One of the security features of Android is the NFC smart lock/unlock feature, where users can tap a trusted NFC tag to unlock their device. This means that in addition to passcodes, fingerprints, pattern unlocks, and more, this is another option that users can choose. It is a clever idea but for some reason Google has decided to do away with the feature.
In a post on the Issue Tracker on Google’s website, one user writes, “Smart Lock with NFC was available and worked perfectly fine when the phone was running Android 6.0.1. After updating to Android 8.0.0 by following the instructions on the “Factory Images for Nexus and Pixel Devices” page, the option to enable Smart Lock with NFC is no longer available.”
Initially thought to be a bug, it was later confirmed by a Google employee that the feature had been deprecated. “SmartLock NFC feature has been deprecated for new users. If you are not existing NFC users, the option will be hidden.” If you have enabled the feature since the start, it should not be an issue but if you’re someone who has only recently made a Google account in the past few months then you won’t have access to it.
It has also been suggested that those who do have it to remain signed into their device lest they lose access to it as well. Like we said it is unclear why Google removed it, perhaps it wasn’t as widely used as they had hoped and maintaining it would have been unnecessary, but either way we guess you shouldn’t expect to see it in future devices or Android updates anymore.
Google Quietly Kills Off Android’s NFC Smart Unlock Feature , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.
Post a Comment