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Do the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro Have a Fingerprint Scanner?

Both the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have an optical fingerprint reader under the display. Here is where it is, how to enroll your finger, and how to troubleshoot failed scans.
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Yes. The Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro both support Fingerprint Unlock with an optical sensor built into the display. The reader is near the bottom of the screen—not on the back or the power button.

Pixel 6 fingerprint scanner at a glance

Phone Sensor type Location What it can do
Pixel 6 Optical, under-display fingerprint sensor On the screen toward the bottom of the display Unlock the phone, authorize purchases and unlock supported apps
Pixel 6 Pro Optical, under-display fingerprint sensor On the screen toward the bottom of the display Unlock the phone, authorize purchases and unlock supported apps

Where to find and set up Fingerprint Unlock

Look for the fingerprint prompt in the lower portion of the display. The reader is not a visible physical button; the phone illuminates the sensing area when authentication is requested.

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  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Security & privacy.
  3. Select Device unlock, then Fingerprint.
  4. Follow the on-screen enrollment prompts and register the finger you intend to use.

On Pixel 6 and later, press and hold your enrolled finger on the sensor until the phone unlocks. The same biometric check can approve purchases and open apps that support fingerprint authentication.

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Why your Pixel 6 fingerprint may not work

When scans fail, work through these checks in order:

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  • Install the latest available Android update.
  • Clean and dry the display, especially the area near the bottom of the screen.
  • Press firmly and keep your finger still rather than tapping quickly.
  • Use the same finger that was enrolled during setup.
  • In bright outdoor sunlight, shade the sensor while maintaining firm pressure.
  • If recognition remains unreliable, delete the saved fingerprint and enroll it again through Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Fingerprint.

Screen protectors can affect the sensor

Google warns that a screen protector without Made for Google certification may interfere with the fingerprint sensor’s function or security. If you install or replace a protector, use a Made for Google certified model and re-enroll your fingerprints afterward. Re-enrollment is especially important when the protector changes the screen’s optical characteristics.

Fingerprint privacy on Pixel 6

In a 2021 Google Security Blog statement, Google said the Pixel 6’s optical under-display fingerprint sensor keeps biometric information secure and that it never leaves the device. That statement describes Google’s Pixel 6 implementation; it should not be treated as a guarantee about unrelated Android phones.

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What if the reader or screen is damaged?

A damaged display assembly or fingerprint reader may require hardware repair. iFixit publishes separate replacement guides for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, so verify the exact model before ordering a part or following a repair procedure. Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro components should not be assumed interchangeable.

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