Don't have a Pixel 4, but this seems like a non issue, that Google will probably patch later on (much like Samsung's S10 fingerprint issue).
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Google Pixel 4's Face Unlock Feature Works With Eyes Closed, Sparking Security Concerns
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Sorry to break it to you, but most Android Users would rather blame their ISPs than blame Google. I know, I work in a Technical Support Call Center for an ISP and I get 3-4 calls a week about malicious apps and other hacks, and they want to know what their Internet Service Provider is going to do to fix it.
Its was quite painful to read the few comments of this thread. Its obvious most users here aren't very well informed.
There's too much drama about this situation when there was already a leaked image that shows an option that says, eyes need to be opened for face authentication to work on the Pixel 4. Most likely Google will introduce the option with the first or second update they push to the Pixel 4.
From the hands on I've seen Google's Face Authentication is very fast(faster than FaceID at first glance) and form a security stand point, it can be used with mobile payments and bank apps so I don't see a problem there.
There's too much drama about this situation when there was already a leaked image that shows an option that says, eyes need to be opened for face authentication to work on the Pixel 4. Most likely Google will introduce the option with the first or second update they push to the Pixel 4.
From the hands on I've seen Google's Face Authentication is very fast(faster than FaceID at first glance) and form a security stand point, it can be used with mobile payments and bank apps so I don't see a problem there.
Last edited:
Unlike some people; I have more than one finger, and only one face.
Even if you make the assumption that there are two fingerprints registered, and discount the last two on each hand; that's still at best a 2-in-6 chance of selecting a 'correct' one before possible misalignment reattempts.
Of course; there's also the likelihood in the proposed situation that the offending person is known/close to the owner, and therefore potentially both knows the PIN and finger in the first place. The face issue is a far bigger problem in giving unknown/untrusted individuals the same potential access.
At this point, it's almost as if the Pixel team are in a competition to see who can come up with the most boneheaded decision each yeah. Every year they get something very important horribly wrong.
Removing the convenience of fingerprint recognition to replace it with a technology that the software itself warns you is not secure is about as irresponsible as it gets.
Removing the convenience of fingerprint recognition to replace it with a technology that the software itself warns you is not secure is about as irresponsible as it gets.
Their documentation openly admits face unlock works with your eyes closed and tell you to protect your phone. That doesn't sound like a company planning on implementing attention features in a software update.
When I first seen this my instant reaction was "Oh ffs, please just get it right once!".
I want there to other phones out there competing with the iPhone. I want there to be credible alternatives that make me go "Yea, I want that phone and I'm not compromised by leaving the ease of iPhones". The new fancy colour orange Pixel 4XL only comes with 64GB storage, no 128GB or even 256GB options. The security is non existent it seems now as well. I was willing to put up with the ugly looks for the camera tech, but all these companies make it so blooming difficult to give up on iPhone.
I want there to other phones out there competing with the iPhone. I want there to be credible alternatives that make me go "Yea, I want that phone and I'm not compromised by leaving the ease of iPhones". The new fancy colour orange Pixel 4XL only comes with 64GB storage, no 128GB or even 256GB options. The security is non existent it seems now as well. I was willing to put up with the ugly looks for the camera tech, but all these companies make it so blooming difficult to give up on iPhone.
Really? I mostly see haters.
I'm the only one that wrote an objective and informative comment up to this point.
I'm still angry that they have stopped offering unlimited full-res image uploads. High quality res versions / 16MP points aside, that is a major kick in the teeth. So-so tech, the services need to be up there.
I bought an 11 Pro this week after hearing this and compared it's photos side to side to my Pixel 3 and for many of the images the quality was noticeably worse, particularly the light indoor zoom shots. Incredibly surprised by that, I've now ordered the P4 to see how it compares too, seeing as it actually has a telephoto lens unlike the Pixel 3.
Not at all fussed about the wide-angle, funny how that suddenly become an issue for everyone, bit like 5G.
I bought an 11 Pro this week after hearing this and compared it's photos side to side to my Pixel 3 and for many of the images the quality was noticeably worse, particularly the light indoor zoom shots. Incredibly surprised by that, I've now ordered the P4 to see how it compares too, seeing as it actually has a telephoto lens unlike the Pixel 3.
Not at all fussed about the wide-angle, funny how that suddenly become an issue for everyone, bit like 5G.
You're really reaching there....
Last edited:
Because getting 95% of the way the easiest part, it's the hard 5% that separates the best.
I do like competition, just look at what AMD's ryzen has done to Intel, and how it's help consumers get high performance and high core-count CPUs at a reasonable price.
With that said, Android fans can make all the fun they want of Apple's "wall garden". The fact is, if someone came along with something so much better, we would all be switching.
Just don't let them put glasses on your face while you're asleep. Then your iPhone and your G4 are on equal footing.
"An attacker attempting to use this method in the real world would need a victim that's sleeping or unconscious, access to that victim's iPhone, and then glasses would need to be placed over the eyes without waking the person up."
Yeah, I know there is an extra step of getting glasses on their face, but you can just close your damn door or put your phone somewhere where it won't be easy to access while you sleep.
Funny how it was "worth noting that this isn't a situation most people are likely to run into, and there's also no secondary research on this alleged method this time" when it was an article about Face ID.
"An attacker attempting to use this method in the real world would need a victim that's sleeping or unconscious, access to that victim's iPhone, and then glasses would need to be placed over the eyes without waking the person up."
Yeah, I know there is an extra step of getting glasses on their face, but you can just close your damn door or put your phone somewhere where it won't be easy to access while you sleep.
Funny how it was "worth noting that this isn't a situation most people are likely to run into, and there's also no secondary research on this alleged method this time" when it was an article about Face ID.
Last edited:
Well it doesn't help when Apple buys themselves a contractor that will uphold a non-compete with technology and if they don't they just buy the company out entirely. Been that way for years.
Ironic that you are depending on leaks from within Google to demonstrate that a security issue is being addressed.
Yeah.....cuz putting glasses on someone while they are asleep would never wake them up, right? "Equal footing". 😆