Google has announced a new Android “Identity Check” security feature that lock sensitive settings behind biometric authentication when outside a trusted location.
The new feature is part of Anroid’s theft protection suite, which includes features like last year’s Theft Detection Lock, which is now rolling out to more Android device models.
The new Identity Check feature is designed to enhance theft protections in Android by requiring biometric authentication to access critical account and device settings when outside trusted locations.
Some sensitive actions that fall within Identity Check’s protections include performing a factory reset, changing the screen lock, registering a new fingerprint, turning off ‘Find My Device,’ adding a Google account, accessing developer options, and opening Google Password Manager.
The feature also enables ‘enhanced protection’ for Google Accounts and additional security for Samsung Accounts on eligible devices.
At launch, Identity Check will only be available on Google Pixel running Android 15 and Samsung Galaxy phones running One UI 7.
To enable the feature, head to Settings > Google account > All services > Theft Protection, and enable the “Identity Check” toggle switch.
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Theft Detection Lock is Google’s AI-powered theft detection system that can identify phone theft events based on sensor data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, and lock the screen.
The feature is designed to activate when someone grabs the phone out of the owner’s hands and runs away, which could expose personal data if the screen remains unlocked.
Previously only available on Google Pixel devices, Google is now rolling out Theft Detection to all phones running Android 10 and later.
To turn on the feature on your device, tap on Settings > Google account > All services > Theft protection, and toggle the “Theft Detection Lock” so it’s enabled.
Note that the feature can be introduced by Google Play system updates even on devices no longer supported by security updates.
Finally, Google mentions that it’s working closely with GSMA to develop new systems to tackle mobile device theft, but more information on that will be disclosed at a later date.