Google is significantly strengthening Android theft protection by rolling out new security features aimed at preventing financial fraud and safeguarding personal data if a smartphone is lost or stolen.
First introduced in 2024, Android’s theft protection program is available on all devices running Android 10 or later, and the latest update further expands its scope with smarter locks, stronger authentication controls, and improved recovery tools.
One of the key enhancements is arriving with Android 16, which brings improved safeguards following repeated failed authentication attempts.
The Failed Authentication Lock, initially introduced with Android 15, is now receiving dedicated toggles in the settings menu, allowing users more granular control. When enabled, the feature automatically locks the device screen after multiple unsuccessful PIN, password, or biometric attempts, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Google is also expanding Identity Check, a feature designed to verify user identity before granting access to sensitive actions. With the latest update, Identity Check will now cover all apps and features that use the Android Biometric Prompt, including banking applications and Google’s built-in password manager. This move is expected to add an extra layer of protection against financial fraud and data theft.
In addition, Android is increasing the lockout duration after repeated incorrect PIN or password entries, making brute-force attempts significantly harder. Enhanced device recovery tools are also being extended to all Android phones running Android 10 and newer, improving the chances of securing a stolen device quickly.
Google’s Remote Lock feature, accessible via android.com/lock, allows users to lock a stolen phone from any web browser. To prevent misuse, Google is now introducing an optional security question, ensuring only the rightful owner can remotely lock the device.
As part of a regional security push, Google is proactively enabling Remote Lock and Theft Detection Lock by default in Brazil. All new Android phones sold and activated in the country will have these protections turned on out of the box.
With these updates, Google continues to reinforce Android’s security ecosystem, offering users stronger, smarter protection against theft and fraud.