Abstract

• Google launched a brand new safety function that routinely restarts Android units after 3 days of inactivity.
• Restarts enhance safety by placing units in an encrypted state, requiring a password or pin to unlock.
• You will get this function via a Google Play companies replace, not an OS software program replace.

The subsequent time you seize a spare Android telephone or pill, do not be shocked to seek out it locked after being rebooted for safety causes. This week, Google began rolling out a brand new safety function for Android that may routinely restart units which were sitting idle for 3 days or longer.

Google usually improves units via behind-the-scenes updates to the Google Play services app as a substitute of with a big over-the-air OS launch, and that is what’s occurring proper now. We anticipated this function to go stay later this 12 months as a side of Android 16’s Superior Safety Program, but it surely’s arriving already.

In accordance with 9to5Google, the newest April Google Play companies model 25.14 replace changelog notes a brand new function the place Android units will “routinely restart if locked for 3 consecutive days.” This variation solely applies to telephones and tablets (not TVs, and so on,) and can solely reboot units, that means your whole information is secure. This isn’t a reset however a easy energy off/on reboot.

So, why would Google make such an fascinating change? It is truly to enhance safety on units that sit idle too lengthy or are in any other case not used repeatedly. That method, spare units or an old Android device you repurposed stay secure and safe.

By restarting the gadget, it enters a Earlier than First Unlock (BFU) state, the place biometrics like fingerprint unlock aren’t accessible but. As a substitute, the gadget is in an encrypted state that is more durable to entry and requires a password, pin, or sample unlock first. After three days of inactivity on a telephone or pill, the gadget might reboot and return to the BFU state. Then, you will merely must enter your pin or password to begin utilizing it once more.

For what it is price, this isn’t a brand new idea. Apple added an identical function to iOS 18 final 12 months, the place an iPhone or iPad would reboot after seven days. Nevertheless, it later modified that to a few days in an update to iOS 18.1 a month later. Moreover, different Android-based working techniques, like GrapheneOS, have an identical perform.

In a considerably related vogue, Samsung Galaxy units allow you to set an automatic reboot after a set variety of days, which might enhance safety and efficiency. Nevertheless, this function is not primarily based on exercise and can merely reboot a tool no matter its state as quickly because it reaches the time and date specified. Google’s new function is being routinely utilized to units for optimum safety.

We’re not sure which Android units will get this newest safety function or when the Google Play companies replace will roll out to all customers. Within the meantime, you’ll be able to head to Settings > Safety & privateness > System & updates > and faucet on Google Play system replace to manually test.

We do not know if Google plans so as to add any settings to let customers customise this function, and it will probably occur routinely. Nor do we all know if the lock display will alert customers {that a} reboot has occurred. That mentioned, you will usually see an icon within the notification shade after rebooting an Android telephone that mentions the gadget has been restarted and to unlock the gadget to get app notifications. I think about Google’s new replace will function in a similar way.

Supply: 9to5Google by way of The Verge