Google rolls out new anti-theft features for Android phones

Google has begun rolling out three new anti-theft features aimed at making Android devices more secure against theft and unauthorized access. The new tools, Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, and Remote Lock, promise to make stolen phones harder to reset and reuse, thus discouraging thieves from targeting Android devices. These features are part of Google’s continued efforts to enhance phone security and protect users’ sensitive data.

Three Key Features

Theft Detection Lock: The Theft Detection Lock is perhaps the most innovative of the three new features. Utilizing AI, this tool detects when a phone is physically snatched from the user’s hand, and automatically locks the screen. Google explained earlier in May 2024 that the feature uses motion sensors, such as the gyroscope and accelerometer, to detect sudden movements like someone grabbing the phone and running or driving away. Once the AI identifies this type of motion, it instantly locks the screen, preventing unauthorized access.

Offline Device Lock: The second feature, Offline Device Lock, comes into play when a thief tries to disable the phone’s internet connection in an attempt to bypass security measures. This feature locks the phone’s screen when it loses its connection to the internet, ensuring that the device cannot be reset or tampered with while offline. This adds another layer of security, making it difficult for thieves to circumvent protections by simply turning off the phone’s Wi-Fi or data connection.
Remote Lock: The final feature, Remote Lock, gives users the ability to lock their phone remotely even if they cannot access their Google account. Instead of requiring the user’s password, this feature allows them to lock their device using only their phone number and a simple security challenge from another device. This ensures that users can quickly secure their stolen phones without having to log in to Google’s Find My Device service.

Limited Rollout

According to Android journalist Mishaal Rahman, the rollout of these features has been limited so far, with some users reporting only seeing one or two of the new tools on their devices. For instance, Rahman mentioned that his Xiaomi 14T Pro now has Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock, while Pixel users in the U.S. have started noticing Remote Lock.

Currently, these features are available for Android devices running Android 10 and above, though the Remote Lock feature is supported on devices as old as Android 5. Google is expected to expand the rollout to more devices in the coming weeks, offering better security to a wider range of Android users.