The Pixel 7a has several features in common with the more expensive Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, but does that include face unlock? Google introduced face unlock with the Pixel 4, and even equipped the smartphone with special hardware to enable an advanced unlocking mechanism comparable to the iPhone’s Face ID. For some reason, Google didn’t bring the feature to the Pixel 5 and Pixel 6 series, but it did introduce a basic face unlock option for the Pixel 7 series.
While the Pixel 6a lacked face unlock like its flagship counterparts, the Pixel 7a does support the feature. This means Pixel 7a users will have an additional method to unlock their smartphone. The smartphone also features an under-display fingerprint sensor, which is the most secure of all the authentication options. Apart from these biometric authentication methods, Pixel 7a users have access to the usual PIN, pattern, and password unlock options.
How To Set Up Face Unlock On The Pixel 7a
Face unlock can be a convenient option, given that users only need to glance at their phone to unlock it. To set it up on the Pixel 7a, open the Settings app and then tap ‘Security.’ Select ‘Face & Fingerprint Unlock.’ Enter a pin, pattern, or password. If this hasn’t been set up yet, follow the onscreen instructions to add one of these methods. Next, tap ‘Face Unlock‘ and tap ‘I agree‘ after reading through the information on the screen. Tap ‘Start‘ and follow the onscreen instructions to capture the face. Tap ‘Done‘ to register the face.
The accuracy of face unlock improves with usage as more face images are captured. Google notes that while the images used to create the face unlock model aren’t saved, the face model itself is securely stored on the Pixel 7a. This means users don’t have to worry about it leaving the phone. The face model isn’t shared with any other Google apps or services either.
Since the Pixel 7a offers basic face unlock, Google doesn’t allow users to make payments or sign into apps using this authentication method. Users will need to use their fingerprint or PIN/pattern for this. And while face unlock is convenient, it’s not without its risks. A user’s phone can be unlocked unintentionally, and a person who looks similar to a user, such as a sibling or twin, might be able to unlock it too. And unlike Face ID on iPhones, face unlock may not work if a user is wearing a mask or sunglasses. In conclusion, while the Pixel 7a does have face unlock, using the fingerprint sensor is a far more secure unlock option.