Google Pixel 7a inaccurate fingerprint sensor issue passed on for investigation

If you’re having problems with the in-display fingerprint scanner on your Google Pixel 7a, you’re not alone. The phone’s fingerprint sensor can be unpredictable, often failing to accurately acknowledge the owner’s attempts to unlock it. Fortunately, wind of the inaccurate fingerprint readings on the Pixel 7a might have just reached Google HQ.

The Pixel in-display fingerprint sensor is no stranger to issues with inaccurate readings. It’s been a common problem ever since the Pixel 6 debuted, Google’s first phone with an in-display sensor. Despite the multiple updates pushed to the Pixel 7a to try and improve the scanner’s accuracy, things won’t just get better for some owners of this otherwise amazing gadget as evidenced by the tens of reports on Reddit and the official Pixel community forum. Not even the update to the latest update to Android 14 does the trick.

Perhaps these persistent issues stem from the fact that Google phones still rely on an optical fingerprint scanner instead of the more reliable and accurate ultrasonic scanner. There are hardly any related issues affecting the likes of Samsung Galaxy S23 and even the older Galaxy S22. Unlike Google Pixels, Samsung has the more accurate ultrasonic sensor on its phones. Heck, not even the latest Pixel 8 and 8 Pro have the ultrasonic sensor, with Google opting for a pretty much useless thermometer sensor instead of investing in a better fingerprint scanner. It’s beyond baffling.

Fortunately, Google engineers have been made aware of this issue with inaccurate fingerprint sensor on the Pixel 7a and the team is already looking into it. However, we have no word on when the expected improvements will arrive, so you’ll have to wait.

The November security update isn’t far away. Although it’s more plausible to expect improvements to fingerprint performance when the December Pixel Feature Drop rolls out. But nothing is confirmed just yet. Meanwhile, you may try some of these workarounds to mitigate issues with the Pixel 7a fingerprint scanner not working properly.