Google on Tuesday announced an expanded set of Android anti-theft features aimed at making its mobile devices less likely to be targeted by criminals. Building on existing tools such as Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock introduced in 2024, the newly launched update includes stronger authentication protection and enhanced recovery tools, the company said.
iPhones are often targeted by thieves because of their resale value, but Android devices are also targets for theft. This is especially true for high-end Android smartphones such as Google Pixel Pro devices, premium foldables, and other top devices from well-known manufacturers such as Samsung.
This new feature gives users of Android devices running Android 16 and above more control over the Authentication Failure Lock feature, which automatically locks the device after too many failed login attempts. Users will now have access to a dedicated on/off toggle switch in their device settings.
These devices also provide strong protection against thieves attempting to guess the device owner’s PIN, pattern, or password by increasing the lockout time after a failure. Additionally, ID Check, a feature introduced in Android 15 and later last year, now covers all features and apps that use biometrics, including banking apps and Google Password Manager.
Remote Lock, the tool that lets you lock your lost or stolen device from your web browser, now includes an optional security challenge or question. Available starting with Android 10, this feature allows only the actual device owner to initiate a lock for added security.
In Brazil, two anti-theft features are enabled by default, including a theft detection lock that uses on-device AI to detect movement that could indicate a “snatch and get away” theft. The remote lock feature will also be automatically turned on and accessible from the website android.com/lock.
