When your phone is stolen, all your personal data becomes vulnerable, not when you have automatic lock on your android device.
To tackle this issue, Google is introducing new theft protection features for Android aimed at safeguarding your personal information if someone takes possession of your device.
What Are the Theft Protection Features on Android Devices, and How Do They Function?
Up until now, Google has lacked strong built-in protection for lost or stolen devices.
Although the Find My Device feature lets you locate, lock, and erase your Android device from afar, there haven’t been native features specifically aimed at theft prevention in Android.
To address this shortcoming, Google is launching three new on-device safety features designed to secure your data if your device ends up with someone else.
The initial new feature is termed Theft Detection Lock.
This function activates when your device senses abrupt, suspicious movement while it’s being used and remains unlocked —
like if someone snatches your phone and flees—it will promptly lock the screen.
According to Google, this feature engages upon detecting “common motion associated with theft,”
Utilizing data from the device’s sensors, Wi-Fi networks, and connected devices to ascertain whether your phone has been stolen.
Next, let’s discuss Offline Device Lock. This feature automatically secures your phone even without an internet connection.
It’s particularly useful if someone steals your device and disables it to prevent location tracking or enters the wrong password multiple times.
Note that for this functionality to work effectively, your phone must be in active use while it’s unlocked.
Completing the trio is the Remote Lock feature.
When activated, you can lock your device’s screen from a distance by going to android.com/lock and inputting your phone number.
To utilize Remote Lock, users are required to pass a security challenge and provide the same phone number that was linked with the device.
How to Enable Theft Protection on Android
Google is slowly introducing these new features across all devices with Android 10 or later.
We’ve observed the feature on our Pixel 8a, while it’s not yet available on our Pixel 9 Pro XL or Xiaomi 14, indicating a staggered rollout.
Nonetheless, every device should ultimately receive the update.
Some functionalities might become accessible at different intervals—I initially had access only to Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock, but Remote Lock appeared a few days afterwards.
Activating the theft protection features is easy. Just launch the Settings app and look for “theft protection.” You can also go through Google services and choose Theft Protection from there.
You’ll find a list of safety options; I advise turning them all on to ensure maximum security. Simply toggle each feature, and you’re all set!
Although these features aren’t flawless, they can greatly minimize the impact if your device gets stolen. Google aims for these safety measures to eventually discourage thieves and eliminate smartphone theft altogether.
In the meantime, these tools offer protection for your data and some reassurance in case your device falls into the wrong hands.
Conclusion
Google is introducing new theft protection feature, automatic Lock on your Android to safeguard personal information in case of theft.
The first is Theft Detection Lock, which locks the screen when the device senses suspicious movement. The second is Offline Device Lock, which secures the phone even without an internet connection.
The third is Remote Lock, which allows users to lock their device’s screen from a distance. These features aim to discourage thieves and eliminate smartphone theft.
