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.
Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 9.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
Unlock your Pixel phone with your fingerprint | Pixel
Use your fingerprint
Unlock your phone- Place your finger on your phone's fingerprint sensor, either on the display, power button, or the back of your phone, until your phone unlocks. On some phones, first press the power button to wake the screen.
- Tip: On Pixel 6 and later phones, firmly press and hold your fingerprint on the sensor until your phone unlocks. Learn how to troubleshoot fingerprint issues.
- 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.
Manage fingerprint settings
Remove or rename your fingerprints- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Security & privacy
Device lock
- Tap Fingerprint Unlock.
- Scan your current fingerprint or use your backup screen lock method.
- Make the change you want.
- To delete a fingerprint, next to the fingerprint, tap Delete
.
- To rename a fingerprint, tap an existing fingerprint, type a new name, and tap OK.
- To delete a fingerprint, next to the fingerprint, tap Delete
Device lock 
.Option 1: Use only PIN, pattern, or password to unlock
To use your backup screen lock PIN or pattern, delete your fingerprint:
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Security.
- Tap Security & privacy
- Tap Fingerprint Unlock.
- Scan your fingerprint or use your PIN, pattern, or password.
- Next to a fingerprint, tap Delete
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:
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Security
- Pick None or Swipe. This will delete your fingerprints.
About fingerprint security
We strongly recommend locking your screen to help protect your phone. Your fingerprint sensor gives you a convenient unlocking option.
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.