Android smartphones can now be locked automatically by Google to protect personal information

There are numerous uses for the new theft detection lock coming to all devices running Android 10 or later versions.

There are numerous uses for the new theft detection lock coming to all devices running Android 10 or later versions, particularly for unlocked Android phones.

Google has significantly increased the theft resistance of your Android smartphone, especially for unlocked Android phones. Not in the physical sense, but if it is stolen, the new “theft detection lock” guarantees that the personal information is secure, ensuring that the thief cannot utilize the phone, even if it’s one of the unlocked Android phones.

The newly announced Xiaomi 14T Pro was found to include this innovative feature, which is now being rolled out to Android smartphone customers in the US, including those with unlocked Android phones. Mishaal Rahman initially reported the news on Threads. Three main theft-related feature components are being rolled out by Google: remote lock, offline device lock, and theft detection lock, all of which enhance the security of unlocked Android phones.

The new theft detection lock feature applies a machine learning model to detect a phone snatched from someone’s hand. The thief then attempts to flee on foot or in a car. Once the Android smartphone, especially an unlocked Android phone, detects theft detection lock mode, the cell locks itself automatically, depriving the robber of any private data that may have been saved on the device.

Similarly, if a thief attempts to disconnect the telephone from the net for a long length of time, yet another feature known as offline device lock will also be triggered. This feature is particularly important for all the owners of unlocked Android phones because it will serve as an added safety feature. Finally, the thieves who stole those mobile phones, including the unlocked Android devices, can use the remote locking feature provided by the Find, My Device manager in order to lock their devices remotely and, during such lockout, ensure that their users will be able to access the data in a locked device.

These beta capabilities, which Google has been testing since August, will soon be available on all compatible Android smartphones, including unlocked Android phones. On compatible Android handsets, these functions can be accessed through the Settings > Google > Google Services menu. To make use of all the most recent anti-theft security features offered by Google, make sure you are using the most recent version of the Google Play services, especially if you own unlocked Android phones.