Google’s mid-range Pixel 9a has just inherited a fingerprint unlocking feature that was previously reserved for its premium Pixel 9 and 10 series. This enhancement lets users unlock their phone directly by tapping the fingerprint sensor even when the screen is off, skipping the usual screen wake-up step. While this convenience has long been a staple on flagship Pixels, it now appears on the Pixel 9a-marking a notable upgrade for Google’s more budget-friendly devices.
Screen-off fingerprint unlock reaches Google Pixel 9a
Traditionally, Google Pixel phones have supported three main ways to unlock: face unlock, PIN, and fingerprint. The screen-off fingerprint unlock, however, was an exclusive perk for flagship Pixels until recent updates. Initially introduced in the Pixel 9 series during an early Android Developer Preview, the feature disappeared in subsequent beta builds before officially returning in the Android 16 QPR2 update. Google had announced support for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 families but left out the Pixel 9a and 10a-until now.
Reddit users spotted the screen-off fingerprint unlock option on multiple Pixel 9a devices, suggesting a broader rollout. Interestingly, the Pixel 9a uses an optical fingerprint sensor rather than the ultrasonic sensors found on higher-end Pixels, indicating the feature’s compatibility across different sensor types. This opens the door for similar updates to older generation Pixels, such as the Pixel 8 series, without hardware limitations.
How to enable screen-off fingerprint unlock on Pixel 9a
While Google is late in matching competitors like Samsung, which have supported screen-off fingerprint unlocking for years, this move helps close a feature gap between flagship and mid-tier Pixels. To check if your device has received this enhancement, navigate to Settings > Security & Privacy > Device Unlock > Fingerprint on your Pixel 9a or similar device.
This update reflects Google’s gradual expansion of premium software features to its more affordable models, improving user experience without requiring hardware brute force. It’s likely more Pixel models will gain this screen-off fingerprint unlock update soon, further bridging the divide between Google’s mid-range and flagship phones.