Protect your phone with Android theft detection features

After Google beta Tested in Brazil, the initial suite of theft protection features Android smartphones now Widely available– But you have to choose.

Why doesn’t the company automatically add protection to every compatible device? Insight from Beta testing Brazil The company’s developers helped make this decision. “We learned that users behaved very differently in urban areas and in rural areas,” says Jianning Sandra Guo, Android security and privacy product manager. Google. It doesn’t want to add unnecessary friction for users who don’t care about anti-theft software.

Three features that many Android owners can activate right now Theft detection lock,Lock the device in offline mode, and remote lock. Curious about using these protective features on your Android smartphone? Here’s a peek at how AI detection happens and the steps on how to activate anti-theft features.

How does Android theft detection work?

Since many thefts can be violent or involve sudden jerky movements, Guo sought out Deputy AD from Google’s activity recognition team, which has worked on a somewhat similar feature available on Pixel smartphones to Car accident detection. “At a very high level, it starts with motion sensors,” she says. But, an approach that focuses solely on sudden movements may lead to so many false triggers, users will likely find the option more annoying than useful — and that’s where machine learning, a slice of artificial intelligence on pattern recognition, comes into play.

Google developers researched smartphone theft methods used in different parts of the globe and ran the heists on training data. “We reactivate those scenarios. Then we collect the trace of the device.” “We use artificial intelligence to compile these traces into a model to try to predict the next time a grab will occur.” For Android owners, this process is done using device models.

The AI ​​model is not static, and the developers plan to continue adding new smartphone theft scenarios to the training data as criminals modify their behavior. Also, with Global launch Among these anti-theft features, they can now learn more about how a variety of smartphone owners actually interact with these options.

How can I turn it on?

Go ahead and check if your phone is running a recent version of Android OS. Your device must be at least Android 10 To operate these three features, the latest Android 15 The program gives you access to more security options. It’s an essential first step, but if you haven’t already, also add a passcode to your device by going to your privacy settings.

Next, open Settings application on your phone and search for it Theft protection. Opening this tab will display the three lock screen safety features. “It’s very common for a cell phone to assume that the person who has access to it is the rightful owner,” Guo says. By adding more ways to activate the lock screen, users have more protection if their phone is unlocked while unlocked. when Theft detection lock Toggle it on, the screen will automatically lock if it detects a potential burglary, based on movement patterns as well as whether Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is still connected.

with Lock the device in offline mode Activated, your phone will go to the lock screen, up to twice a day, if the Internet is suddenly turned off for a period of time or Airplane Mode is activated. “From our market research, this is a common attack they do after taking an unlocked device,” Guo says. Why do thieves do this? When the device is offline, it cannot be Remote reset via Find My Guest To erase your personal information from the device.

The third lock screen security option is available on this page Remote lock. You will have to click on the name to see this toggle, unlike the first two options. The feature is designed to give you a quick and easily accessible option to lock your phone by visiting Android.com/lock On any device and enter your phone number. However, the remote lock will only work twice a day and activate when the smartphone is connected to the Internet.