‘Identity Check’ Widely Rolling Out To Google Pixel 

Following last week’s announcement, Android’s Identity Check security feature is seeing wider availability on Google Pixel phones.

When you enable Identity Check, “explicit biometric authentication” (fingerprint and/or face) will be required to access the following features or make changes to sensitive settings when you’re away from trusted locations, like Home or Work:

• Access saved passwords and passkeys with Google Password Manager.
• Autofill passwords in apps from Google Password Manager, except in Chrome.
• Change screen lock, like PIN, pattern, and password.
• Change biometrics, like Fingerprint or Face Unlock.
• Run a factory reset.
• Turn off Find My Device.
• Turn off any theft protection features.
• View trusted places.
• Turn off Identity Check.
• Set up a new device with your current device.
• Add or remove a Google Account.
• Access Developer options.
• Change your password from [Google] account settings or through “Forgot password.”
• Add or change recovery factors on the device.

This extra security step limits what somebody aware of your device PIN (like by looking over your shoulder) can do. Meanwhile, the last two measures above limit Google Account takeovers. 

To set-up, go to Settings app > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Theft protection > Identity Check. You must be signed in to a Google Account, have a screen lock, biometrics, trusted places (which are shared with Extend unlock), and enable Phone Number Verification, with a checklist guiding you through the process.

Over the past few days, we’re seeing Identity Check more widely rolling out (via Google Play services) to Android 15 Pixel phones. It’s coming next to Samsung One UI 7 devices, with other Android phones following “later this year.” 

Identity Check joins Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock from last year.

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