Installing Android 13 beta 4.1 fixes the fingerprint scanners on the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro

Last night, this writer bit the bullet and installed Android 13 beta 4.1 on my Pixel 6 Pro. To be honest, with the latest version listed as a release candidate (as was beta 4.0), the idea of installing a beta version of my daily driver’s operating system started swirling through my brain without worrying about any drawbacks. It’s not like I haven’t done this before as a few years ago I joined the Android 11 beta with my Pixel 2 XL and that phone was my daily driver at the time.
For a few weeks, we have been telling you in various articles that Android 13 beta testers with the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro were much happier with the under-display fingerprint scanner after they installed the beta. As you might know by now, Google decided to use an optical version of the under-display fingerprint sensor instead of opting to use the more expensive  ultrasonic biometric reader like the one found in the Galaxy S22 series.
The Pixel 6 series fingerprint sensor was laggy and slow, and there were frustrating times when it didn’t work at all. The latter occurrences usually took place right when you need to unlock the device right away. 

But there is good news. From my personal experience, installing the latest beta version of Android 13 has made the Pixel 6 Pro fingerprint scanner faster, more accurate, and problem-free. This is probably the experience that Google was aiming for from the start. On Reddit, other Pixel 6 series users raved about improved battery life (which is the opposite of what typically happens when you install a beta version of your handset’s operating system).

If you’re worried about installing Android 13 beta 4.1 on your daily driver, thus far we haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary take place. The only thing that you must do is leave the beta program when the final stable version of Android 13 is released by Google. If you fail to exit the beta program in time, you will have to wipe your device before doing so.

To install Android 13 beta 4.1 on the Pixel 4 line through the Pixel 6 series, go to www.google.com/android/beta or click on this link. Tap the rectangular box that says “View your eligible devices” and that will take you to a photo of your Pixel with a box that says “Opt in” underneath. Tap on that box and the process will start. Check Settings > System > System update and install the beta update.
Those with the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro should check out the fingerprint sensor first once the beta has been installed. The phone overall feels a little smoother. If you’ve been thinking about giving up on the device, wait until you install the beta first before you make your final decision.

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