New Google AI feature protects stolen cell phone; find out how it works

O Google announced, last Wednesday (15), a series of new features for Android to protect users against cell phone theft . Among the new features is the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) to identify when the device is stolen and automatically generate a screen lock.

In addition to this feature, the company also announced the creation of a “private space” on the cell phone to group applications with sensitive data, such as banking or health apps, under an additional layer of security.

Some of the new anti-theft features will be made available later this year for users with Android 10+ through the Google Play Services update. Other features will be included in the Android 15 update.

See, in more detail, the main news announced:

1. Factory Reset Update

One of the new features announced is the factory reset update, which aims to prevent a thief from resetting the device after stealing it. With this update, if a thief forces the phone to reset, they will not be able to set it up again without knowing the device's credentials or the owner's Google account.

This makes the stolen device unfit for sale and can reduce incentives to steal the cell phone.

2. Private space to hide sensitive apps

Aiming to prevent the extraction and transfer of valuable and confidential data, such as financial and health data, private space is a new feature to create a separate area on the cell phone that can be hidden and locked with a separate PIN. , providing additional security for applications with sensitive data.

3. More steps to toggle sensitive settings

Settings such as “Find My Device” or screen timeout will only be changed after PIN, password or biometric authentication. The update aims to add an extra layer of security to prevent criminals from keeping stolen cell phones unlocked or out of tracking.

4. Improved authentication if the PIN is known to a thief

If the thief knows the PIN that allows access to security features, enhanced authentication, when enabled, will require biometrics and a conditional time delay to access and change critical Google account and device settings — such as changing the PIN or disabling the “Find My Device”.

5. AI-powered automatic screen lock

Google's AI will be able to detect when the cell phone is snatched from the hand, also monitoring movements such as running and cycling — common during a theft. If movement like this is detected, your phone screen will quickly lock, preventing thieves from easily accessing your data.

6. Additional protection when a thief has your device

If a thief tries to unplug your phone for long periods of time, Offline Device Lock will automatically lock the screen to help protect data even when your device is off the network.

Android may recognize other signs that your device may be in the wrong hands, such as excessive failed authentication attempts.

7. Remote lock after phone is stolen

The remote lock feature allows you to lock your cell phone screen with just your phone number and quick authentication using any other device. According to Google, this could provide time to recover account details and access features like Find My Device, including the event of a full factory reset command to completely wipe the device.

When will the new features be available?

According to Google, factory reset protection and private space updates will roll out as part of Android 15. Improved authentication protections will roll out to select devices later this year.

Theft detection lock and offline device lock will be available for Android 10+ devices through a Google Play Services update later this year.