Google has announced a new wave of updates to Android’s anti-theft protections, strengthening device security both before and after a phone is stolen. The company says the changes are designed to protect user data more effectively and reduce the overall value of stolen Android devices.
The updates build on Android’s existing theft protection system and introduce what Google calls “multi-layered defenses.” Some features are available broadly on devices running Android 10 and newer, while more advanced protections require newer hardware or Android 16 and above.
Stronger authentication on newer Android devices
Several of the most significant upgrades are tied to newer versions of Android, particularly Android 15 and Android 16, where Google is tightening how devices respond to suspicious activity.
More control over failed authentication locks
Android 15 introduced Failed Authentication Lock, which automatically locks the screen after too many incorrect unlock attempts. Google is now adding a dedicated on/off toggle in settings, allowing users to decide how strictly this feature is enforced.
This gives people more flexibility—especially those who want strong protection without risking accidental lockouts.
Identity Check expands across apps
Earlier in 2025, Google introduced Identity Check, which requires biometric authentication for sensitive actions when the device is outside trusted locations. Later updates expanded this protection to all apps and features that use Android’s Biometric Prompt.
That means third-party banking apps, password managers, and other security-critical tools now automatically benefit from Identity Check, adding a powerful extra barrier against unauthorized access.
Tougher defenses against PIN and password guessing
Google is also making brute-force attacks harder by increasing lockout times after repeated failed unlock attempts. At the same time, Android is getting smarter about mistakes—identical incorrect guesses no longer count against the retry limit, reducing the chance of a legitimate user being locked out by accident (for example, by a child playing with the phone).
Remote Lock gets an extra layer of security
If a device is stolen, Remote Lock remains one of the most important recovery tools. Available on Android 10 and newer, it lets users lock their phone from any web browser.
Google is now adding an optional security challenge to the Remote Lock process. This extra step helps ensure that only the actual device owner can initiate a lock, preventing abuse while keeping the recovery flow secure.
According to Google, this change makes Remote Lock both safer and more reliable in real-world theft scenarios.
Designed to deter theft, not just respond to it
Taken together, these updates aim to do more than just protect data after a phone is stolen. By making Android devices harder to unlock, harder to reset, and easier for owners to disable remotely, Google hopes to reduce the incentive for theft in the first place.
While this round of updates marks the current set of improvements, Google has made it clear that more is coming. The company says users should “keep a lookout for even more Android theft protection updates,” signaling that device security will remain a major focus going forward.
For Android users, the message is clear: keeping your device updated isn’t just about new features—it’s increasingly about protecting your data and your phone itself.
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