Smart Lock trusted places or devices not working

[SallyC]

I have a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge plus running android 5.1.1 and play services 8.1.15.    No root, just stock, no other lock screen apps. 

I set up Android Pay which requires screen lock and selected fingerprint.   I also set up Smart Lock> trusted places and trusted devices for both my home location and two Bluetooth devices: my car and my headset.   No matter where I am, or what Bluetooth I'm connected to, the S6 wants a fingerprint to undo the lock screen.

This is really frustrating as I'm almost always, if it worked, in a situation where I don't need screen lock.   And if I disable it, because I'm home, Android Pay notifies me that it's going to remove my credit cards!   I hope it just means it will disable them until I start up the screen lock and not that I'd have to go through the whole add a card process again, but I haven't tested it out.  If anyone knows, I'd be curious.

But my real issue is what's wrong with Smart Lock?  Is it just me?  Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.  I was excited about using Android Pay and having a more secure phone is always good, but not if Smart Lock is not working.  Then it's just a pain.

Thanks.

[Snn5]

Android Pay requires a PIN or Pattern at least.  If you remove that screen lock and choose none or swipe, then the cards WILL be deleted.  That PIN protects the rest of the phone.  Android Pay has poised itself to be used on a grander scale and more frequently now that it is less of a novelty feature like Google Wallet was in the early days some 4 years ago. Rather than the old Wallet where you just tapped the app and entered the Wallet PIN, your (Wallet) Android Pay PIN is now your Lockscreen.  So, in essence the PIN method is reversed. 

I will say that I do not use a Samsung phone, but I do use Wallet and AP.  I also do not have a fingerprint sensor on my LG G2.  But, perhaps the first paragraph explains a portion of your question.

[SallyC]

Thanks for the warning about removing the screen lock.  I like Android Pay, I just wish I could get Smart Lock to work.

[Snn5]

I went back through my phone and found my Smart Lock in Lockscreen settings.  I didn't have mine set up and it asked to set a Pattern lock, since I don't have a fingerprint scanner.  Wondering if you can set it to PIN or Pattern instead of Fingerprint.  I added a bluetooth headset to my Trusted Devices just to see how this works.  While it does work for me, keeping the screen from locking as long as my BT is connected, I think this might have more to do with Fingerprint settings, especially if you cannot select another method for Smart Lock.

[SallyC]

Thanks for the reply.  I did try a PIN and it still didn't work for me.

I'm curious if it's an S6 thing, which version of Play Services you have or something else then.  I've talked to other people and it's not working for them either, but it's interesting it is for you.

It's too bad with Android Pay rolling out that Smart Lock is not working properly.   Because I can see people not wanting to put up with putting in a password at home all the time and just ditching Android Pay so they can go back to using a lockscreen app or something that gives them that option.

[SallyC · Accepted solution]

I found out the solution!!!  It's so unintuitive but apparently when you are in a trusted place, you want to swipe anywhere on the lock screen except the lock!  By habit/training I swipe the lock and I guess that serves to lock it in a trusted place.That's why it asks for my fingerprint.  If I swipe anywhere else on the screen, it opens!  I found this on another forum, where it looks like others were having the same issue I was. Now it works fine!

[Snn5]

A lockscreen app, 3rd party cannot be used with AP.

[Tidbits]

That lock is actually to lock the screen. I am guessing you are using a Samsung phone. A lot of people make that mistake.

[Tidbits]

Too bad I wasn't on sooner to tell you that. 😞 would have saved you more headache and time.

[Snn5]

Also, on some phones there is a pulsing lock symbol that you simply tap and not swipe.