Android: The Smart Lock feature in Android allows you to disable your lock screen selectively based on criteria such as location or voice recognition. A recent update to this feature allows you to set geofence areas around a place, rather than only entering a street address.
Part of the problem with the old method Google used to identify location in Smart Lock is that it could only use an address. So, say you wanted to set it to unlock at work, if the address didn’t register close enough to your address, you could end up locked out anyway.
The new interface, which has rolled out as part of the new Google Play Services, allows you to designate a geofence instead of an address. As long as your location is within this circle, your phone will be unlocked.
As Android Police notes, some users have seen this feature activated already, but if it hasn’t been enabled for you, you can download Play Services 7.3 from Android Police’s APK Mirror site here.
Google Play Services 7.3 Adds A New UI For Trusted Places And Finally Makes The Persistent Android Wear Notification Dismissible [Android Police]
Comments
7 responses to “Google’s Trusted Places Disables Your Lock Screen Within Geofences”
The update has also broken Ok Google detection from any screen on Galaxy S6’s and some Nexus 6’s.
Next week: With your Android automatically unlocked in certain places, here come the location-specific ads, coupons, mic/camera on etc.
Me, I’ve not used a lock screen on a phone for years. Totally pointless. I don’t lose my phone. And I trust my friends.
If I did lost/have it stolen, any financial loss would be minimal compared to the hundreds of man-hours I see people waste by entering in their PIN.