Android Phones Begin Rolling Out Essential Anti-Theft Features

At Google I/O earlier this year, three new safety features were announced to enhance the security of Android devices against theft. These features include device locking and additional safeguards to prevent unauthorised setup by thieves.

While some of these changes were expected to coincide with the public release of Android 15, they have reportedly started to roll out to users in the U.S. following successful testing in Brazil, as noted by Mishaal Rahman and 9to5Google.

Key Features:

1. Theft Detection Lock: This feature quickly locks your phone's screen when it detects common motions associated with theft, making it harder for thieves to access your data. It utilises onboard sensors and connectivity channels to identify such movements.

2. Offline Device Lock: If a thief steals your phone and attempts to keep it offline to evade tracking, the screen will automatically lock. This lock will also activate if someone makes multiple unsuccessful attempts to unlock the device.

3. Remote Lock: In cases where the device is stolen and theft protection isn’t enabled, users can still lock their phones remotely through the Android Find My Device page. After passing a security check, users can lock their device using the same number that was previously active on it. Once the remote lock is activated, the device can only be unlocked with the original screen lock method, such as biometrics or a password. It's important to note that this feature requires the phone to be online; if the device is offline, the remote lock will activate as soon as it connects to the internet.

These features—Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, and Remote Lock—will be available on all Android devices running Android 15 or later. Currently, the rollout is occurring in phases, with U.S. users being the first to receive the updates. Digital Trends has tested several devices, including the Google Pixel 9 and OnePlus Open, but has yet to receive the feature update.