New Biometric Feature in Google Chrome for Android

Google Chrome for Android is developing a new security feature to boost password autofill protection in untrusted locations. The feature, named Identity Check, aims to enforce biometric authentication before autofilling passwords via Google Password Manager and could also apply to apps typically secured with a PIN or passcode.

This development was shared in a joint report that included insights from a well-known tipster. Once activated, Identity Check will require biometric verification for accessing apps outside secure locations, extending to those that usually require a passcode or PIN. This will also affect the Google Password Manager.

A tipster-provided screenshot shows that users will need to authenticate using biometrics, likely through a fingerprint scanner, to access passwords stored in their Google accounts. This feature was spotted in a specific Chrome version for Android.

However, this feature will only be accessible on Android devices that have received a minimum of the December update of Android 15, commonly known as Android 15 QPR1, or later versions. It's expected to be implemented via a update to the system infrastructure of the Google Play Settings application and is slated to roll out to Android phones in December.

Google Chrome has also recently enhanced its passkey support, making it easier to sign in across various devices. The update allows users to use a Google Password Manager PIN across multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android, helping to synchronize their saved passkeys.

Additionally, although users must set up a screen lock, the update provides options to use either a PIN or a blend of a unique code along with a design sequence to gain access to their various accounts across multiple gadgets.