Android is making stolen phones unusable with enhanced theft protection

[DragonSlayer101]

What just happened? Modern Android phones already include theft-protection features that lock devices and prevent unauthorized factory resets, making it harder for thieves to resell stolen phones. However, Google plans to strengthen these safeguards by blocking access to all functionality on stolen devices.

Google hosted The Android Show: I/O Edition this week, offering a preview of Android 16 and Wear OS 6. While Gemini AI stole the spotlight, the company also showcased an updated Factory Reset Protection feature aimed at making stolen Android devices virtually unusable. Updates to the OS will lock down any phone when it detects an unauthorized reset or attempts to bypass existing safeguards, rendering it unusable to thieves. Owners can restore recovered devices through authentication checks.

Google did not share technical details about the new feature. However, a screenshot suggests the updated tool will disable a device if it detects an attempt to force a factory reset through suspicious methods. The image shows a message explaining that the device was locked after a factory reset because it failed authentication during setup. It adds that entering the device's last-used passcode or linked Google Account credentials will restore functionality.

Google confirmed that the updated Factory Reset Protection will roll out later this year, likely alongside Android 16. It doesn't appear to be included in the current Android 16 Beta 4.1, released earlier this month unless developers have it hidden. However, it could arrive with the final Quarterly Platform Release.

Google also announced that the stable Android 16 update will arrive in June with a new Material 3 Expressive design language. A recent leak suggests the refreshed interface will focus on color, shape, size, motion, and containment to improve usability, particularly for older users.

The new design will extend across all native apps, including a revamped Clock app. The update will bring an updated bottom toolbar, a new font, and redesigned Alarms, Timer, and Stopwatch tabs.

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Android is making stolen phones unusable with enhanced theft protection

 

[Squid Surprise]

Maybe this will finally stop our students (and parents) from pawning their school-issued Chromebooks!!

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Maybe this will finally stop our students (and parents) from pawning their school-issued Chromebooks!!

ChromeOS has already long had this ability to lock devices remotely. The instant a chromebook marked for lockdown hits the internet it becomes unusable.

 

[Squid Surprise]

ChromeOS has already long had this ability to lock devices remotely. The instant a chromebook marked for lockdown hits the internet it becomes unusable.

Yeah, not really… it’s a fairly easy thing to circumvent… I’ve had to do it numerous times when a student accidentally locks their Chromebook…

 

[daffy duck]

ChromeOS has already long had this ability to lock devices remotely. The instant a chromebook marked for lockdown hits the internet it becomes unusable.

Do society a favour at least.

 

[airbornex]

This kind of theft deterrent is one of the best uses of OS-level control. It won’t stop phones from being stolen entirely, but if a device turns into a literal paperweight without the owner’s credentials, it definitely shrinks the incentive.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Yeah, not really… it’s a fairly easy thing to circumvent… I’ve had to do it numerous times when a student accidentally locks their Chromebook…

Yeah, its actually not that easy....and if it was, you should be reporting said bugs to Google and collecting those sweet bounties.

Once the chromebook in question is marked in the console to be locked, the moment it reaches out to google servers (which it has to do to log in) it will lock itself down. sure, you can "reset" it with a chromeOS stick, but again, the moment it reaches out to google, down it goes!

I would LOVE to know how you get past this so easily.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Yeah, its actually not that easy....and if it was, you should be reporting said bugs to Google and collecting those sweet bounties.

Once the chromebook in question is marked in the console to be locked, the moment it reaches out to google servers (which it has to do to log in) it will lock itself down. sure, you can "reset" it with a chromeOS stick, but again, the moment it reaches out to google, down it goes!

I would LOVE to know how you get past this so easily.

Certain models of Chromebook can be unlocked by knowing the serial and having the email… ironically, google is your friend there…

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Certain models of Chromebook can be unlocked by knowing the serial and having the email… ironically, google is your friend there…

Yeah,right up until they contact Google's server and re lock themselves.

Which models are you talking about? And how do they bypass the cloud connection permanently? Inquiring minds would love to know.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Yeah,right up until they contact Google's server and re lock themselves.

Which models are you talking about? And how do they bypass the cloud connection permanently? Inquiring minds would love to know.

Again, it's a fairly simple go-around... and it works provided the new user is on the approved "list"... basically resets the "lock"... I'm not sharing info on a public space as I'd prefer not to be banned....