All articles tagged with #lockscreen
A security flaw on Android's lock screen lets an attacker with physical access trigger Gemini AI to send messages or grant app access without unlocking, potentially compromising phone settings and data. Google has acknowledged the issue and plans a security patch this week; users should avoid leaving devices unattended to mitigate risk.
Researchers describe an Android lockscreen authentication bypass in Gemini that can allow sending SMS and re-enabling apps like WhatsApp from the lockscreen by exploiting a PIN prompt bypass (Add attachment + Continue). Google is aware and a fix is in progress; the vulnerability may affect more than Pixel devices, underscoring edge-case bypass risks on Android (with similar concerns noted for iOS).
iOS 27’s public beta introduces a slew of non‑AI improvements: smoother AutoMix transitions in Music, iCloud Shared Albums with full‑resolution sharing, independent alarm volume in Settings, a new extra‑large Home Screen widget with full‑screen options for Music/Photos/Weather/Calendar, the ability to dismiss the Now Playing widget on the Lock Screen, moving the clock to the top area of the Lock Screen, saving a video frame as a photo, a redesigned Apple Pay checkout flow, expanded landscape support across more apps, a refreshed Find My design with richer location details, a clipboard paste shortcut above the next keyboard, and a CarPlay audio scrubber for quick scrubbing in cars.
Google Wallet now supports displaying travel information such as flights and train trips via Live Updates on Android 16, allowing users to view key travel details directly on their lockscreen. Samsung devices with One UI 8 and Google Play services 25.41 can also display this travel info through the Now Bar.
iOS 26 introduces easy methods to create custom lock screens on iPhone, allowing users to set wallpapers, add widgets, and personalize fonts and colors through settings, Photos, or direct lock screen customization, enabling a personalized and stylish lock screen experience.
Google is rolling out a new feature for its AI model Gemini on Android, allowing users to make calls and send messages directly from the lock screen using voice commands. This feature, currently in beta, requires the "Hey Google" command and is available on select devices. Users must ensure their calling and messaging apps are enabled in Gemini settings. While not all devices support this feature yet, it is part of a broader set of lock screen functionalities that include controlling alarms, media, and more.
To protect your credit card information, iPhone users are advised to disable the "Reply with Message" feature from the lock screen, which can be accessed without unlocking the phone. This precaution is particularly important for those who use iPhone cases that double as wallets. The article provides step-by-step instructions on how to turn off this feature, as well as other lock screen features like Siri, Wallet app, and Home app access, to enhance security and privacy in case the iPhone is lost or stolen.
Google's At a Glance feature on Pixel phones will now show "Ridesharing" status on the lockscreen, with a toggle added to the main settings list. The feature will display how far away a car is from the user's position, with Lyft and Uber being supported. At a Glance already shows delivery and pickup status from "Food and household orders." Google is also working on loud sound alerts and shortcuts to airport and other transit schedules for the feature.