Used GOS since Pixel3, best device ever, wish I could still use it as I still have it!
My P6A is so frustrating, often can't unlock due to the work I do and (i think) the type of skin i have (dry, coarse). It's a huge problem as i use a very long passphrase which it often demands when I am unable to type it in easily.
Grateful for recommendations for newer pixels (will buy used) that have a better fingerprint sensor/unlock method?
thanks
Try to save several time your fingerprint
I have saved 5 time one finger since I had difficulties to unlock with a screen protector, it work quite good
Scatterbrain
Have you tried the Increase touch sensitivity option? That might help.
Settings > Display > Increase touch sensitivity
thanks, been there done that. I've done every recommendation there is, shading from light, moistening finger, done it all. There is no solution, hence I am looking at trying a newer device (used, but newer). if I could go back to Pixel3 I would. Just looking for recommendations of devices based on fingerprint effectiveness.
Are there any newer devices with fingerprint sensor on the BACK of the phone? I am sure that would be better if so.
Your best option might be to wait for the Pixel 9. There are rumors / leaks that they will go with a different fingerprinter type, specifically an ultrasonic one (rather than the optical one they have been using since the Pixel 6). I guess we will know in a couple of weeks.
Other than that, a lot of comments online said the fingerprinter on the Pixel 8 is much better than the Pixel 6. It might be the case, but I am switching from a 4a to an 8 and I already hate the fingerprinter. It's not like it doesn't work at all, I'd say I can unlock the phone 70% of the time, but it's just not as reliable as the old backprinters, so I feel you.
P8P users here. Fingerprint unlocking works quick and smoothless (only one fingerprint stored, glass screen protector, settings> Display> Increase touch sensitivity OFF).
Murcielago
I think Pro model is bigger, i have loits of pixels but never a Pro model.
I want the smallest possible device. Anyone know which is the smallest of the 7 range upwards?
PS great news about Pixel 9, it's only a few years I have to wait until I can afford a used one off the Bay of Fleas :D
1 more vote for the pixel 8 pro. The finger print sensor works perfectly & fast. For me it almost never fails.
Also: are you sure that you have registered your fingerprint correctly? (moving & turning your finger around somewhat on its sides to register a different position for each step, to make sure all of the eventual finger positions you might use on the move are recorded?).
Marcus There is no issue with my fingerprint usage, recording etc. Trust me dude. I've had this for YEARS now, with without screen protector, tried different ones, tried turn up sensitivity and back down.. I said what it is already. It's my skin type and lifestyle, combined with a generally 5hitty fingerprint sensor hence all the furore online about it from day one.
I have tried every trick there is, like recording the same fingerprint several times, the only thinhg I have tried is a frigging toe print.
Scatterbrain Then I'd recommend to go to a google store or any other store that has the 8 pro on display (and soon the 9), and ask if you can try it out to test this (if you explain your problem, I'm sure some stores will accomodate you. Everyone should understand that you can't just make a purchase if you don't know if it works).
Scatterbrain Might be outside of your budget, but your best shot sounds like it'll be a 9th gen Pixel which should come with an ultrasonic sensor rather than an optical one. It seems like it'll be the same fingerprint sensor used on the S24 Samsung devices.
That must suck... If I were you, I'd probably take the compromise and use a PIN instead (scrambled option on, on my user profiles while the owner is still secured with a password but only used for updating apps).
The security of a PIN is quite high thanks to the secure element throttling inputs after too many failed attempts. But of course your biggest risk are still over the shoulder and video recording attacks. Just like with fingerprint unlock your biggest risk is someone forcing your finger on the sensor.
It's not perfect, and you clearly want to use fingerprint unlock, so I understand it's not the desired solution.
Btw. I'm glad nobody recommended downgrading to the 5a, this community is educated enough to see that it's not much more secure than your 3 by now. So your best options are getting a crazy good Pixel 9 deal, trying the Pixel 8a or just not using fingerprint unlock...
O went from an ultrasonic fingerprint reader in the Galaxy S21 to an optical one in the Pixel 8 and I must say it was a massive downgrade. So I'd expect going from the optical fingerprint reader of the P6a to the rumoured ultrasonic fingerprint reader of the P9 would be a massive upgrade.
I'd probably keep using the P6a, but with a pin, and wait until a Pixel with an ultrasonic fingerprint reader is available within your budget.
Just as a reminder, the PIN is hard to brute-force thanks to the secure element throttling, which apparently hasn't been bypassed yet. And the PIN isn't the encryption key of your storage, so you don't need the high entropy of a passphrase for that. Unless you are a highly targeted individual by a resourceful adversary, I think a PIN should be fine.
N1b
Thanks, actually PIN is something I want to ask about. My situation is not the norm.
N1b while the owner is still secured with a password but only used for updating apps
This interests me. I have never used a second profile, just Owner. Are there significant advantages to doing what you're referring to there (not sure I understand it, but I can learn if it's a big boost to security)
Scatterbrain His brand new and well secured iPhone was cracked in a matter of seconds, they read his texts and all sorts.
You might want to read into the Cellebrite thread and the secure element FAQ. You'll probably end up thinking it's very secure for your threat model.
You can also check out the recently added duress pin feature to avoid people getting access to your data. I use my birthday as duress pin for example.
Scatterbrain I have never used a second profile, just Owner. Are there significant advantages to doing what you're referring to there (not sure I understand it, but I can learn if it's a big boost to security)
There are some security and privacy benefits, but convenience downsides. I might elaborate later when I have more time.
N1b You might want to read into the Cellebrite thread
Never heard of Cellebrite, wondering if it's software known to be used to unlock phones, that's the gist I get from that screen, but there's no explanation of what stuff means. In short, I don't fully understand what the tables are for. I think i know what BFU and AFU means (before/after first unlock), but FFS and others I don't know about. That said, I did understand this:
"They're still unable to exploit locked GrapheneOS devices unless they're missing patches from 2022. A locked GrapheneOS device also automatically gets back to BFU from AFU after 18h by default."
Which is useful and pleasing!
PS the Secure Element stuff I read but it's way over my head sadly, looks great, but probably looks even better to those who understand the technical jargon (which I don't, for the most part!)
Duress Pin - WOW. I didn't know about that feature, which reminds me of a question I've been meaning to ask for years now! (More on that in a sec). Duress PIN is such a great idea, I remember asking for it myself way back (actually when my friend was arrested). But I didn't know about it, so...
Is there a way someone who can't sit in the Matrix chat all day long reading every single message, can find out about important announcements and developments with GOS? I mean like a blog or newsletter or something? If so, I'd definitely subscribe.
So... maybe my complex password is 'overkill' for my threat model. I hate to downgrade any security anywhere (I am very risk averse, even if my threat model doesn't warrant it, I like to know I have locks, cameras, and dogs running around my yard, when I probably need none but one day I might be glad I had em :D). That said, if I have to go for a PIN code, is there any best practice for choosing that number? Obviously it's best that it has no relationship to anything guessable (birthdays etc!), but am I right in assuming longer is better? Is 6 digits (my likely minimum) MUCH worse than say 12, which is a convenience issue but still way easier than my current password!
Thanks
