Google Rolls Out Comprehensive Android Anti-Theft Features

Google is updating anti-theft features for Android devices to prevent phone loss and theft, with an initial rollout in Brazil due to frequent smartphone theft incidents. The company has upgraded anti-theft features for Android, building on new features introduced in 2024 such as Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock, which will implement more stringent security measures. For Android 16 users and above, the Failed Authentication Lock feature will offer more control. This is an automatic device locking system that activates after multiple incorrect password attempts (users can enable or disable this feature in settings). The system also extends the device lock duration when multiple password attempts are made to prevent thieves from guessing the code. Simultaneously, the Identity Check feature for Android 15 and above will be expanded to cover all features and apps using biometric authentication, including banking apps and Google Password Manager. This increases the security of users' critical information, ensuring that even if a thief knows the password, they cannot unlock the device. The Remote Lock feature allows users to lock a lost or stolen phone through a web browser (android.com/lock), with additional security steps like identity verification to ensure only the true device owner can lock the device. This feature supports Android 10 and above. In Brazil, two theft prevention features will be enabled by default: Theft Detection Lock, which uses on-device AI to detect "snatch and run" movement behaviors, and the Remote Lock feature.