Last year Google launched Android theft protection so that users can protect their data before, during, and after device theft. The company is now expanding and enhancing the theft protection features to more users around the world.

Identity Check feature

This feature is being rolled out to Pixel devices with Android 15 and will be available on One UI 7 eligible Galaxy devices in the coming weeks. It will roll out to supported Android devices from other manufacturers later this year.

When you turn on this feature, your device will require explicit biometric authentication to access certain sensitive resources when you are outside of trusted locations. As part of enabling this feature, you can designate one or more trusted locations. When you are outside of these trusted locations, biometric authentication will be required to access critical account and device settings, like changing your device PIN or biometrics, disabling theft protection, or accessing Passkeys.

Sensitive actions that require biometric authentication

Biometric authentication is required to:

• Access saved passwords and passkeys with Google Password Manager.
• Autofill passwords in apps from Google Password Manager, except in Chrome.
• Change screen lock, like PIN, pattern, and password.
• Change biometrics, like Fingerprint or Face Unlock.
• Run a factory reset.
• Turn off Find My Device.
• Turn off any theft protection features.
• View trusted places.
• Turn off Identity Check.
• Set up a new device with your current device.
• Add or remove a Google Account.
• Access Developer options.

In case a thief or bad actor manages to learn your device PIN, this Identity Check feature will protect your device against unauthorized access.

To turn on Identity Check

• Go to Settings.
• Tap Google>All services >Theft protection.
• Tap Identity Check.
• To activate:

1. Sign in to a Google Account.
2. Add a screen lock if you haven’t.
3. Add biometrics, like Fingerprint or Face Unlock.
4. Add your trusted places, like Home or Work.
5. Optional:T o more easily recover your Google Account, verify your phone number.
6. After completion, tap Done.

Theft Detection Lock

Theft Detection Lock is now fully rolled out to Android 10+ phones around the world. Theft Detection Lock uses an on-device AI-powered algorithm to help detect when your phone may be forcibly taken from you. If the machine learning algorithm detects a potential theft attempt on your unlocked device, it locks your screen to keep thieves out.

To turn on the Theft Detection lock:

• Go to Settings
• TapGoogle >All services >Theft protection.
• Turn on the Theft Detection Lock.
  1. If the setting for “Theft Detection Lock” is grayed out, your device doesn’t support this feature.

Google also mentioned that they are collaborating with GSMA and industry experts to combat mobile device theft by sharing information, tools and prevention techniques. Soon a GSMA white paper will also be released.

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