The New Android Update: How Will Google Protect Your Phone from Theft?
Google announced yesterday, Tuesday, the expansion of security features against the theft of Android devices, in a move aimed at reducing the targeting of devices by thieves and enhancing user security in case of phone loss or theft.
The new updates build on tools previously launched in 2024, such as Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock, adding stronger layers of security verification and improved features for recovering stolen devices.
Although iPhones are often a target for thieves due to their high value, leading Android devices, such as Pixel Pro phones and luxury foldable devices, along with advanced phones from companies like Samsung, are not immune to theft.
* Greater Control Over Phone Lock
With the new updates, users of Android devices running Android 16 or later will have broader control over the Failed Authentication Lock feature, which automatically locks the phone after a large number of failed login attempts.
Users can now enable or disable this feature via a dedicated button in the settings, enhancing phone protection against attempts to guess the PIN, pattern, or password by increasing the lock duration after each failed attempt.
* Expanded Identity Check Feature
Google has also expanded the Identity Check feature launched with Android 15 to include all applications that rely on biometrics, such as banking apps and Google's password manager, enhancing the protection of users' sensitive data.
* Higher Security Remote Lock
To improve features, the Remote Lock feature now allows users to lock a lost or stolen phone via the browser, with the addition of an optional security question or test to ensure that the lock is only activated by the true device owner.
This feature is available on devices running Android 10 or later.
* Default Activation in Brazil
In an exceptional move, two features will be automatically activated in Brazil, including Theft Detection Lock, which uses artificial intelligence to detect "snatch and run" theft attempts, and Remote Lock, accessible via android.com/lock, to enhance user security in areas with high phone theft rates.
With these updates, Google offers users comprehensive and advanced protection, making smartphone theft a challenging experience for thieves and providing users with greater peace of mind and security for their personal data.
