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Google Expands Android Theft Protection With Stronger Locks and Broader Biometrics

Availability spans Android 16 for authentication, Android 10 for recovery, plus default protections on new devices in Brazil.

Overview

  • Authentication updates on Android 16+ increase lockout durations after failed PIN, pattern, or password attempts and ignore identical wrong guesses to curb brute-force attacks.
  • Failed Authentication Lock now includes a dedicated on/off toggle in settings to give users direct control over the feature.
  • Identity Check now covers all features and apps that use Android’s Biometric Prompt, including banking apps and Google Password Manager.
  • Remote Lock at android.com/lock adds an optional security challenge to verify device ownership before a lock is initiated, with recovery upgrades available on Android 10+.
  • In Brazil, new Android devices enable Theft Detection Lock and Remote Lock by default, using on-device AI to quickly lock screens during suspected snatch‑and‑run thefts.