Locked device? No problem, as Android could automate tasks anyway

An Android Authority teardown of the Companion Device Manager app reveals code strings indicating that trusted Android apps will soon be able to see and control screen contents on a locked device, enabling task automation and proactive assistance. The feature requires PIN confirmation to pair apps and could also come to Googlebooks via Gemini Intelligence.

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more. https://www.androidauthority.com/external-links/ Locked device? No problem, as Android could automate tasks anyway Jul 27, 2026 — 3:20 AM ET - An Android Authority teardown has uncovered evidence that trusted Android apps could soon see and control screen contents when your device is locked. - Code snippets suggest that this functionality could help you complete tasks on a locked device. - It’s theoretically possible that this feature could come to Googlebooks as well. Google has been pushing agentic AI in 2026, as it unveiled Gemini Intelligence https://www.androidauthority.com/gemini-intelligence-3665302/ earlier this year to proactively accomplish tasks across your apps. Now, it looks like Google is laying the groundwork for agentic AI and screen automation functionality even when your device screen is locked. You’re reading an Authority Insights https://andauth.co/AuthorityInsights story. Authority Insights brings you all the latest exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage from the Android Authority team that you won’t find anywhere else. Nerd’s Chalk https://nerdschalk.com/android-trusted-pairing-consent-wording-pin-setup-agent-features/ discovered code strings in the Companion Device Manager app showing that trusted Android apps could soon see and control screen contents while your device is locked. We were able to corroborate the report and found these and other strings. Check them out below. <string name="trust pairing initiator summary" The app will be able to see and interact with your devices to use features like helping you complete tasks even when the device is locked. You can turn features on or off in your Android settings.</string <string name="trust pairing initiator title" Confirm PIN to pair the app &lt;strong&gt;%1$s&lt;/strong&gt; with &lt;strong&gt;%2$s&lt;/strong&gt;?</string <string name="trust pairing responder title" Confirm PIN to pair with your &lt;strong&gt;%1$s&lt;/strong&gt;?</string <string name="trust type proactive assistance title" Proactive assistance</string <string name="trust type proactive assistance summary" Uses an app’s screen content so you can see suggestions.</string <string name="trust type screen automation title" Screen automation</string <string name="trust type screen automation summary" See and interact with the screen content of apps you’ve allowed to help you complete tasks even if the screen is locked.</string The code snippets show that you’ll need to enter your PIN to pair these trusted apps with your device. This should give you some peace of mind if you’re worried about any app accessing your locked device. It looks like you can take advantage of two features once you’ve paired an app to your device. The first and last snippets indeed show that apps can help you complete tasks when your device is locked. Meanwhile, the fourth and fifth strings hint at a Magic Cue https://www.androidauthority.com/two-months-later-pixel-10-magic-cue-delivered-3610389/ -like feature that shows suggestions based on screen content. There’s no indication of supported platforms outside of Android devices. However, it’s also theoretically possible that this capability could be available on Googlebooks https://www.androidauthority.com/googlebooks-launch-features-brands-availability-3664950/ . After all, Google’s new platform will also support this feature via Gemini Intelligence. Nevertheless, it’s clear that Google wants to deliver robust agentic smarts on devices. Deeper task automation is a great idea, but it could be frustrating if the task doesn’t get done due to a locked phone or laptop. ⚠️ An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy https://www.androidauthority.com/android-authority-comment-policy/ before posting.