Android’s new security features make your phone hard to steal

Google is rolling out new security features for Android smartphones, preventing thieves from getting access to your device. The new security features are Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, and Remote Lock. These features were first announced earlier this year, and since then have been in the beta stage. Now, they are available to users in phases.

Let’s see how the new security features may make it hard for thieves to steal and access your device.

What are the new Android security features?

While Google has rolled out three new security features, the Theft Detection Lock feature is the most useful one. The feature uses machine learning to lock your Android phone if it detects suspicious motion.

This means if someone tries to snatch your smartphone, the feature will ensure your phone gets locked immediately, preventing thieves from getting access to your phone. This feature reminds us of the useful Apple Watch feature, which ensures that the smartwatch is locked as soon as it’s removed from the wrist.

Going back to Android, the next useful security feature is called Offline Device Lock. The feature automatically locks your Android’s screen if it is disconnected from the internet for a long time. This ensures that your data is safe since the screen will remain off, making the phone unusable at that moment.

Lastly, Google is making it easier to remotely lock your device from any location around the world. The Remote Lock feature lets you remotely lock your Android phone using your phone number.

This is helpful if a person isn’t able to sign into Find My Device using the account password. Also, it gives users an additional way of remotely locking their devices. To use this feature, you need to head to android.com/lock.

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With these security features, Google has raised the security bar on Android phones, making it hard for thieves to steal and access your device. But don’t get excited just yet, as these features are likely being rolled out in phases, which means you may not see them on your device immediately.

As for what you can do to get these features, all you need to do is update Google Play services on your Android and check if the features are available.

Regarding compatibility, the Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock features are supported on smartphones running on Android 10 and above. The Remote Lock feature is supported on devices running on Android 5 and above, this means most phones will get these features, including the latest Google Pixel phones.