My phone's (Samsung S5 mini) is running the lineageOS version for Nougat and i could set the 'not that' new Google smart Lock feature. Well it helps you to unlock your phone is certain conditions are meet. Let's check them:
On-body Detection
This feature will keep your phone unlocked while detects movement. If you're walking or making any movement, the phone won't lock thanks to its motion sensor.
How secure it can be?
Well, unless you behave as a statue, your phone will be unlocked. If you are walking with your phone and then a thief runs to you stealing the phone from your hands, the phone won't lock because is still detecting movement.
Trusted places
This feature uses the GPS in order to register a secure location you specify. Then, as long as you're in that place, the phone will be unlocked.
how secure it can be?
Well, this feature is better than the 'on-body detection' one. If your phone is stolen, it will be locked as soon the phone detects is not at the trusted place. No worries there.
The bad news: if someone wants to peek your phone without permission and the phone is at the trusted place, the phone won't lock.
Trusted devices
The phone uses your Bluetooth to check if there's another Bluetooth device nearby. If this other device is registered on your phone as a trusted device, the phone won't lock.
how secure it can be?
Well, this feature has the same disadvantage than the 'Trusted place' feature. If your phone no longer detects the trusted Bluetooth device, then it locks.
But, again, if someone wants to peek your phone and it's close to the trusted Bluetooth device, then it won't lock.
Trusted face
This feature has an advantage over the previous ones: it only needs to check your face using the camera. This is pretty cool.
How secure it can be?
Well I have made some tests. If you have a good HQ photo of your face, the phone might unlock. Also, the phone won't detects if your eyes are open or not. So, if you're sleeping and someone puts the phone in front of your face, then it will unlock. Sorry!
Voice match
This one is pretty cool because it uses the Google voice recognition. That way, you only have to say 'Ok Google' and the phone i will unlock.
Hope secure it can be?
Well, unless you have an identical twin or someone with a very, very (very) similar voice as yours, the phone won't unlock.
This is pretty secure I think. I made a test recording my voice with another device and then play it, but the phone won't detect it as my real voice.
Conclusion
The smart Lock feature is pretty good for people who doesn't want to type a password or draw a pattern. But it has some flaws that you have to keep in mind.
I don't mind to draw my pattern every time i want to use my phone.
Do you want to add more security? Try to encrypt your phone.
May the force be with you
Download Steemia app from Google Play.