As part of its monthly security updates for supported Pixels, Google updated the Pixel 4 to optionally require open eyes during facial recognition.

“To make sure your phone doesn’t unlock when your eyes are closed, you can [now] require that your eyes are open for face unlock,” a Google support document says, noting the change. The Pixel’s original lack of such a feature is insecure because someone could simply hold your phone in front of your face while you slept.

In addition to this change, Google is also shipping a variety of other security updates, and to the Pixel 2 and Pixel 3 families as well. Two of the fixes address bugs in Bluetooth, while another is related to performance lag while opening the keyboard in certain apps.

In any event, Pixel 4 owners who rely on facial recognition are advised to enable the eyes open option. To do so, you must first install the April 2020 security updates. Then, navigate to Settings > Security > Face unlock, enter your PIN, and enable the option “Require eyes to be open” under “Requirements for Face unlock.”

The security update started rolling out today, so it may be a few days before you receive it.

Tagged with Google Pixel 4