This forgotten Android setting saves me from constantly unlocking my phone

This forgotten Android setting saves me from constantly unlocking my phone

Android has evolved a lot since the first phone arrived back in 2008. Even in the last 4–5 years, there are dozens of new features you've likely forgotten about or never remember to use.

Your Android phone is packed with features, whether they're highlighted by Samsung, Google, or another manufacturer, or hidden deep in the settings menu, out of sight and hard to remember.

One such feature is 'Extend Unlock,' which debuted in November 2014 with Android 5.0 Lollipop and was called Smart Lock. Eventually, Google rebranded it to Extend Unlock, and it'll change how you use your phone.

It doesn't matter if you've used Android for years or if you just switched from an iPhone; there are likely too many features to keep track of, which is where we come in. I recently realized I've been using this hidden lock-screen setting for over a decade that saves me from having to unlock my phone, and many people probably forgot it exists. Here's how to take advantage of Extend Unlock on your phone.

What is Extend Unlock on Android?

As the name suggests, Extend Unlock on your Android device extends the time your phone stays unlocked. It lets you avoid constantly entering your PIN when you're at a trusted place like your home or work, or when it's connected to a trusted Bluetooth device like a smartwatch.

When you're sitting on the couch at home, do you really need a lock screen security measure? I hate constantly unlocking my phone, so I turned on Extend Unlock, and now the software handles everything for me.

Extend Unlock will recognize when you're at home or at a trusted place, when your watch, stereo, or other trusted devices are nearby or connected, or when you're holding the device. In those situations, you won't need a lock screen security measure.

In those situations, like when you're at home, it'll automatically turn off your lock screen security system. That way, you can grab your phone, wake it up, and go without fumbling with a pin or fingerprint. Extend Unlock keeps your phone unlocked for up to 4 hours, or until you leave that location.

It'll instantly reactivate your lock screen security when you leave, disconnect from a watch, car stereo, etc. It doesn't matter whether you use a security PIN, password, or fingerprint to unlock your phone; this feature works on all Android phones.

How to use Extend Unlock

Having a secure lock screen on your phone is important, especially if it's lost or stolen. But when that's not a concern—like when you're just relaxing at home—putting in your code or using the fingerprint scanner 50 times gets annoying. That's where Extend Unlock saves the day, and it's a game-changer.

Extend Unlock is available by navigating to theSecurity & privacymenu on Pixel devices and most other Android phones. Start by going to Settings > Security & privacy > More Security & privacy >Extend Unlock.

Or, you'll find it inside theLock screen and AODmenu on Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI.

Once you're on the main Extend Unlock page, you'll see the three main ways to take advantage of this hidden but excellent feature. Again, those include when you're holding the device, when you're at home or at a trusted place, or when a watch or another trusted device is connected and nearby.

The latter two options make the most sense, but I don't love the first option. Whichever option you choose is up to you. Once you select Extend Unlock, you'll have to enter your PIN, password, or fingerprint, and then you'll be able to turn on some of these settings.

Tap on the option you'd like, which for me is Trusted Places. When you're home or somewhere you trust, flip the switch to on, then tap again to set up that specific location. Choose "Add trusted place," enter your address, or pin it on the map, and you're all done.

Now, whenever you arrive at home, your phone's secure lock screen method will disappear, and you'll be able to turn on the screen and use it at will. It's extremely convenient, and I don't really understand why Google has it hidden so deep in the settings menu.

I also use Extend Unlock on both of our vehicles. That way, I don't have to fumble with my PIN or fingerprint when I'm sitting as a passenger in the car and want to start a playlist or get navigation directions.

And if you use a smartwatch, you can set your phone to stay unlocked when you're near your watch, which is pretty neat.

What about On-Body Detection?

In case you didn't notice, I didn't mention much about the third option here: on-body detection mode. Essentially, your phone can "tell" when it's in your hand or pocket and automatically disable the lock screen. Some people use this, and Google put a lot of work into this several years ago.

However, I'm not the biggest fan of the idea. See, your phone can't tell if you're the person holding it or someone else. So, if you forget your phone at a restaurant table or a thief takes it, it'll think you're holding the phone and disable your lock screen security, giving someone full access to the device. These days, with our entire lives on a mobile device, no thanks.

Instead, I only use the other two options in Extend Unlock when I'm home, or if it's connected to a watch or my car stereo. Either way, it's a fantastic feature that I've absolutely loved for over a decade. You probably already know about it or even used it back in the 2010s, but eventually forgot about it. If so, you're welcome!

I find Extend Unlock to be one of Android's most underrated features, so if you want to make using your phone easier than ever when you're in a safe location, give it a try today.