You can’t unlock the Pixel 3 with your voice

For quite some time now, you’ll be able to unlock your Android phone with an “OK Google.” With “Unlock with Voice Match,” you could do this with past Google Pixel phones. But now Google quietly took this feature out from the latest Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL phones. As it explained on its support page, “On Pixel 3 phones, you can’t unlock your phone by saying ‘Ok Google.’ Instead, you can use the Google Assistant on your lock screen.” This change takes away a lot of functionality. You used to be able to make calls, send messages, and access third-party apps via Google Assistant voice support without needing to unlock your phone.

Google replaces the “Unlock with Voice Match” toggle in the Pixel 2’s Assistant settings on the Pixel 3’s settings with a “Lock screen personal results” toggle. And this now reads “Use Voice Match to access personal results like email, calendar, contacts, and reminders when your phone is locked.” It isn’t clear why Google opted to take this out.

But one theory is that Voice Match possess a security issue, allowing someone with a similar sounding voice, or even a voice recording, to unlock your phone. Another is that Google might think its new Pixel Stand serves as a better hands-free solution that will let you use Google Assistant without unlocking your phone while it’s docked.

Source: The Verge