Given the alarming statistics, with 19% of mobile phone users in South Africa experiencing device loss annually, as reported by the GSMA Consumer Survey 2023, the need for effective security solutions has become paramount.
Google's newly introduced features, available worldwide for devices running Android 10 and above, utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and biometric authentication to provide protection before, during, and after a theft attempt.
A notable innovation is the Theft Detection Lock, an AI-powered tool that employs machine learning to identify suspicious handling behaviors.
When a potential theft is identified, this feature locks the screen, preventing unauthorized access.
In addition, the Offline Device Lock secures the phone if it goes offline to avoid tracking or remote wiping, while Remote Lock allows users to secure their device by simply visiting Android.com/lock with a verified phone number.
These features work in conjunction with Android’s Find My Device, enabling users to locate, secure, or remotely erase their devices to safeguard sensitive information.
Android 15 also introduces further protective measures, such as requiring biometric authentication for modifications to critical settings, improved factory reset protection, and locking devices after several unsuccessful login attempts.
In the upcoming months, Google plans to introduce Identity Check, an optional feature that requires biometric verification for critical actions such as deactivating theft protection.
These updates are now accessible via a Google Play Services update.