Update: Google is reportedly currently working on a fix for the Pixel 6's fingerprint recognition issue

You may have heard or noticed that the fingerprint scanner on the Google Pixel 6 is quite slow; Google has apparently heard these complaints and is now providing an explanation

In reply to users complaining about this slow scanning speed, the Made By Google Twitter account stated that the reason it takes longer than average is because the sensor "uses an enhanced security algorithm"

While this sounds like a fair exchange of speed for security, Google does not elaborate in the tweet what exactly the sensor does beyond the typical under-display scanner; the Google Store specifications page also states, " Fingerprint Unlock with under-display fingerprint sensor" and does not specify anything more than that

Optical under-display fingerprint scanners are a standard feature on Android flagship phones, with the exception of Samsung's Galaxy S21, which uses an ultrasonic scanner Tom's Guide, which has tested many such phones, agrees that the Pixel 6 is unusually slow compared to other optical under-display fingerprint scanners, such as the one in the OnePlus 9 Pro, and external scanners, such as the one in Google's own Pixel 5a I agree with the opinion that

If you are struggling with the fingerprint scanner on your own Pixel 6, there is one option that can help you It has been reported that enabling the "Increase Touch Sensitivity" setting will allow the system to register your fingerprint faster, thus allowing you to get into the phone faster However, when we tried it, we did not notice any difference

Similarly, the scanner may not be so secure after all One Reddit user (via Android Police) complained that his wife was able to unlock his phone (registered with a thumbprint) using his index finger However, he states that he uses a third-party screen protector Perhaps this is more of a problem with the way the phone interacts with the unknown extra layer between the sensor and the finger than with the phone itself [The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro were the two best Android phones we tested this year, even if the fingerprint scanner is subtle Samsung's Galaxy S22 will face stiff competition when it arrives next year, thanks to its combination of Google's low price, excellent photography, and smarts with the Tensor chipset