Google Enhances Security: New Anti-Theft Lockdown for Android 10+ Devices

At the annual Google I/O developer conference, it has been a tradition for Google to announce the second beta version of the new Android release on the first day, unveiling various new features. However, this year, the spotlight was taken by AI, leading to an unprecedented shift where Android-related announcements were moved to the second day of the conference.

Today, Google launched the new Android 15 beta version, introducing a series of new functions, including a novel anti-theft feature. This feature utilizes the accelerometer and gyroscope to detect sudden movements of the phone. The theft detection capability employs machine learning to determine if someone has snatched the phone from your hands and is attempting to flee, whether by running, cycling, or driving away—typical scenarios involving motorcycle gang robberies.

When the accelerometer and gyroscope detect sudden, intense movements such as rapid motion, Android will discreetly auto-lock the device. To unlock it, users will need to enter their password. Even in cases of false detection, it's no hassle; users can simply unlock their device with their password.

The good news is that this feature isn't exclusive to Android 15. Google plans to roll out this functionality to Android 10+ systems later this year through an update to Google Play services. This means that most Android devices that aren't particularly old will be able to access this feature.

Regarding security updates, Android 15 also introduces exclusive features, such as an enhanced factory reset protection. If a thief tries to forcibly restore the device to factory settings, they won't be able to set up the device anew without the original password or the Google account password, effectively locking the device post-reset.

Under normal circumstances, the official version of Android 15 is expected to be released around August. The new features will require OEM adaptation before being pushed out in updates. The anti-theft feature for Android 10+ devices, conveniently distributed through Google Play, will be easily accessible to users once it is rolled out.