Android 16 Could Make Stolen Phones Useless
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Summary
- Android 16 will enhance Factory Reset Protection to prevent stolen phones from being used without the owner’s credentials.
- The improved FRP will block all device functions until the original Google account credentials are entered.
- The improvements might not roll out with the initial Android 16 build.
Over the years, Google has added several theft protection features to Android. This includes offline phone finding and your phone automatically locking itself when it detects a sudden, unexpected movement. There’s also Factory Reset Protection (FRP), a security feature designed to make a stolen phone unusable without the owner’s credentials. However, thieves have found clever ways to circumvent this security feature. With Android 16, Google plans to improve the Factory Reset Protection feature further to close any such loopholes.
Related
Google made several improvements to FRP in Android 15. Even if thieves bypass the initial setup wizard, the OS will prevent them from logging in to a new Google account or installing apps. Additionally, they can’t turn off the Factory Reset Protection feature from the hidden Developer Options menu. The device can only be unlocked when the original owner logs in with their Google account or enters the old screen lock code.
As Mishaal Rahman spotted for Android Authority, Google revealed during The Android Show: I/O Edition that it will further improve FRP with Android 16. It will “restrict all functionalities on devices that are reset without the owner’s authorization.” While Google did not provide more information, a screenshot shared during the presentation sheds more light on the enhancements.
Android 16 will seemingly display a warning and force users to factory reset if they somehow bypass the setup wizard on a stolen device. Essentially, the company will block all functionality on the device until the user resets it and enters the previous screen lock or Google account credentials. This implementation would be a lot more stringent than the current implementation in Android, where stolen devices can still be used for making phone calls and other purposes.
You may have to wait for this Factory Reset Protection to go live
Jules Wang / AP
Based on Google’s wording during the announcement, this improvement to Factory Reset Protection may not be a part of the initial release of Android 16 this June. Instead, it could arrive with the first QPR release later in the year. Whenever it arrives, the upgrade to Factory Reset Protection will be a welcome addition and effectively render stolen devices useless to thieves.
