Google Tuesday announcement an expanded set of Android theft protection features, designed to make its mobile devices less of a target for criminals. Lean on existing tools like Theft detection lock, offline device lock and others introduced in 2024, recently launched updates include stronger authentication guarantees and improved recovery tools, the company said.
While iPhones are often prime targets for thieves due to their resale value, Android devices are also prone to theft. This is especially true for high-end Android smartphones like Google Pixel Pro devices, high-end foldables, and other high-end devices from well-known manufacturers like Samsung.
With the new features, users of Android devices running Android 16 or later will have more control over the Failed Authentication Lock feature that automatically locks the device after an excessive number of failed login attempts. Now, users will have access to a dedicated on/off toggle switch in the device settings.
The devices will also provide stronger protection against a thief attempting to guess the device owner’s PIN, pattern or password by increasing the lock time after failed attempts. Additionally, Identity Check, a feature rolled out for Android 15 and later last year, now covers all features and apps that use biometrics, like banking apps or Google Password Manager.
Remote Lock, a tool that lets you lock a lost or stolen device from a web browser, will now include an optional security challenge or question. With this feature, available on Android 10+, only the real owner of the device can initiate the lock for added security.
In Brazil, two theft protection features will now be enabled by default, including Theft Detection Lock, which uses on-device AI to detect movements that could indicate a “snatch and run” theft. The remote lock feature will also be automatically enabled and accessible from the android.com/lock website.
