Apologies If I can’t list specific 3rd Android OS here. I know you can’t on some reddit privacy subs due to some beef between devs I guess. I’ll take down if needed :)

Regardless, Ive been running GOS for a while and just found out theres a feature that allows you to use biometrics while still requiring your pin on the initial lock screen. One of my concerns with biometrics is that in some jurisdictions, law enforcement can force someone to open their phone through face ID or thumb print.

I’ve been using this feature that allows you to use biometrics but when you are on the lock screen, it still requires your pin. I thought this was really cool because it allows me to use biometrics only to unlock my apps while still adding an extra layer of protection to the unlocking of the device itself. Obviously slightly Inconvenient depending on your worries/threat level, but I just wanted to share this in case anyone else was interested and didnt know about it! Very cool!

EDIT: I just re-read my screenshot and it looks like fingerprint unlock is not correlated to using fingerprint for app unlocking. If this is the case then I’m not quite sure what the actual benefits are here. Please feel free to clarify!

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  • Fisch@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    I use biometrics for unlock too. If you click “Lockdown” in the power menu or just hold down the power button until your phone restarts (it should vibrate, so you can even do this while it’s still in your pocket), it requires the PIN again in order to be able to unlock it.

  • Telorand@reddthat.com
    0·
    2 months ago

    Nice! That’s pretty cool, and law enforcement is a reason I stopped using my fingerprint to unlock my phone. Having an extra layer of security, even if just a technicality in the case of being forced to use my print, is nice.

    • JackAttack@lemmy.dbzer0.comOP
      0·
      2 months ago

      Same here. Although I have no real reason with my threat level. But I could see how it could be relevant for some people. I also liked the idea because regular people could potentially use your thumb print when sleeping or something so this stops that Initial unlock.

  • chrand@lemmy.mlEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    Thanks for sharing, this is indeed a great feature and makes GOS even stronger! Just enabled and love it!

    For the home screen, I keep the regular PIN, so I have to type instead of using fingertips. But for apps that requires authentication (after you are already logged in), it’s really convenient use fingertips instead of the pin for convenience.

  • Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    Even with this, biometrics could be construed as proof that it is your phone, whereas just a password or pin still has some degree of deniability

    • kn33@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      2 months ago

      That’s only if you’re going for true “burner” levels of security

    • JackAttack@lemmy.dbzer0.comOP
      0·
      2 months ago

      True. I didn’t really consider the connection and more of the security side. I’m sure it differs but do you know if proof of ownership make a difference if they catch you with it in possession in the first place?

      • Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
        0·
        2 months ago

        IANAL, but if used as a burner phone with nothing identifiable on the device itself, you could probably claim you found it on the ground somewhere. You wont get the phone back most likely but that might be better than the alternative