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How to fix Pixel 6/Pixel 6 Pro fingerprint scanner issues when using Always On Display

The Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro features a setting where you can turn the screen into an Always On Display that will permanently show the clock and fingerprint sensor.

With AoD enabled, however, the fingerprint sensor may have a hard time recognizing your fingerprint. You can check out this step-by-step guide from Seeking Tech to see how you can potentially fix this issue.

1. The first fix we recommend trying is to change the window, transition and animator scales to 1x.

In order to do so, you need to do the following:

  • First off, make sure that the developer options menu has been unlocked. To unlock it, swipe upwards from the home menu to show off a list of installed apps you have on your smartphone. You then need to select Settings.
  • In the Settings app, tap the “About phone” phone.
  • Inside the “About phone” menu, tap the “Build number” option quickly 7 times to unlock developer options.
  • Next, return to the first page of the Settings app and then select System.
  • In the System menu, select the “Developer options.”
  • Inside the “Developers options” menu, make sure that the “Use developer options” setting is enabled.
  • Afterwards, scroll down until you get to Window animation scale, Transition animation scale and Animator duration scale.
  • Select any of the three to open a pop-up menu.
  • In the pop-up menu, select the “Animation scale 1x.”
  • Set the other two animations settings to “Animation scale 1x.”

2. You can also try updating the firmware of your Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro phone as it may resolve the fingerprint sensor issues when Always On Display is enabled.

In order to do so, you can take the following steps:

  • Open the Settings app.
  • Inside of Settings, tap System.
  • In the System menu, you then need to tap “System update.”
  • If there is a software update available, then follow the on-screen instructions.

3. If you are still experiencing issues with your fingerprint when using Always On Display, then we recommend disabling that feature by doing the following:

  • Head into the Settings app.
  • In Settings, tap Display.
  • Inside the Display menu, tap the “Lock screen” option.
  • In the “Lock screen” menu, make sure that the “Always show time and info” setting is disabled.
  • With “Always show time and info” disabled, you will be able to turn the screen of your Google Pixel 6 or Google Pixel 6 Pro completely off by pressing the power button. In order to open the lock screen, press the same power button again to turn your screen back on.

By disabling the “Always show time and info” setting, you will also save battery life as the screen of your phone won’t be constantly turned on.

4. Your issues may also be related to just the fingerprint sensor in general. You can check out this troubleshooting tutorial to see how you can possibly fix the recognition issues with the sensor.