Smartlock with watch is not so smart

[BJB1]

I keep my phone connected to my watch and you biometrics for security. I have noticed since the Android 10 update that even if my watch is connected to my phone that it will ask for a fingerprint read 3 or 4 times a day while other times it will say "unlocked by smartlock" which it should say 100% of the time. This is even more inconvenient as my fingerprint reading accuracy has gone down significantly since that update to fix the rubber screen cover case snafu.

To clarify this is different from the issue where when the phone is locked how it will randomly ask for a password upon wake-up instead of a fingerprint. I cannot say if related but is separate so figured it should be a separate post.

Any ideas why my phone will not always unlock with smartlock if the watch is connected? Watch on hand, phone in pocket...... And no notification of a disconnect.

Thanks,
BJB1

 

[waqqas31]

You're right. This changed with Android 10. Each time you reconnect with the said Bluetooth device, you will need to use PIN/biometrics to unlock it the first time, then will unlock with just a swipe until you disconnect.

I don't like this change, either, but what can you do...

 

[j_hansen]

I've always found smartlock not very smart with anything so haven't bothered with it in ages

 

[BJB1]

You're right. This changed with Android 10. Each time you reconnect with the said Bluetooth device, you will need to use PIN/biometrics to unlock it the first time, then will unlock with just a swipe until you disconnect.

I don't like this change, either, but what can you do...

Ahhh... Interesting but if watch is on my hand and phinenis in my pocket or know desk, how does that explain it happening more than once?
BJB1

 

[Super Dave426]

I had to turn on Bixby routines to keep my phone unlocked at home. When I'm out I see that it looks for my face to unlock even though I have a Samsung Galaxy watch on set up with Smart Lock.

 

[BJB1]

I had to turn on Bixby routines to keep my phone unlocked at home. When I'm out I see that it looks for my face to unlock even though I have a Samsung Galaxy watch on set up with Smart Lock.

SuperDave,
What did you do with Bixby routines to fix it?
BJB1

 

[Super Dave426]

I set it up for just phone unlock. It's in settings under Advanced.

 

[CKwik240]

I'm not sure if trust bixby routines to keep my phone unlocked. I use the location feature to manage my time and notification volumes while I'm at work and the radius it uses seems rather large and inconsistent. Not a big deal for volume control, but for security, I'd prefer a much smaller radius where it applies.

 

[rsmin]

I've always found smartlock not very smart with anything so haven't bothered with it in ages

So true

 

[bennett22]

I have an S9 and have been having the same problem. I went through days of talking to Samsung and resetting this/that as they asked and nothing fixed the issue. Came on here and did a search, seems this is the only post about it. It gets annoying when it will work one minute, then 5 mins later when another notification comes in the phone needs to be unlocked by print/pin