Pixel 4 face unlock is broken (again) for some users
- Pixel 4 and 4 XL owners report that face unlock has stopped working again.
- The phones will prompt them to “clean the top of the screen” although this is not a problem.
- Google may have tried to fix it weeks ago, but the issues still persist.
Google Pixel 4 owners are once again facing face unlock issues just months after the company fixed previous issues. Android police notes that users of Google’s Issue Tracker, Google support forums, and Reddit have complained that face unlock isn’t working on the Pixel 4 and 4 XL.
If you are affected, you will see a message asking you to clean up the top of the screen including the black bar. However, face unlock won’t work no matter how pristine the area is, and restarting the phone will only offer a temporary solution.
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Some users report that face unlock stopped working after upgrading Pixel 4 to Android 11. However, this is not the case for all. Some have reported problems for months. Others have suggested that this may be related to a previous problem with the device sensor and have pointed to a lack of data from the proximity and ambient light sensors as possible evidence.
It’s not sure if Google has a solution to this latest Pixel 4 face unlock issue. There have been indications that the November Android update may have fixed the black bar warnings, but owners are still complaining of issues after installing the patch. The release notes don’t mention anything specifically related to face authentication.
We asked Google for a comment. It is not certain how far-reaching the disruption could be, although it does cause a number of headaches for owners. This is also a particularly bothersome problem during a pandemic. While you can’t actually use the face unlock while wearing a mask, it can result in having to enter a passcode even if you are safe at home.
