Google unveiled the Pixel 4 series last week with a claim for the fastest face unlock system on any phone, courtesy of its Soli radar on the front. The system works by preparing your phone to scan your face before you pick it up. However, it turned out that there was a compromise between speed and robust security in the Pixel 4"s face recognition as it was found that it would unlock your phone even with your eyes closed.
Now, Google has confirmed that it will be rolling out an update in the coming months to fix the face unlock system"s shortcomings. Once updated, the system will require users to open their eyes before their Pixel 4 phones are unlocked.
The search giant said in a statement (via Android Central):
"We"ve been working on an option for users to require their eyes to be open to unlock the phone, which will be delivered in a software update in the coming months. In the meantime, if any Pixel 4 users are concerned that someone may take their phone and try to unlock it while their eyes are closed, they can activate a security feature that requires a pin, pattern or password for the next unlock."
Meanwhile, in its official guidance for the Pixel 4, Google advises users to keep their device in a safe location such as their pocket or handbag in order to prevent unauthorized access. In addition, users can turn on lockdown on their phone to disable notifications, biometric unlocking, and Smart Lock while on the lock screen.
However, keeping lockdown in use requires that you turn it on every time you need to use it by long-pressing the power button and then tapping "Lockdown". Albeit cumbersome, this workaround remains the only viable option for now.