Google may fix one of Pixel Face Unlock’s biggest problems with Android 17

oh – Divyanshi Sharma

Published: Thursday, October 22, 2026, 6:00 p.m [IST]

Google could soon make Face Unlock more useful on Pixel phones by addressing one of its biggest limitations — unlocking the phone in low-light conditions. The feature was spotted by Android Authority during an APK teardown.

Code found in the Android 17 QPR3 Beta 2 suggests that the company is working on a new feature called Face Active Illumination, which will use the phone’s screen to illuminate the user’s face when there is not enough light for facial recognition.

Now even though Google is yet to officially announce the feature, the code offers a glimpse of how the feature works and the settings users can control it.

Google could add a bright screen and low light feature

The feature appears to be listed under the name ‘Brighten Screen in Low Light’ in the Face Unlock settings. As the name suggests, it would increase the brightness of the screen to illuminate the user’s face, which would help the front camera recognize them in dark environments.

According to the code, the feature can have two modes. By default, the screen will brighten when the phone can partially see the user’s face. There can also be a “complete darkness” option that activates the feature even when the surrounding is pitch black.

The feature could also include a one-time confirmation prompt when users activate it for the first time. Another possible addition is a slider that allows users to adjust the brightness behavior, with options described as “comfortable” and “reliable”. The comfortable setting could prioritize reducing the discomfort of a bright screen in the dark, while the reliable option could focus on improving facial recognition.

These details are based on code found in a beta release, so the final interface and available settings may change before a public rollout.

Pixel users may be able to check when the feature is working

The leaked code also suggests that Google could let users decide when the screen lighting feature works. Potential controls include do not disturb, bedtime and driving modes.

This could be useful because a sudden burst of bright light can be uncomfortable in a dark room. It could also be distracting when driving at night, which makes checking for these situations especially important.

Android Authority also managed to enable the feature on a test device and found the toggle in the Face Unlock settings. However, its presence in a beta build does not confirm that the feature will reach all supported Pixel phones or work exactly as it currently appears.

Google has not confirmed a release date

For now, Face Active Illumination remains an unannounced feature discovered in the Android 17 QPR3 Beta 2 code. Google hasn’t confirmed if it plans to release it, which Pixel models will support it or when it will be available.

The interface also appears to be a work in progress, so the company may make further changes before the feature reaches users. So Pixel owners will have to wait for an official announcement or an upcoming beta release to learn if this potential Face Unlock improvement is on the way.