Android phones include an easy-to-use feature called Smart Lock, which allows users to keep their phone unlocked in certain locations, such as at home or the office. The feature makes using a smartphone much less frustrating when in a trusted environment. Most Android phones these days offer face unlock and a fingerprint sensor, but both these methods require an extra step when it comes to picking up and using the device.
The Smart Lock feature is a useful built-in Android bonus as it provides the user with the option to pick and choose the many ways in which their lock screen functions. For example, it can be used to create trusted places where the phone will stay unlocked or pair with other devices that can unlock the phone remotely. Smart Lock is also useful for removing the annoyance that often comes from constantly having to unlock a phone when there's no threat of a violation of privacy. The best thing about Smart Lock is that it gives the user more control over how their phone works, which is something that Android has always excelled at.
How To Enable & Use Android's Smart Lock
Smart Lock can be accessed by going into the phone's lock screen settings. To do this, open the Settings app, tap on 'Security' or 'Security & location' and select 'Advanced Settings.' Once there, the 'Smart Lock' option will be visible. If not, search for 'Smart Lock' in the Settings app. Users will now need to input their PIN, pattern, or password and choose the settings that best match their security needs or concerns.
The first of these choices is On-body Detection. This setting uses sensors to determine when the phone is on the body. Once the user unlocks their phone, the phone will stay unlocked until it senses that it's been set down. This setting can take up to a minute for the phone to lock itself after, so it can be a bit of a security risk if the phone is left unattended. According to Google, some phones can even learn the pattern of a walk style to determine if the user is the one carrying the phone.
The next two settings are much simpler in their approach. Users can either create trusted places where the phone will stay unlocked or pair the phone with a trusted device. The first setting uses high accuracy location settings to recognize safe locations, such as the home or office. Once a user enters this space, the phone should automatically unlock.
The second setting uses Bluetooth to pair the phone with another device that will automatically unlock the phone once connected. This setting should be avoided when using devices that are always with the phone — such as smartwatches — to avoid security issues. Phones that run older versions of Android can also use Voice Match or Trusted Face to unlock their phone. If the Android phone recognizes the user's voice command or their trusted face, it will unlock.
Add Your Home Location To Trusted Places
In order to use Trusted Places with Smart Lock, users will need to add their home location so that the phone can detect when it's safe to stay unlocked. To do this, access the Smart Lock menu in Settings as explained above and then tap on 'Trusted places.' Tap 'Home' and follow the on-screen steps to add the location. Android phones also let users pinpoint their location more precisely, which can come in handy if a user lives in an apartment. A workaround for this is to add a custom Trusted Place.
In the same Smart Lock menu, tap 'Add trusted place.' This will open a map of the user's current location. If the location is correct, tap 'Select this location.' If the location needs to be changed, tap 'Search' and enter the address or pinpoint the location on the map. Users can now choose to name their Trusted Location, such as 'Home' or 'Work.' Once set up, the Android phone should remain unlocked whenever the user is at home or another trusted space.
How To Turn Off Smart Lock On Android
While Smart Unlock can be incredibly convenient, it can also pose a security risk, since it essentially lets anyone near the user access the smartphone without having to unlock it. This is particularly true of Trusted Places and Trusted Devices, where another person might have extended access to the device. To turn off Smart Unlock, open Settings on the Android phone and tap 'Security' or 'Security & location.' Go to 'Advanced Settings' and select 'Smart Lock.' Alternatively, search for 'Smart Lock' in Settings. Enter the phone's PIN, pattern, or password.
If On-body detection has been enabled, tap on the option and disable it. Similarly, remove any Trusted Devices or Trusted Places that have been added. This might require users to remove Trusted Faces and Voice Match on some devices. Once done, Smart Lock will be disabled on the Android phone, and users will need to use their face, fingerprint, other unlock method to access the phone.
Source: Google