With each Android 16 Essential Features, Google introduces a range of new features and optimisations to the platform.
Although Android 16 hasn’t brought any significant changes so far, it does incorporate several crucial new security enhancements that you should review as soon as possible.
What is the Advanced Protection feature in Android 16?
In Android 15, Google introduced a range of new security features to its operating system. These included innovative anti-theft tools and on-device spam detection specifically for Pixel phones.
However, these features were hidden deep within the settings menu, making them difficult for users to access.
With Android 16’s Advanced Protection Mode, all these security enhancements—and even more—are now made prominently accessible and easily usable by everyone.
When this mode is activated, your Android device switches to a high-security setting:
USB access is restricted when the device is locked, scam detection capabilities are strengthened, installation of apps from unknown sources is prohibited, outdated networks like 2G are disabled, and browsing becomes more secure with enforced HTTPS usage everywhere.
This configuration shields you from targeted attacks, malicious applications, online threats, and data vulnerabilities, with each layer operating quietly in the background.
Although it might sound somewhat exaggerated—Google mentions that this feature is designed for high-risk individuals such as journalists, politicians, and activists—the average person can still take advantage of these privacy settings.
How to Activate and Utilize Advanced Protection on Android
Activating Advanced Protection on Android 16 is simple and can be done in just a minute:
- Ensure your device is upgraded to Android 16. To verify the software version on your phone, navigate to Settings > About phone > Android version.
- Open the Settings app and navigate to Security & Privacy.
- Swipe down and select Advanced Protection.
- Flip the switch to activate the mode.
- When prompted, restart your device to enable all protections.
Once activated, your Android device enters a comprehensive security and privacy mode.
This not only turns on anti-theft capabilities and Google’s built-in protection against spam and fraud but also prevents the sideloading of apps on your device.
Additionally, it prevents a factory reset unless the device is first unlocked or 72 hours have elapsed, thus reducing the value of stolen phones for thieves.
Moreover, USB connections to computers or external drives are blocked if the phone remains locked.
The most impressive aspect of Advanced Protection Mode is its ability to operate discreetly in the background without slowing down your phone or overwhelming you with alerts.
It seamlessly activates some of Android’s top security features, along with a few new enhancements, and keeps them consistently enabled.
Additional Essential Security Features to Activate with Android 16
If you’re hesitant to activate Advanced Protection Mode but still want to leverage some of its features, Android 16 offers a few new security tools for your device that you should be aware of.
Enhanced Security for Mobile Network Settings
The mobile network settings have undergone a revamp.
Android 16 now features alerts for counterfeit cell towers, commonly known as Stingrays or IMSI catchers, which can intercept calls and texts.
Additionally, you have the option to manually disable the 2G network on your phone to minimize risk from outdated and insecure network protocols.
While this setting is located within the Safety Centre and might be somewhat hidden, it’s a useful change to make.
Fraud Identification
Fraud and scams are becoming more sophisticated, but detection capabilities in the Messages and Phone apps have significantly improved with Android 16.
New on-device AI models now identify suspicious texts and robocalls before they show up on your screen.
The system can also automatically filter these messages and calls, minimising the risk of inadvertently engaging with malicious content.
Play Protect by Google
Android’s integrated Play Protect has been significantly improved.
It now supports real-time app scanning during installation, including for sideloaded apps, and can identify apps that improperly use sensitive permissions.
Notably, this process occurs entirely on your device, ensuring that your data isn’t transmitted to the cloud while checking for malware.
Conclusion
Although Android 16 may not have introduced the major features we anticipated, it offers a substantial upgrade in privacy and security behind the scenes.
In addition to this, Google is developing an extensive new user interface overhaul for Android 16 with Material 3 Expressive.
This UI refresh is expected to be released with the next update of Android 16, coinciding with the launch of the Pixel 10 series in late August.
