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Google Introduces Auto-Reboot Security Feature to Android Devices

The new update reboots locked Android phones and tablets after three days of inactivity, enhancing data security by reverting to an encrypted state.

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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

  • Google Play services v25.14 now includes an auto-reboot feature that restarts Android devices locked for three consecutive days.
  • The reboot places devices in the Before First Unlock (BFU) state, encrypting data and disabling biometric access until a PIN is entered.
  • This feature aims to counter unauthorized data extraction and forensic tools by increasing the frequency of secure encryption states.
  • The update applies to Android phones and tablets but excludes devices like Android Auto, TVs, and wearables.
  • The rollout began on April 14, 2025, and will gradually reach users worldwide over the coming weeks.