Google is rolling out a set of new features, announced back in May, to help protect Android phones from theft. According to The Verge, two of the three features, Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock, have already arrived on some smartphones. The third feature, Remote Lock, has also arrived, but not for all users.
Key Features of the Update
The most notable feature is Theft Detection Lock, which uses artificial intelligence to lock the screen if it detects “typical theft-related movements” on the device, such as when the phone is suddenly snatched from the hands. This is designed to prevent thieves from accessing the device immediately after stealing it.
Offline Device Lock will automatically lock the screen if the device remains offline for an extended period. This helps to protect the phone when it’s out of range of any network. Meanwhile, Remote Lock allows owners to lock their smartphone using a phone number if they cannot log in to the Find My Device service with a password.
Device Compatibility and Availability
Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock are currently supported on Android 10 or higher devices, while Remote Lock requires at least Android 5, adds NIX Solutions. If the update is not available yet, users are encouraged to try updating Google Play Services. However, since Google often releases new features gradually, it may take time for them to be available for all users. We’ll keep you updated on when these features become widely accessible.
Screenshots of the Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock settings have already surfaced in Threads, providing a glimpse of what to expect.