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Android Introduces Automatic Reboot Feature for Enhanced Security

The new functionality, rolling out via Google Play services v25.14, reboots devices after three days of inactivity, ensuring data remains encrypted until a PIN unlock.

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The Google Android logo and mascot, known as Bugdroid by the community, is being displayed as a statue resembling a strawberry ice-cream cone on Android Avenue at the Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, on March 25, 2024. (Image: Joan Cros/NurPhoto/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Android devices will now automatically reboot after three days of inactivity, requiring users to enter a PIN to unlock the device.
  • The feature puts devices into a 'Before First Unlock' (BFU) state, keeping data encrypted and inaccessible until manually unlocked.
  • The update is part of Google Play services v25.14 and is being rolled out gradually to phones and tablets, excluding wearables, TVs, and Android Auto devices.
  • The auto-reboot mechanism aims to enhance security by impeding forensic data extraction and unauthorized access.
  • This update aligns Android with similar security measures introduced by Apple and GrapheneOS, reflecting a broader trend toward prioritizing user privacy and data protection.