Google starts replacing the full phone unlock "Voice Match"

With Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, Google has removed the ability of Voice Match to act as a password and to completely unlock your smartphone. Google announced at CES 2019 that this new behavior would be coming to all Android devices, with the change starting to be released.

Instead of a full device unlock, Voice Match recognition on phones and tablets can now only provide "Personal Results" to the Assistant, such as email and calendar entries. The complete list of answers – in the form of a verbal or visual card – includes:

• Email, including personal Gmail results, such as flight reservations and accounts
• Google calendar
• Contacts
• Sticky notes
• Memory Aids
• Shopping Lists

Without inserting a pin, password, or fingerprint, users can now only interact with the wizard interface on the lock screen. This limited form of access is represented by a padlock icon at the top of the screen. Previously, users, once their voice was recognized, could press the "Home" button and return to the fully unlocked home screen after a simple command like "Ok Google, check the weather."

New voice game

Pixel 3

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Pixel 3

This is a possible problem because Voice Match is not an absolutely secure form of authentication. The change also has the advantage of syncing the Voice Match feature – now a Wizard feature – with Google Home's speakers and Smart Displays.

Security-wise, this new behavior makes sense, but there are some hassles after using for several months on a Pixel 3. Namely, issuing a voice command to something as simple as "play music" requires you to unlock a device. This change is a nuisance and avoids the use of hands-free commands, but in the end is for the better.

This suspension of use of the "Unblock with voice match" feature is being implemented through a server-side upgrade, but we have already identified it with Google app 9.27 (the current stable version) on a Moto Z and one pixel XL. Other devices that we've checked out with Google app 9.31 have not yet lost their full voice unlock.

Old voice game

Pixel 2

Pixel 2

When this disapproval is posted to your device, targeting the Google Assistant settings> Wizard tab> wizard device list> and Phone will reveal that the "Unblock with voice match" toggle has been replaced with "Lock personal screen results ".

In past APK insights, we've detected a request that users must see before this "override" is implemented widely. Meanwhile, in early January, Google noted that this "feature is reaching all Android devices in the coming weeks."

The Voice Matching feature to unlock that you're using has been replaced with a more secure way to get personal results while the device is locked. You can change this in the "

Thank you Henry!

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