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You can unlock the Google Pixel and Pixel 2 with your voice, but not the Pixel 3
June 24, 2025
Googlehas removed itsVoice Matchunlocking feature from the latest Pixel smartphones. The option is available on both the originalPixelsandPixel 2s, butPiunikawebrecently discovered it was missing from the newPixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.
Voice Match integrates withGoogle Assistantto offer a set of personalized actions and results for smartphones and smart speakers. On smart speakers, this could mean identifying a specific family member’s voice to tell them what’s on their personal agenda. With smartphones, its features include making calls, operating third-party apps, and unlocking the phone.
The Pixel 3 still allows you to use your voice to operate some aspects of your device — such as looking at your personal email, calendar, and contacts — but the device unlock aspect has been removed.
This may come as a disappointment to fans of the feature and we’re not entirely sure why it was ditched. Google has been promoting the Pixel 3’s security-focusedTitan Mchip recently and Voice Unlocking isn’t a completely secure method of accessing a smartphone, so it may be an attempt to tighten up device protection. The company alsodroppedAndroid’s stock face ID functionality Trusted Face from the Pixel 3, likely for the same reasons.
That being said, it’s odd for the more secure smartphone to lose functionality deemed suitable for the ostensibly less secure Pixel and Pixel 2 (which don’t include the Titan M chip). The jury’s still out on this one.
Up next:Google Pixel 3 review
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