In May 2024, Google announced new Theft protection features for Android 10 and newer devices, and they are now starting to roll out through Play services. If you want to check them out, just search for “Theft protection” in your device’s Settings app or visit the Google services page under the “All services” tab.
This new features aim to keep your personal data safe if your phone gets stolen. One key feature, called Theft Detection Lock, uses your device’s sensors, Wi-Fi, and other connections to tell if someone suddenly grabs your phone while you’re using it. If this happens, your phone will automatically lock to protect your information.
Another feature, Offline Device Lock, comes into play if someone steals your phone and turns off the internet to prevent it from being tracked. For this to work, you need to be actively using your device while it’s unlocked. Your screen can lock automatically up to twice a day to help keep your data safe.
Finally, there’s Remote Lock. If your phone is stolen, you can visit android.com/lock from a trusted person’s device. You’ll need to enter your phone number and a security challenge, making it quicker to secure your phone than using the traditional Find My Device method.
Google started testing these features in Brazil in June. Now, users worldwide, including on Pixel and Samsung devices, are beginning to see some of these Theft protection features.
However, it seems like the full launch isn’t quite here yet. In the U.S., users on the Google Play services beta (version 24.40.33) are seeing all three features, while they’re not yet available on the stable channel.
