Some Pixel 2 XL owners have reported that the fingerprint scanner on their device is slower after installing the Android 8.1 Oreo update.
Google is looking into the matter and it's expected to address the issue soon. In the meantime, however, there is one workaround that should fix the reaction speed of the Pixel 2 XL fingerprint scanner.
Pixel 2 XL Android 8.1 Update
Google started pushing the latest Android 8.1 Oreo to its Pixel and Nexus devices in early December. The update has been mostly smooth and without issues, but not for all.
Shortly after the release, some Pixel 2 XL owners took to the official Google support forum to report that their device's fingerprint scanner takes longer to respond on Android 8.1 than it did on Android 8.0. At the same time, it appears that it also takes longer for the display to turn on.
"Its not that the fingerprint scanner works slower because I feel the vibration very fast after I put my finger on the scanner but than it takes really long before the screen actually turns on," one Pixel 2 XL owner writes on Google's support forum.
Other Pixel 2 XL owners echoed the same concerns, reporting that their devices are indeed taking longer to unlock after installing the Android 8.1 Oreo update. Community manager Orrin, who works at Google, said he would gather additional information and bug reports from affected users.
Pixel 2 XL Workaround For Faster Fingerprint Scanner
Until Google gets to the bottom of this issue and comes up with a solution, it appears that a workaround does the trick and makes the Pixel 2 XL fingerprint scanner fast again.
More specifically, some Pixel 2 XL owners have noticed that turning on the smartphone's always-on display feature fixes the speed of the fingerprint scanner, Android Central reports. The always-on display, however, is a power-hungry feature that will take a toll on the device's battery life, so this might not be the best solution for everyone.
Those who prefer not to enable this feature have no other choice for now but to put up with a slower Pixel 2 XL and wait for an official fix. Since Google is already aware of the issue and it's looking into it, reaching out to affected users for bug reports, it shouldn't be too long before it offers a solution.
Have you experienced any issues with your Pixel 2 XL after the Android 8.1 update? Share your experience in the comments section below.
