Google introduced thousands of new APIs and hundreds of new features into Android with the release of Android 5.0 Lollipop. One of the coolest features is one that Motorola started last year with the Moto X called Smart Lock. This feature allows you to set your pin or other lockscreen security code so that others can’t just willy nilly unlock and access your device, but gives you the convenience of the swipe lockscreen at the same time by automatically bypassing the security code when a trusted device is connected. Say for instance you’ve got a smartwatch or another Bluetooth device that’s always connected to your phone whenever you’re using it. Setting this device as a smart lock partner will automatically bypass the security code you have since you’re the only one that theoretically should have both of these devices with you at the same time.
But what about when you want to hand your phone to someone or need it to manually be locked for whatever other reason? Right on the lockscreen when you turn it on you’ll see three icons at the bottom: phone, lock and camera. By default when smart lock is enabled this padlock icon shows itself being unlocked, but a simple tap on the icon will lock your device and require the next wakeup to be unlocked via the set security code. It’s one of those little hidden features that helps in every day use-case scenarios and really makes Android 5.0 Lollipop shine. Check out the GIF below to see it in action and give it a shot for yourself if you’ve got the feature enabled on your phone running Android 5.0 Lollipop.