingerprint Unlock not working on Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro

Your fingerprint might not be scanning for a few reasons:

Unlocking in bright outdoor sunlight

If you're having trouble scanning your fingerprint in bright, outdoor sunlight, cover the fingerprint sensor while you firmly press and hold your fingerprint on the sensor.

Fingerprint sensor not available when phone is asleep

You can change your settings so your display always shows the fingerprint sensor, even when it's asleep.

  1. Open your settings app.
  2. Tap Display and then  Lock screen.
  3. Turn on Always show time & info.
    • Tip: To improve access to the fingerprint sensor when your phone is asleep, you can also turn onTap to check phone or Lift to check phone.

Issues with screen protector

If your fingerprint won't scan, it might be because of your screen protector. Make sure you use a screen protector that is Made for Google certified. Brands that are Made for Google certified for Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6 are Case-Mate, InvisibleShield, Otterbox, Panzerglass, and Tech21.

Fingerprint sensor not reading your fingerprint

To fix issues, try these troubleshooting steps:

  • Get the latest Android update. Learn how to check & update your Android version.
  • Make sure you press & hold your finger firmly on the sensor until your phone unlocks.
  • Ensure your display is clean and without dirt or smudges.
  • Check that you're using the same finger you used when you enrolled in Fingerprint Unlock. You can add up to 5 fingerprints, follow the steps to set up a fingerprint.
  • If you have excessively dry fingers, moisturize or re-enroll fingerprint.

If none of these fixes work, delete your current fingerprint and re-enroll your fingerprint again, following the steps to set up a fingerprint. Make sure to capture the edges and tips of your fingerprint when you re-enroll.

Fingerprint not accepted

​After you get back into your phone, you can make your fingerprint more likely to be accepted:

  1. Edit your fingerprints. Learn how to edit your fingerprints.
  2. Be careful to hold your phone in the same way that you normally hold it when unlocking. For example, hold your phone with its screen facing you.
  3. Add up to 5 fingerprints, in case a finger gets injured.

Screen lock option disabled

If you see a "Screen lock option disabled" message on the fingerprint settings page, your phone administrator requires a different screen lock method. For example, if you have a work account on your phone, your work can require you to use a PIN, pattern, or password. To change this, contact your phone administrator.

Tip: You can still use your fingerprint to authorize payments and unlock certain apps.

Related resources

  • Understand fingerprint security
  • Check or change phone security settings
  • Set up Smart Lock
  • Set screen lock

Was this helpful?

How can we improve it?