Android
How to use Android Smart Lock
Want your phone to automatically unlock when you get home? Smart Lock helps with that.
Securing your phone with a reliable security method, such as a PIN, password, or keypad pattern, is a great way to protect your device. If you’re on Android, you can also use Smart Lock.
Biometric methods, such as fingerprints and facial recognition, are convenient, helpful options for unlocking your phone.
But Smart Lock gives you additional ways to manage your device.
Smart Lock offers different ways to unlock your device without using a passcode. Here’s everything you need to know about your options.
What is Smart Lock on Android devices?
Enabling a lock screen security method is essential for keeping your data safe. Many smartphone owners use their devices in places they know to be safe, like at home.
That’s a lot of PIN code entries, biometric unlocking, or even hard-to-remember pattern unlocks.
Smart Lock reduces the number of times you have to unlock your phone or tablet by keeping your device unlocked.
Those include using on-body detection to keep your device unlocked after you’ve opened it, leaving it unlocked in trusted places like your home, or if it is connected to a trusted Bluetooth device.
Smart Lock used to also have options for voice match and trusted faces, but those are less secure and are in the process of being phased out.
How to unlock your Android phone with on-body detection
On-body detection in Smart Lock comes in clutch for runners or if you use your phone as a grocery list.
It will keep your device unlocked as long as it detects movement, so you can keep using it.
Once it detects you have stopped, your Android device will ask for your password again to open your lock screen.
Here’s how to use on-body detection to unlock your Android phone:
- Go to Settings > Lock screen > Smart Lock and enter your PIN or password when prompted
- Tap On-body detection
- Switch on Use On-body detection and tap Continue
As the warning suggests, on-body detection keeps your device unlocked when it senses you’re moving.
If someone snatches your phone from you and keeps moving, they may retain access.
It will automatically lock if you drop your phone.
Unlock Android phone with Trusted Places
Trusted Places uses geolocation to keep your device unlocked in places you feel safe.
That could be your home, office, or any location you choose. You will need GPS to be enabled, so your battery will drain slightly faster.
Here’s how to use Trusted Places to unlock your Android phone:
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Go to Settings > Lock screen > Smart Lock and enter your PIN or password when prompted
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Tap Trusted places
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Tap Add trusted place
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Locate the trusted location on the map and select it in the list below
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Tap OK to add the entry
You’ll see options to Delete, Rename, and Edit when you tap an already-added place.
The entry will appear automatically in the list if your home address is connected to Google Maps. You can enable this as a trusted place by tapping it and choosing Turn on this location.
Using this Smart Lock feature comes with obvious drawbacks. If someone in a trusted place picks up your phone, they’ll automatically have access to your data.
While they can’t physically take your device far from the authorized location, they could send your private information wherever they want.
How to unlock an Android phone with Trusted Devices
The trusted devices Smart Lock feature keeps your phone unlocked whenever it’s connected to a trusted Bluetooth product, such as a smartwatch, wireless speaker, or computer.
Here’s how to use Trusted Devices to unlock your Android phone:
- Go to Settings > Lock screen > Smart Lock and enter your PIN or password when prompted
- Tap Trusted devices
- Switch Bluetooth on and tap Add trusted devices
- Select a device from the list or tap Pair new device and complete the pairing process
- Tap Add when prompted
Trusted Devices are an excellent option if you wear an Android Wear OS smartwatch daily. Your phone will still lock if it gets out of Bluetooth range, keeping you safe if you misplace it.
Unlock an Android phone with Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi unlocking is a less-secure solution, as anyone with the right motivation could spoof a wireless network and gain access to your device.
For this reason, Google doesn’t include the option in its operating system.
Some third-party solutions exist, but most apps only work with older versions of Android OS and produce unpredictable results.
⚠️ We suggest avoiding any third-party apps that can control unlocking your device. You’re better off using a location or device-based trigger when automatically unlocking your phone.
Is Android Smart Lock safe?
Using Smart Lock is safer than having no protection, but enabling the feature comes with additional risks.
A motivated thief could use specific unlocking triggers, such as a trusted place, to gain access to your device and data.
When considering whether to enable Android Smart Lock, you should ask yourself: what’s more important, convenience or security?
Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.
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