Google announced a new set of features designed to protect Android devices against theft in May. At least some of these features are now rolling out on first devices.
The following anti-theft protections are implemented:
- Require device or Google account credentials to set up an Android device after factory reset.
- Private area on the device that may be locked with a separate pin.
- More authentication prompts for changes of sensitive settings.
- Option to require enhanced authentication for certain features.
Good to know: Factory reset protection and private space is included in Android 15. The enhanced protections “will be released to select devices” this year, according to Google.
Related content
Let’s take a closer look at the features.
Factor reset upgrade prevents a reset by a thief
One options that thieves had until now was to factory reset the phone before selling it on the blackmarket.
Google wants to make this more difficult by requiring credentials before the device can be set up again.
Private area with extra protection
The private area feature enables Android users to lock sensitive apps behind another pin. This prevents direct access to the selected apps. Besides finance and health apps, you may also secure other apps or games, for instance social or messaging apps.
Additional authentication prompts for sensitive settings
Last but not least, Google is adding more protections for sensitive settings. Changing these requires the pin, password or biometric authentication.
The main purpose is to keep unauthorized users, e.g., a thief, from making changes that disable security settings such as Find My Device.
There is also a new option to require additional authentication for sensitive settings. Google mentions viewing or editing “critical Google account and device settings”. These require biometric authentication.
Closing Words
Some of the features are rolling out already to Android users in the United States, according to a post by Mishall Rahman on Threads. Most Android users are probably still waiting for Android 15 on their devices.
You can read Google’s announcement here.
What is your take on the new security features? Will you use them when they become available? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.
In addition to the new settings the find my device needs to have a “self-destruct” setting allowing owners to remotly make the device making it inoperable, with no possiblity of ever using it again
My Motorola G82 won’t qualify for the upgrade to Android 15. In fact, it won’t even get version 14. Security patches are still arriving every two months, but that’s about it.