Google Develops New Feature to Protect Android Devices from Theft

Google Develops New Feature to Protect Android Devices from Theft

Google is developing a new feature called “Identity Verification,” which will enhance the protection of Android devices from theft.

According to reports, this feature will require users to enter their biometric data via fingerprint or face recognition to open apps when the device is outside a trusted location.

This step aims to protect users' data in case their phones are stolen and the thief knows the lock screen PIN.

Many apps rely on Android's biometric authentication system as an extra layer of security known as Passkeys, but if there's an option to enter a backup PIN, that could be a loophole. 

Google is disabling this option when enabling the “Identity Verification” feature to force users to use only biometric data without the possibility of using PIN codes or passwords in some cases.

The new feature will be activated when the device is outside of “trusted locations,” such as home or work, and is similar to the anti-theft feature used by Apple, where iPhones require biometric authentication when away from familiar places.

 Google Play Services will track the phone's location to alert the system when it is outside familiar locations.

This feature is expected to be rolled out in future updates, and may require Android 15 to implement the necessary system changes.

Earlier this year, Google announced the theft detection feature in Android, which works by identifying unusual movements that may indicate the phone has been stolen, such as someone quickly pulling the phone out of the user's hand.

In order to prevent a thief from accessing the information on the phone, the screen is automatically locked and can only be unlocked with the owner's biometric authentication.