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 securityWe 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 and later phones, follow these steps:
- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Tap Security
Fingerprint Unlock.
- 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.
- 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.
Fingerprint Unlock.On Pixel 5a (5G) and earlier phones, follow these steps:
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Security.
- Tap Pixel Imprint.
- 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.
- 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.
Use your fingerprint
Unlock your phone- 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.
- 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
Tap Fingerprint unlock or Pixel Imprint.
- 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
Tap Fingerprint unlock or Pixel Imprint.
.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 Fingerprint unlock or Pixel Imprint.
- 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.
Troubleshoot fingerprint issues
You can use the Pixel phone simulator for a step-by-step tutorial to fix issues with Fingerprint Unlock.
Fingerprint Unlock not working on Pixel 6 and later phonesUnlocking in bright outdoor sunlight
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.
- Open your settings app.
- Tap Display
Lock screen.
- Turn on Always show time & info.
- Tip: To improve access to the fingerprint sensor when your phone is asleep, you can also turn on Tap to check phone or Lift to check phone.
Lock screen.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.
| Model | Made for Google certified brands |
|---|---|
| Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro | Bigben |
| BodyGuardz | |
| Case-Mate | |
| OtterBox | |
| PanzerGlass | |
| Power Support | |
| ZAGG | |
| Pixel 7 & Pixel 7 Pro | |
| Bigben | |
| BodyGuardz | |
| Case-Mate | |
| Mous | |
| OtterBox | |
| PanzerGlass | |
| Power Support | |
| SPIGEN | |
| Whitestone Dome | |
| ZAGG | |
| Pixel 7 | Kalbas |
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.
If your fingerprint wasn't accepted:
- Use your backup PIN, pattern, or password.
- If you can't remember your backup, follow these steps to get into your phone.
After you get back into your phone, you can make your fingerprint more likely to be accepted:
- Edit your fingerprints. Learn how to edit your fingerprints.
- 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.
- Add up to 5 fingerprints, in case a finger gets injured.
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.