Android is making stolen phones unusable with enhanced theft protection

What just happened? Modern Android phones already include theft-protection features that lock devices and prevent unauthorized factory resets, making it harder for thieves to resell stolen phones. However, Google plans to strengthen these safeguards by blocking access to all functionality on stolen devices.

Google hosted The Android Show: I/O Edition this week, offering a preview of Android 16 and Wear OS 6. While Gemini AI stole the spotlight, the company also showcased an updated Factory Reset Protection feature aimed at making stolen Android devices virtually unusable. Updates to the OS will lock down any phone when it detects an unauthorized reset or attempts to bypass existing safeguards, rendering it unusable to thieves. Owners can restore recovered devices through authentication checks.

Google did not share technical details about the new feature. However, a screenshot suggests the updated tool will disable a device if it detects an attempt to force a factory reset through suspicious methods. The image shows a message explaining that the device was locked after a factory reset because it failed authentication during setup. It adds that entering the device’s last-used passcode or linked Google Account credentials will restore functionality.

Google confirmed that the updated Factory Reset Protection will roll out later this year, likely alongside Android 16. It doesn’t appear to be included in the current Android 16 Beta 4.1, released earlier this month unless developers have it hidden. However, it could arrive with the final Quarterly Platform Release.

Google also announced that the stable Android 16 update will arrive in June with a new Material 3 Expressive design language. A recent leak suggests the refreshed interface will focus on color, shape, size, motion, and containment to improve usability, particularly for older users.

The new design will extend across all native apps, including a revamped Clock app. The update will bring an updated bottom toolbar, a new font, and redesigned Alarms, Timer, and Stopwatch tabs.

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