Face Unlock is a major new feature of the Pixel 4, but it was recently discovered that Face Unlock may not be as secure as many folks would like, because it works even if your eyes are closed. Now Google has confirmed that it's planning to add a setting that'll require your eyes to be open for Face Unlock to work.
Google explains that it's working on an option that will require a user's eyes to be open for Face Unlock to work on the Pixel 4. In a statement to The Verge, Google says that the update will be released sometime "in the coming months."
The company goes on to say that until that update is released, Pixel 4 owners concerned about their device's security can activate the phone's Lockdown feature that'll require the PIN, pattern or password for the next unlock. It can be activated with a long press of the phone's power button.
Here's Google's full statement:
"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. Pixel 4 face unlock meets the security requirements as a strong biometric, and can be used for payments and app authentication, including banking apps. It is resilient against invalid unlock attempts via other means, like with masks."
One of the many, many Pixel 4 leaks that we saw before launch showed a "Require eyes to be open" setting for Face Unlock, and so many expected the feature to be included with the Pixel 4 at launch. That isn't the case, but it's good to hear that Google is planning to add it in a future update. Requiring the user's eyes to be open for Face Unlock to work will make it more secure.