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What Android trusted-device locking does
Google calls the feature Extend Unlock; it was formerly known as Smart Lock. Once set up, it can keep your phone unlocked while it remains connected to a Bluetooth device you trust, such as a watch or car speaker system. It is a convenience feature, not a precise proximity lock: a Bluetooth connection can continue beyond the distance where you might expect the phone to be safely within reach.
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Google says Extend Unlock can keep a device unlocked for up to four hours at a time. That is the documented maximum active period, not a delay that you can set to begin after Bluetooth disconnects. Settings labels and availability vary by phone and Android version.
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Add or remove a trusted Bluetooth device
- Set a screen lock if you have not already. Extend Unlock requires one.
- Turn on Bluetooth and pair the accessory with your phone using the usual Bluetooth settings.
- Open Settings > Security & privacy > More security & privacy > Extend Unlock. Authenticate with your screen-lock credential. Some phones use different labels or routes, such as Security & location; consult the device’s settings search if the path differs.
- Tap Trusted devices > Add trusted device, choose the paired device, and follow any confirmation prompts. You may need to unlock the phone again.
- To stop trusting an accessory, return to the same trusted-device area and remove it.
Choose an accessory that is not normally attached to or carried with the phone. Google advises against devices such as a Bluetooth keyboard or case that are always with it. A watch or car Bluetooth system may be more appropriate, depending on how and where you use the phone. Google’s setup guidance is in Choose when your Android phone can stay unlocked.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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Can you adjust Bluetooth range or lock delay?
Bluetooth range
Google’s documented Extend Unlock settings do not include a control for setting a smaller trusted-device radius. Google says range depends on the phone, Bluetooth device, and environment; Bluetooth connectivity may reach up to 100 meters, but that is a possible range, not a reliable locking boundary. Walls, surroundings, and the particular devices affect actual connectivity, so do not rely on distance alone to secure an unattended phone.
If the phone stays unlocked farther from an accessory than you are comfortable with, remove that accessory from Trusted devices or stop using Extend Unlock. Moving farther away is not a dependable substitute for manually locking the phone.
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Lock delay
Extend Unlock does not offer a documented setting to choose how many seconds after a Bluetooth disconnection the phone should lock. Its up-to-four-hour unlocked period is a maximum for the feature, not a Bluetooth-disconnect timer.
Do not confuse that behavior with Google’s separate on-body detection timings: after you set the phone down, it can take up to one minute to lock; after you enter a vehicle, it can take five to ten minutes. Those timings apply to on-body detection, not a Bluetooth trusted-device delay.
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How Motorola Auto lock differs
Some Motorola phones offer Auto lock, a separate feature rather than a universal Android setting or another name for Extend Unlock. Motorola documents it as locking immediately after disconnection from a trusted Bluetooth device, trusted Wi-Fi network, or trusted place. Its support article directs users to Moto Secure or to Settings > Security & privacy > More security & privacy > Auto lock, where they can enable the feature and add a trusted item. Exact availability depends on the model and software.
| Feature | Trigger | Documented behavior | Adjustment and availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Extend Unlock | Phone remains connected to a selected trusted Bluetooth device | Keeps the phone unlocked; Google documents up to four hours at a time | No user-set Bluetooth radius or Bluetooth-disconnect delay is documented. Google provides Android guidance; menus vary by device. |
| Motorola Auto lock | Disconnection from a trusted Bluetooth device, Wi-Fi network, or place | Locks immediately after disconnection | Separate Motorola feature; availability depends on model and software. The cited Motorola guidance does not offer a selectable disconnect delay. |
For Motorola’s instructions, see Motorola Support: Auto lock. Do not assume Auto lock is present on other Android phones.
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Reduce risk or temporarily disable Extend Unlock
A trusted connection makes unlocking more convenient, but it also creates situations in which someone who gets hold of the phone near the accessory may be able to use it. Google warns that someone may imitate a Bluetooth connection. Use only an accessory you control, and manually lock the phone before leaving it unattended or when the surroundings make continued unlocking inappropriate.
For a temporary override, press Power and Volume Up, then choose Lockdown. This disables Extend Unlock on the lock screen and also disables fingerprint or face unlocking where supported until you unlock the phone again. To turn off the convenience behavior longer-term, remove the trusted device in Extend Unlock.
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- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
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- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
If the phone does not behave as expected
- Extend Unlock is missing: Check Settings search for “Extend Unlock” or “Smart Lock.” The menu route and label can differ by manufacturer and Android version, and the feature requires a screen lock.
- The accessory is not listed: Confirm Bluetooth is on and the accessory is paired, then revisit Trusted devices. Follow any secure-connection or unlock confirmation shown by the phone.
- The phone remains unlocked too far away: There is no documented radius control in Google’s Extend Unlock instructions. Remove the accessory or disable the feature rather than relying on a distance estimate.
- The phone does not lock when Bluetooth disconnects: Extend Unlock is designed to extend the unlocked state while connected; it is not a configurable disconnect-lock timer. Motorola’s immediate-disconnect Auto lock is a distinct option on supported Motorola models.
These Android instructions do not establish equivalent iPhone settings; the cited guidance covers Android and Motorola devices only.
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