Google Pixel fingerprint unlock icon disappearing from lock screen after March update (workaround inside)

Picture this: you grab your Google Pixel 8, Pixel 7 or even the aging Pixel 6, ready to quickly check a notification, and… no fingerprint unlock icon on the lock screen. For whatever reason, it’s gone on an unexpected hiatus, forcing you to use your PIN code to unlock the phone like it’s 2010. Frustrating, right? Well, you’re not alone.

Several Google Pixel owners are reporting a curious glitch after the recent March update (1,2,3,4,5,6). Across a range of devices, from the Pixel 6 to the brand-new Pixel 8 series, the fingerprint unlock feature seems to be playing hide-and-seek. The icon randomly vanishes from the lock screen, leaving users with no choice but to revert to those pesky PINs.

While a simple restart seems to coax the fingerprint icon back into existence, affected Pixel users who’ve tried this workaround say the issue comes back again after some time. Granted, facing this issue frequently can be quite a nuisance since you have to reboot your Pixel phone every time to bring back the fingerprint icon on the lock screen.

Google hasn’t officially commented on the situation just yet. However, with the April update coming soon, fingers are crossed for a swift resolution. Hopefully, Google will track down this gremlin and fix it swiftly in the next update. After all, in this fast-paced world, who has the time to input PIN codes when fingerprint unlock has gotten so good?

So, if you’ve got a Google Pixel 8, Pixel 7 or Pixel 6 unit and this is happening to you, stay tuned for updates and potential fixes as we track this developing story. Let’s hope Google can restore quick and convenient fingerprint unlock on affected Pixel phones soon.