Summary
- Google has updated Android’s Theft Protection with several new features.
- The changes are small but meaningful, and should make securing lost or stolen phones easier.
- Google has also started enabling some of these features by default on new devices — initially in Brazil, possibly in other markets in the future.
Android offers a whole suite of built-in theft protection features designed to help keep your data safe and recover your phone if it gets stolen. Today, Google announced a batch of small but significant updates to these features.
What’s new in Theft Protection
The Theft Protection tools might not make the list of the most useful features on your Android, but they’re definitely some of the most important. Here’s what’s new.
Increasing lockout times added to Failed Authentication Lock
Android will now lock your device for an increasing duration if the wrong PIN, password, or pattern is entered too many times. The goal of the feature is to discourage people from trying to brute-force your password. Google also added a feature to ensure this doesn’t happen by mistake — entering the same password repeatedly won’t lock you out.
Failed Authentication Lock gets a toggle
The increasing lockout times on Failed Authentication Lock can be irritating in day-to-day use, so Google has added a new toggle to let you deactivate the feature if you want. Personally, I would recommend leaving it on, but at least we have the option now.
Identity Check covers new apps
Identity Check is a feature that requires biometrics (face or fingerprint unlock) when certain actions (like changing security settings) are performed outside of trusted places. Google has expanded this feature to all apps that use biometrics, including banking apps. This adds extra security if certain apps are accessed in unusual places. This is one of the best ways to secure your phone in the event of theft — make sure you’re using it!
Remote Lock gets a new security check
Remote Lock is a tool that lets you — you guessed it — remotely lock your device using a web browser. Google has updated the feature with a new optional security question to help ensure it’s actually you using it.
New default settings
Finally, Google has changed which Theft Protection settings are enabled by default. New devices activated in Brazil will have Theft Detection Lock and Remote Lock enabled out of the box. These new defaults appear to be limited to just Brazil for now, presumably as a test for wider rollout.
What else can Theft Protection do?
In addition to the features mentioned above (Failed Authentication Lock, Identity Check, and Remote Lock), Theft Protection offers the following tools:
- Find Hub: A hub where you can view your device’s location on a map, play a sound, remotely lock it, or even factory reset it. It can find devices even when offline (yes, that’s a bit creepy, but it works well in a theft situation).
- Theft Detection Lock: This feature uses AI to detect if your phone was snatched out of your hand and automatically locks it.
- Factory Reset Protection: A feature that requires your Google credentials to set up a phone if it’s been reset using “unofficial methods,” such as through recovery mode. It ensures that stolen devices can’t be used by anyone.
Taken together, Google’s Theft Protection suite provides a very well-rounded set of tools to help keep your data safe and recover your device if it’s stolen. With these latest updates, Theft Protection is better than ever. Have these tools ever helped you out? Let us know in the comments!
