Android already offers a number of ways to unlock your smartphone, including traditional slide-to-unlock and PIN methods as well as more unique ways like On-Body Detection, Trusted Places, and Trusted Devices. Now Google is rolling out one more way to unlock your device.
Some Android users now have a Trusted Voice option in their device’s Smart Lock settings. The feature allows you to unlock your device when you use the “Ok Google” hotword that can also lets you perform a voice search when your phone is already unlocked. While the feature does only work when the “Ok Google” matches your voice model, Google notes that Trusted Voice is less secure than a pattern, PIN, or password unlock.
Using the “Ok Google” hotword to unlock your phone may not be quite as convenient in some situations as Trusted Devices or On-Body Detection, but some folks may not have a Bluetooth device for Trusted Devices and they may not want their phone to just be unlocked when its on or near them. And hey, it doesn’t hurt to have another unlock method.
Google hasn’t made any announcements regarding Trusted Voice, and so far it appears that the feature is rolling out in phases, so don’t fret if it doesn’t appear on your phone once you’re done reading this post.