Set up fingerprint sensor

Use Pixel Imprint™ to quickly and securely wake up and unlock your Pixel Slate with the touch of a finger.

The fingerprint sensor is located on the power button. Once you've registered your fingerprint, just tap it with your finger to wake up and unlock Pixel Slate.

Notes:

• If you're using Pixel Slate through work or school, Pixel Imprint™ won't be available unless specifically authorised by your admin.
• If you have multiple users signed in simultaneously on your device, only the first signed-in user will be able to use Pixel Imprint™ to unlock their Pixel Slate. All other users will need to use an alternative unlocking method.

Get started with fingerprints

Pixel Slate | How to Set Up and Use Fingerprint Security

About fingerprint security

We strongly recommend locking your screen to help protect your Pixel Slate. Pixel Imprint™ 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 password, PIN or pattern.
• A copy of your fingerprint could be used to unlock your Pixel Slate.You leave fingerprints on many things that you touch, including your device.
• Always remember your Google account password. You'll need it for backup if your fingerprint isn't recognised or you signed out of your account.

Where your fingerprint data is stored

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

Set up your first fingerprint

You'll have the option to register your fingerprint when you first set up your Pixel Slate. If you skip that step, set up your fingerprint at any time through your device settings.

1. At the bottom right, tap the time to open the status area.
2. Tap Settings .
3. Under 'People', tap Screen lock.
4. Enter your password, then tap Confirm.
5. Next to 'Edit fingerprints', tap Set up.
6. Tap Add fingerprint.
7. Following the tips below, scan your fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor, located on your device's power button (not its screen).
   • Hold your device as you'd normally hold it when unlocking, for example, with the screen facing you.
   • Choose the finger that you want to use to comfortably unlock the device (you can add additional fingerprints later).
   • Use the end of your finger, from above your last finger crease to your finger tip. Avoid scanning the last finger crease.
   • Position your finger on the centre of the sensor.
   • To capture all areas of your fingerprint, you'll need to touch the sensor multiple times, lifting your finger off the sensor between each touch. Make sure that you touch different parts of your fingerprint, including the sides, on the sensor each time.
   When your fingerprint is fully scanned, you'll see 'Fingerprint added!' Tap Done.
8. Optional: Rename your fingerprint if you want to tell it apart from other fingerprints that you add.
9. Lock your device by tapping the time in the bottom-right corner, and then tapping Lock . Once the screen is locked, you'll see below the password window, which means that you can use your fingerprint to unlock it.

Add additional fingerprints

In case you'll want to use other fingers to unlock your tablet, you can add up to 3 fingerprints per signed-in user.

Note:

• Anyone whose fingerprints you add will be able to unlock Pixel Slate for the account those fingerprints are associated with.
• If you have multiple users signed in on your device simultaneously, only the first signed-in user will be able to use Pixel Imprint™ to unlock their Pixel Slate. All other users will need to use an alternative unlocking method.

1. At the bottom right, tap the time to open the status area.
2. Tap Settings .
3. Under 'People', tap Screen lock.
4. Enter your password, then tap Confirm.
5. Next to 'Edit fingerprints', tap Set up.
6. Tap Add fingerprint.
7. Scan another fingerprint.
8. To tell your fingerprints apart, rename them. Tap the current name, type a new name, then tap OK.

Use your fingerprint

After you've set up your fingerprint, tap your finger on Pixel Slate's fingerprint sensor (located on the power button) until it unlocks.

Bear in mind:

• Pressing too long on the fingerprint sensor will power off your device.
• If you switch your device to an account that doesn't have fingerprints set up, tapping the fingerprint sensor won't wake your device.

Sometimes, use your backup method

For security, you'll unlock with your backup PIN or password after:

• Your fingerprint isn't recognised after a few tries.
• You restart (reboot) your device.
• You switch to a different user.
• More than 48 hours have passed since you last unlocked using your backup method.

Manage fingerprint settings

Edit your fingerprints

You can remove, rename and replace fingerprints:

1. At the bottom right, tap the time to open the status area.
2. Tap Settings .
3. Under 'People', tap Screen lock and sign in.
4. Enter your password, then tap Confirm.
5. Tap Fingerprint.
6. Make the change that you want.
   • To add a new fingerprint, tap Add fingerprint.
   • To delete a fingerprint, tap .
   • To rename a fingerprint, tap an existing fingerprint, type a new name and tap OK.

Stop using fingerprints

If you don't want to use fingerprints anymore, you can delete your fingerprints. You can set them up again at any time.

Option 1: Use only PIN, Password or Android phone with Smart Lock to unlock

If you'd like to use only your backup screen lock methods, instead of your fingerprint:

1. At the bottom right, tap the time to open the status area.
2. Tap Settings .
3. Under 'People', tap Screen lock.
4. Enter your password, then tap Confirm.
5. Tap Fingerprint.
6. For each fingerprint that you want to delete, tap .

Option 2: Remove screen lock device protection

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

1. At the bottom right, tap the time to open the status area.
2. Tap Settings .
3. Under 'People', tap Screen lock.
4. Enter your password, then tap Confirm.
5. Next to 'Show lock screen when waking from sleep', tap the toggle to disable.

Troubleshoot fingerprint issues

Fingerprint not accepted

If your fingerprint wasn't accepted:

• Use your backup password, PIN or Android phone with Smart Lock enabled.
• If multiple users are signed in, only the first signed-in user will work and all others will be ignored.

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

• Edit your fingerprints.
• Be careful to hold your device in the same way that you normally hold it when unlocking. For example, hold it with the screen facing you.
• Add up to three fingerprints, in case a finger gets injured.
• Make sure that the finger you're using isn't wet or dirty.

Screen lock option disabled

If you see a 'Screen lock option disabled' message on the fingerprint settings page, your device administrator requires a different screen lock method, such as a password.

Related articles

• Understand fingerprint security
• Lock or unlock your screen