We all preferred to have a regular PIN input layout without PIN scrambling, but there are some situations when we have to scramble our PINs. As we know it takes sometimes to find a corresponding keys, especially if there are a long pincodes and it looks a bit annoying. That's why I'm interested if can we to have a toggle button for the PIN scramble setting, somewhere on the lock screen to easy switching between scramble/no scramble?

Even better would just be a button on pin window which means Scramble/Rescramble
This way user can decide to Scramble prior to enter it if default is no Scramble. Or can also Rescramble it if needed.

However requests here are not taken into considerations at all. You will have to file the request on github :)

    JayJay I was trying to say the same thing, you explained my point better.
    P.S Thanks for the advice.

    I think this might make sense, as I imagine most people prefer the standard PIN input in most cases, but there might be situations where you consider shoulder surfing a real threat, so you might want to scramble your PIN in that case.

    It is not yet clear if we want to implement this, and what kind of complexity it could introduce, but I will likely file an issue on GitHub for this if we decide it's something we'd like to explore.

    The current PIN scrambling option should remain, as some people might always want it to be scrambled and might not want the extra button press before entering their PIN.

    It is not clear if the best UX would be for the "scramble" button to be present when PIN scrambling is enabled by default. It would make sense to be able to rescramble, but if you feel like you need to re-scramble, that means someone was close enough to be able to read the numbers off the screen, at which point PIN scrambling doesn't help you a lot.

    There's also another school of thought here that says using a fingerprint when there's a risk of shoulder surfing makes the most sense.

    GrapheneOS will also soon have 2FA for the secondary unlock method, meaning that it will (optionally) not just be a fingerprint, but a fingerprint + PIN, allowing you to make the primary unlock method a large passphrase etc.

    The secondary method being a PIN + fingerprint defeats shoulder surfing (as fingerprint auth is required) while also making it more secure (as a PIN also needs to be known, someone can't just force your finger on the scanner and call it a day).

    All in all, it's an interesting idea. I'll have to think about it more. :)

      matchboxbananasynergy There's also another school of thought here that says using a fingerprint when there's a risk of shoulder surfing makes the most sense.

      You are right using a fingerprint is the option in this situation, but main problem is that a fingerprint stops working (not always) after switching between user profiles and we have to use PINs to unlock our devices to protect ourselves not only from shoulder surfing people, but surveillance cameras also. in my opinion to use privacy screen protector, to reduce screen brightness, to use PIN scrambler will help people a lot. This kind of situation is the main reason why toggle button is necessary.

      matchboxbananasynergy The current PIN scrambling option should remain, as some people might always want it to be scrambled and might not want the extra button press before entering their PIN.

      I agree with you. It would be nice to turn this kind of button on or off from the settings.

        User910824 I sometimes have this happen to me too. I can swipe back as matchboxbananasynergy said, or I swipe down. If it's a password, not a PIN, I have to dismiss the keyboard by tapping the arrow in the lower left-hand corner. Swiping doesn't seem to work with a keyboard for me.

          I use passwords for my profiles. After following the mentioned workaround when I change profiles, unlocking by fingerprint always works in one of the following ways:

          • Swipe back twice (one more time than mentioned by matchboxbananasynergy : the first time the keyboard disappears, the second time the lock screen with fingerprint symbol shows up).
          • Press the power button twice (pressing the button once turns the screen off, the second reactivates it - then the fingerprint button shows up. If you press the button twice in quick sequence, the fingerprint symbol shows up on top of the keyboard (looks buggy) but you can nevertheless unlock the screen using fingerprint.
          • If you are not in a hurry and your screen timeout is short (Settings> Display> Screen timeout), you can also wait until the screen goes black and then activate it via power button or - if active - "tap to check phone" or "lift to check phone". The fingerprint button will then also appear.

          Note: I use the navigation mode (Settings> System> Gestures> Navigation mode> Gesture navigation).

          I read your answer that the problem persists despite the described workaround - have you perhaps overlooked a part of it? I don't want to question your answer - I'm just asking because I also always had exact the same issue you described and since applying the workaround the bug hasn't occurred to me a single time.