Pixel 4 face unlock is (again) broken for some users



[ad_1]

The Pixel 4 XL back in hand 2

  • Pixel 4 and 4 XL owners report that facial unlocking has stopped working again.
  • Phones tell them to “clean the top of your screen” even though that’s okay.
  • Google may have tried to fix the problem weeks ago, but the issues persist.

Google Pixel 4 owners are once again struggling with face unlock issues just months after the company fixed the previous issues. Android Police Note that users of Google Issue Tracker, Google Support Forums, and Reddit have complained that Face Unlock does not work on the Pixel 4 and 4 XL.

If you are concerned, you will see a lock screen message asking you to “clean the top of your screen including the black bar”. Face unlock will not work no matter how clean the area is, and restarting the phone only offers a temporary solution.

Related: Pixel 5 buying guide

Some users report that facial unlocking stopped working when they updated the Pixel 4 to Android 11, but not everyone does. Some have been reporting problems for months. Others guessed that it could be related to an earlier device sensor issue and pointed to the lack of data from proximity and ambient light sensors as possible evidence.

It’s not clear whether or not Google has a fix ready for this latest Pixel 4 face unlock issue. There were hints that it could have resolved the black bar warnings with the Android update of November, but owners are still complaining about issues after installing the patch. The release notes don’t mention anything that specifically addresses facial authentication.

We asked Google for a comment. It is not certain the extent of the problems, although they add to a number of headaches for homeowners. It is also a particularly troublesome problem during a pandemic. While you can’t really use facial unlocking while wearing a mask, it can require you to enter a code even when you’re safe in your home.

[ad_2]

Source link