Google Pixel 4 Face Unlock Works Even If Your Eyes Are Closed

Google has confirmed that the face unlock feature on its new Pixel 4 will work even if your eyes are closed. This means that if someone gets access to your phone they can unlock it by pointing it at your face while you're asleep, unconscious, dead, or being held down.

"If someone can unlock your phone while you're asleep, it's a big security problem," cyber-security expert Graham Cluley tells BBC News. "Someone unauthorised - a child or partner? - could unlock the phone without your permission by putting it in front of your face while you're asleep."


Google's support document for face unlock reads:

Your phone can also be unlocked by someone else if it’s held up to your face, even if your eyes are closed. Keep your phone in a safe place, like your front pocket or handbag.

Notably, images of the Pixel 4 that leaked ahead of its release showed a "Require eyes to be open" option in the facial-recognition menu; however, it appears Google was not able to get the feature working in time for launch.

Today's report follows a discovery that the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Note10 can be unlocked by any fingerprint. Samsung and Google device owners should consider turning off biometric recognition until these issues are resolved.


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