
In today’s world, our smartphones are practically extensions of ourselves. We use them for everything from banking and shopping to staying connected with loved ones and managing our health. But this convenience comes with a risk: a lost or stolen device can expose a treasure trove of sensitive personal data.
Thankfully, Google is stepping up its game to protect Android users from the devastating consequences of device theft. In a recent blog post, they announced exciting new features and enhancements to their Android theft protection suite, designed to “protect you and your data at every stage – before, during, and after device theft.”
One of the most impressive additions is Identity Check, a feature that adds an extra layer of security for critical account and device settings. As Google explains, “When you turn on Identity Check, your device will require explicit biometric authentication to access certain sensitive resources when you’re outside of trusted locations.” This means that even if a thief manages to bypass your device’s lock screen, they’ll still need your fingerprint or facial recognition to access sensitive information like your Google Account, device PIN, or Passkeys.
Identity Check is rolling out now to Pixel devices running Android 15 and will soon be available on Samsung Galaxy devices eligible for One UI 7. Support for other Android devices is expected later this year.
But that’s not all. Google is also expanding the availability of its AI-powered Theft Detection Lock. This innovative feature uses on-device machine learning to detect potential theft attempts. “If the machine learning algorithm detects a potential theft attempt on your unlocked device, it locks your screen to keep thieves out,” says Google. This feature is now available on Android 10+ phones globally.
Google’s commitment to combating device theft extends beyond software features. They are actively collaborating with the GSMA and industry experts to share information and develop prevention techniques.