Google has dramatically improved its theft protection features in the Android operating system. The changes should hopefully make it more difficult for Android phones and tablets to be stolen or wiped without your knowledge.
The updates expand on earlier features and add new ones, but also make them available to more Android versions and device brands. A key part of Android’s theft protection is the Theft Detection Lock, which uses AI and on-device machine learning to spot possible theft attempts.
By checking various device signals, the system can tell if a phone might have been snatched. If it detects a theft, the screen locks right away to block unauthorized access. Theft Detection Lock is now fully available worldwide for devices running Android 10 or higher, which should be most phones and tablets in active use at this point.
Another related feature is Offline Device Lock, which kicks in if an unlocked device stays offline too long. Being offline could mean someone is trying to avoid remote wiping through Android’s Find My Device. This makes sure you are protected even when the device is offline.
Remote Lock is an important part ofAndroid’s Find My Device. This lets users lock their devices from afar much more easily. This works even if they don’t remember their Google account details; they can still secure their phone using a verified phone number fromthe Android website. This feature works alongside Find My Device to lock, locate, or wipe a stolen phone remotely.
You should back up your data regularly to lessen the impact of a remote wipe, as you never know when you’ll have to do it. Soon, Remote Lock will also include a security question for extra verification, making it harder for thieves to bypass.
Factory Reset Protection is another major feature that makes it difficult for thieves to reset and resell a stolen device. This protection is even stronger in newer Android versions, limiting what a device can do if reset without the owner’s permission. This lowers the resale value of stolen phones, which should discourage theft.
Identity Check, available on Pixel and Samsung One UI 7 devices, adds another security layer even if a device’s PIN or password is hacked. It requires biometric verification to access sensitive features when outside trusted locations. This protects important settings like changing the device PIN, turning off theft protection, or accessing passkeys.
This is currently on Android 15 for Pixel and One UI 7 for Samsung Galaxy devices, but Identity Check should come to more brands with Android 16. These upgrades to Android’s theft protection are much better than single features. They make a really strong defense against theft in ways that most thieves thrive on.
Keep in mind that some of these changes are coming over time, and it may take some time to roll out these updates. For now, the best way to stay safe is to verify to keep your phone on your person at all times. Make sure also to have all of Google’s password reset options available. I recently had to reset my password, and none of them worked due to Google’s own issues. It’s pretty secure if even the real person can’t do it.
