Smartphones contain a lot of personal information, such as card information and payment functions, as well as important emails and social media. In order to protect that information, many people probably lock their screens with fingerprints, face recognition, PINs, patterns, etc.
However, it's troublesome to unlock every time in a situation where you don't have to worry about others snooping on you, such as living alone at home. In such a case, it is convenient to set "Smart Lock" that allows you to keep the lock unlocked in specific situations.
What is Smart Lock?
Smart Lock can be used in certain situations when a screen lock (fingerprint authentication, face authentication, password, pattern input, iris authentication, etc.) is set on an Android smartphone. A function that can be automatically unlocked. By setting the condition of "location" such as home or workplace, or by setting the condition of connection with specified devices such as earphones, you can use your Android smartphone without locking it as long as the conditions are met. This feature saves you from having to unlock it every time.
Please note that Smart Lock is a feature introduced in Android 5.0 (released in 2014) and cannot be used in earlier versions.
Smart Lock Features
Smart Lock has three features: On-Body Detection, Trusted Places, and Trusted Devices.
・Movement detection function
After unlocking once, the lock will remain unlocked while motion is detected, such as when you hold it in your hand or carry it. If the smartphone is placed somewhere and no movement is detected, it will be locked again.
・Reliable places
Using the location information function of your smartphone, you can automatically unlock at a preset location (range) such as your home.
・Reliable Devices
You can keep your smartphone unlocked while connected to a specified Bluetooth device, such as a smartwatch, Bluetooth earphones, or car navigation system.
In addition, the items "Voice Match" and "Recognized Face" may be displayed on devices with Android 9 or earlier, but these items have been deleted since Android 10. "Voice Match" is a function that unlocks by saying "OK Google". "Recognized face" is face authentication, and currently it is registered as a biometric authentication menu on compatible terminals.
How to set Smart Lock
On Android, you can set it from [Security] in the setting menu, but on Galaxy, the location of the menu differs depending on the smartphone, such as in [Lock screen] in the setting menu. There is also If you can't find it, search for it in the settings menu. This time, we will introduce the setting method using Google Pixel smartphone (Android 11) as an example.
Select [Settings] ▶ [Security] ▶ [Smart Lock]. You will be prompted to enter a PIN or pattern, so enter either one.
The [On-body detection function], [Trusted places], and [Trusted devices] menu will be displayed, so select the item you want to set.
・How to set the "carrying detection function"
Select the menu and turn on the switch in the upper right of the displayed screen.
・How to set up "Trusted Locations"
If you have registered your home location with your Google account, the address will be displayed dimly. If you want to register your home as a trusted location, tap it, then tap Enable this location that appears at the bottom of the screen.
If you want to register a new location, such as a school or work place, tap [Add trusted location]. Since the current location is displayed on Google Maps, move the map or search for the address to specify the desired location and tap [Select this location].
A confirmation dialog will be displayed, so set a name such as "workplace" and tap [OK].
In addition, you can register not only one place but also multiple places with the same procedure.
・How to set "Trusted Device"
Tap [Add Trusted Device] to display a list of Bluetooth devices paired with the smartphone.
When you select the device you want to set, a confirmation dialog will appear. Tap [Add].
Smart Lock is useful in various places
Smart Lock's "Trusted Places" can be useful in the following situations. Please make good use of it in conjunction with the notes below.
・Home
When you use your smartphone at home, you don't have to unlock it every time, so you can use it comfortably. Unlike the case where the lock is not set, it will be automatically locked when you leave the house, so you will not forget to lock it.
・Convenience stores, supermarkets, etc.
If you have a specific place where you often shop, such as a convenience store or supermarket near your home, you can set it as a "trusted place". , you can quickly launch a point card app or smartphone payment app. It will also be a solution if you have trouble with face recognition with a mask.
・Hotel where you stay for business trips
When you are in a hotel room, just like at home, strangers cannot enter, so the screen lock is automatically unlocked. and comfortable to use. It may be troublesome to register for one night, but if you stay for a long time, you can set it up.
Also, if you always wear a smartwatch when you go out, you can register it as a "trusted device" and it will be unlocked while connected to the smartwatch. Even if the smartphone is dropped or misplaced, it will be locked if the Bluetooth connection is lost due to distance. It's probably safer than using "Trusted Locations". However, in that case, even if you are not wearing it, the lock will be released just by being nearby, so be careful.
Notes on using the "Trusted Places" feature
Although Smart Lock is convenient to use, there are some things you should be aware of when using it. In particular, I want to be careful when adding "Trusted Locations".
Of course, but it's less secure because your phone is unlocked in Trusted Locations. Even at home, if you have a family, your child may accidentally send a work email or post it on SNS.
The location to be registered is not pinpoint, it depends on the accuracy of the GPS, but basically it is effective in a wide range with a radius of several meters, so if you register a convenience store or supermarket, the lock will be released even outside the store. It would be possible. If you drop your smartphone in such a place, it will not be locked and its contents will be seen, so you should be more careful when handling your smartphone.
Let's be careful about security
Smart Lock is convenient for situations where you use your smartphone frequently, such as at home or at work. Especially these days, it is often not possible to unlock the screen with face recognition, such as always wearing a mask. It's a useful function even when it's cold outside and you're wearing gloves, so please use it as a reference for solving problems while paying attention to security.