New Android security tool could keep baddies’ eyes off your data

Google is rolling out a new Android security feature that will automatically reboot the phone after three days of inactivity, making it harder for would be attackers and thieves to gain access.

As part of a new Google Play services update, the best Android phones will automatically restart if it hasn’t been unlocked for three consecutive days. The update will apply to phones, tablets and Wear OS devices.

The idea behind this is to make the phone more difficult to unlock. After a reboot, users need to use the passcodes as biometrics aren’t available for the first unlock.

This will also revert the phone to a state called Before First Unlock where data remains encrypted. This is particularly useful for keeping out law enforcement agencies, immigration officials who are currently demanding access to people’s phones and computers in the United States, and other bad actors.

The update was first spotted by 9to5Google within version 25.14 of Google Play services. It’s not clear which version of Android this will apply to. The release notes state: “[Phone] With this feature, your device automatically restarts if locked for 3 consecutive days.”

The feature is similar to Apple’s Inactivity Reboot which arrived with iOS 18.1 in late 2024.

That feature arrived unannounced without any fanfare from Apple, giving users concerns it might actually have been a bug. In the case of iOS 18.1 the reboots happen every 96 hours.

Opinion

Have you seen what’s happening in the US at the moment?

People who have been critical of the US government administration, lawfully trying to enter the country, have been denied after border patrol officials sifted through their phones.

You absolutely cannot be too careful right now. Check your phones before entering the US, get rid of any content that could land you in schtum.

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