To make it even better, Google is strengthening the protection mechanisms for Android smartphones. To this end, it has launched new features and improvements that will make life more difficult for thieves. Find out how your Android smartphone will be more secure.
Even more security on Android smartphones
Nobody wants to have their smartphone stolen, but unfortunately, it's something that can happen to anyone. Over the years, Google has implemented several measures on Android to prevent data extraction from stolen smartphones, such as the "Theft Protection" feature, launched in October 2024.
The tech giant is adding several new features now. The authentication lock feature, which since Android 15 activates after a certain number of failed unlock attempts, now includes a new button to activate or deactivate the function. This gives users precise control over that mechanism.
Biometric user authentication, available in Android 15 since the beginning of last year, will be extended to several other applications. Until now, this functionality required authentication to perform certain actions if they were performed outside of known locations. Later this year, this functionality will also be available for applications such as banking applications and password managers.
Google wants to protect against theft
Finally, Google is strengthening protection against repeated unlocking attempts. The system will extend the lock time after several consecutive failures, making attempts to crack the password, password or unlock pattern by brute force more difficult.
To prevent users from being accidentally blocked — for example, after repeated attempts by a child — Android has also changed. You will no longer count identical attempts against the allowed number of failed attempts.
All of these new features are now available or will be available on smartphones running Android 16. Google is also adding a new feature to the remote locking system via android.com/lock, which is very useful for preventing a thief from accessing your smartphone's data. An optional security question or challenge will be offered to ensure that only the legitimate user can initiate the block.
