How to Unlock Your Android Phone With Your Fitbit

Bluetooth devices you trust can be set to unlock your phone

by
Andy )'Donnell
Andy O'Donnell
Writer
Andy O'Donnell, MA, is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire and a senior security engineer who is active in internet and network security.
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Andy O'Donnell
Updated on October 22, 2021

When it comes to unlocking your smartphone, the PIN or passcode isn't the only option for security. With advances such as biometric-based security in Apple's Touch ID and later Face ID, the ways to unlock smartphones have expanded. Here's how to unlock an Android phone using a Fitbit and the operating system's Smart Lock feature.

Use Fitbit and Smart Lock to Unlock Your Android Phone

Android users got quick unlock features when Smart Lock capabilities were introduced in Android Lollipop 5.0 OS. Smart Lock added several new locking and unlocking methods, and it also improved on the previous facial recognition feature offered in earlier versions of the OS. It can use a trusted Bluetooth device's presence to unlock a phone.

Here's how to set up Android Smart Lock to use a Fitbit (or any trusted Bluetooth device) to unlock a phone.

These directions should apply no matter who made your Android phone: Samsung, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, or others.

  1. Set a password or pattern for your device. If you don't have one yet, open Settings, then go to Security > Screen Lock.

    If there is an existing PIN or passcode, enter it here. Otherwise, follow the instructions to create a new pattern, password, or PIN to secure your device.

  2. In the Screen lock type section, choose between Pattern, PIN, or Password for a Screen Lock.

    Using Swipe doesn't allow you to set up Smart Lock.

    An Android user sets up a PIN on their smartphone

  3. To use the Smart Lock feature with a trusted Bluetooth device, make sure that Smart Lock is enabled. Go to Settings > Security > Smart Lock.

    You are prompted to enter your chosen Pattern, PIN, or Password before proceeding.

  4. Select On-body detection.

    An Android user enables Smart Lock

  5. Toggle Use On-body detection on.

  6. In the Keep in mind dialog box, select Continue.

    An Android user enables on-body detection

  7. Return to the Smart Lock screen and select Trusted devices.

  8. Select the + (Plus sign) next to Add trusted device.

  9. Select your Fitbit.

    If you don't see your Fitbit, you may need to enable Bluetooth or re-sync the Fitbit.

    An Android user connects their Fitbit to Smart Lock

  10. Confirm the addition of your Fitbit as a trusted device by selecting Yes, Add.

Depending on the range of your phone's Bluetooth radio, someone nearby could access your phone if the device you paired it to for Smart Unlock is nearby.

Remove a Trusted Bluetooth Device in Smart Lock

When you no longer want to use the trusted Bluetooth device, turn off Smart Lock.

  1. Go to Settings > Security > Smart Lock.

  2. Enter your passcode and select Next.

  3. Select Trusted devices.

  4. Select your Fitbit.

  5. Select Remove Trusted Device.

    An Android user removes their Fitbit Versa 3 as a trusted device

Unlocking your smartphone with a Bluetooth device can increase the risk of unauthorized access. For example, if you're in a meeting in the room next door to your office and your phone is left unattended on your desk, someone could access it without the passcode because your paired device—your Fitbit, watch, or other paired Smart Lock-trusted device—is within range for it to unlock the phone.

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