Smart Lock is not working

[nelamvr6]

I am at home, a trusted place. Google maps shows that the system is aware that I am at home, and I am not getting any messages saying that the accuracy is low.

And yet Smart Lock is not keeping my phone unlocked.

 

[dmxjago]

I use it with my Garmin watch and it has worked exceptionally well so far since Oct 28th. I have not tried it based on location.

 

[mggm100]

Smart Lock will ask for your PIN if you've been inactive for a period of time. Is that what you're seeing?

 

[gomezz]

I find with my Samsung S20 that a more reliable method of keeping my phone unlocked at home is to use a Bixby routine to detect when I am connected to my home wi-fi. Don't know if Pixel phones have a similar capability. The in built Smart Lock device and location detection is very hit and miss by comparison.

 

[anon(40376)]

Welcome to the smart lock problem. My pixel 4XL has had that problem, intermittently, since Android 12. To be more specific, the FIRST Android 12 upgrade; not the second google sent by mistake!

 

[bkdodger2]

I've always said smart lock is definitely not smart

 

[nelamvr6]

No, I'm saying it doesn't even start to keep my phone unlocked. I eventually got it to turn on by turning home off and on several times as a trusted place. It shouldn't be this hard. And, BTW, when it does time out, it should allow opening by way of biometrics. IMHO it is not very well implemented on the P6P. I'm hoping Google fixes this tout de suite...

 

[nelamvr6]

Smart Lock will ask for your PIN if you've been inactive for a period of time. Is that what you're seeing?

No, I'm saying it doesn't even start to keep my phone unlocked. I eventually got it to turn on by turning home off and on several times as a trusted place. It shouldn't be this hard. And, BTW, when it does time out, it should allow opening by way of biometrics. IMHO it is not very well implemented on the P6P. I'm hoping Google fixes this tout de suite...

 

[nelamvr6]

I find with my Samsung S20 that a more reliable method of keeping my phone unlocked at home is to use a Bixby routine to detect when I am connected to my home wi-fi. Don't know if Pixel phones have a similar capability. The in built Smart Lock device and location detection is very hit and miss by comparison.

I have not seen that option available.

 

[nelamvr6]

And then, when I am finally able to get Smart Lock to work, it only works for a little while, then it demands I enter my pin. And then, after I enter my pin? It once again is not working at all.

Smart Lock on this phone absolutely sucks.

Ordinarily I wouldn't care that much. But the FPS is pretty bad, so I'm more interested in keeping this phone unlocked when it's safe to.

 

[Chex313]

Mine only does this if lock it with the power button and I have lock selected from settings...does it do this is the screen times out on its own? As mine stays unlocked.

Try unchecking that box as the description says it shouldn't lock in a trusted place but I do not think it is working. So yes mine locks up in a trusted place also when I lock with my power button. Setting/Security/Screen Lock/Power Button Instantly Locks

 

[nelamvr6]

Mine only does this if lock it with the power button and I have lock selected from settings...does it do this is the screen times out on its own? As mine stays unlocked.

Try unchecking that box as the description says it shouldn't lock in a trusted place but I do not think it is working. So yes mine locks up in a trusted place also when I lock with my power button. Setting/Security/Screen Lock/Power Button Instantly Locks

I have tried it with that setting enabled and disabled and the same thing happens either way.

I'm not willing to have my phone in an unlocked state until the screen times out. I don't think that's prudent. I'm not turning it on and off that often anyway, so that setting probably wouldn't matter much.

 

[ras47]

Smart Lock is not working on my Pixel 5 either.

 

[ynotamil]

Ever since smart lock was introduced in Samsung phones (my 1st was an S3) I never got smart lock working. And I tried. They should hire a smart programmer to program that routine. If I am on a trusted wifi area, then don't lock the phone. As soon as I get out of that area, lock it. I don't think you have to be Einstein to figure that out. Well, not Android programmers.

 

[ynotamil]

Maps will drain your battery much faster than wifi. But since Google wants to know where you are all the time, spy on you, they don't care. Smart lock using wifi will not be an option. Using AI and a triangulation of the cell towers you are logged on, the phone can detract your location with some precision. That was used long ago by an app Llama. No Maps was requiredo to know your location, no extra battery used, just the radio that is on all the time on any case. Only thing that changes is the revenue from Maps. Until Google figures out how to monetize wifi, SMART lock will remain USELESS lock

 

[nelamvr6]

Think I might have cracked the code. Settings - Apps - Maps - Battery - Select Unrestricted.

Then open Maps app and press GPS/location icon along lower right side. Your location should update. Especially if you see the GPS/location icon appear in your notification panel for a few seconds.

I think the fingerprint sensor may still appear, but just swipe up. I switched back to optimized after doing this, but people might need to leave it in unrestricted.

That makes a certain amount of sense. I've set maps to unrestricted battery, I'll see if the situation improves.

 

[nelamvr6]

It will only stay unlocked for 4 hours.

That's still better than it has been doing. Do you know how big an impact this will have on battery life?

 

[nelamvr6]

I turned selected unrestricted then switched the app back to optimized. I haven't had any issues. I suggest trying that to see if it's necessary to keep the app in unrestricted.

The 4 hour unlock is part of Smart Lock feature by the way.

And I could live with every four hours. But that would be a big improvement on the current situation.

 

[nelamvr6]

Well, it's still early days, but I've noticed a big improvement after turning on WiFi and Bluetooth scanning and setting battery to unrestricted. I'm going to use the phone this way for a while to make sure it has actually improved, and then try turning battery back to adaptive. Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[nelamvr6]

Update, today Smart Lock has been working MUCH better! I did encounter the lock once, but then after I input my pin it went right back to remaining unlocked. That is a first! It actually appears to be working as it is supposed to. I am much happier.