How to unlock your Pixel phone with your fingerprint

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 9.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

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.

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Tap Security & privacy Device lock Face & Fingerprint Unlock Fingerprint 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.

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Security.
3. Tap Security & privacy Device lock Face & Fingerprint Unlock Fingerprint Unlock.
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.

1. 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.
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.

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

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Security & privacy Device lock Face & Fingerprint Unlock Fingerprint Unlock.
3. Scan your current fingerprint or use your backup screen lock method.
4. 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.

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. Tap Security.
3. Tap Security & privacy Device lock Face & Fingerprint Unlock Fingerprint Unlock.
4. Scan your fingerprint or use your PIN, pattern, or password.
5. Next to a fingerprint, tap Delete . Repeat for all fingerprints.

Option 2: Remove screen lock phone protection