![\"Android](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Android-failed-authentication-lock-scaled-1.jpg\"\/ "\\"Android")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
TL;DR<\/p>\n
Google has announced a variety of theft protection improvements for Android devices.
\nThis includes a toggle for Failed Authentication Lock, a more comprehensive Identity Check feature, and a more secure Remote Lock tool.
\nGoogle is also enabling Remote Lock and Theft Detection Lock by default in Brazil.<\/p>\n
Google introduced some notable theft protection features<\/a> to Android in 2024, and it\u2019s continued to build on that foundation since then. Now, the company has announced a slew of upgrades that are now rolling out to Android phones<\/a>.<\/p>\n For starters, Android 16 devices are gaining two screen lock improvements. The first is a dedicated toggle for Failed Authentication Lock. This feature originally launched on Android 15 and automatically locks the device\u2019s display after multiple failed authentication attempts in your settings or apps. The feature didn\u2019t have a toggle at the time, although we spotted evidence for one in July<\/a>, so the company is now giving you more control. Google is also increasing the lockout time after multiple failed unlock attempts in a bid to make life tougher for thieves. However, the company says identical incorrect guesses won\u2019t count as a retry.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t want to miss the best from Android Authority?<\/p>\n Another notable upgrade is that Google is bringing a more robust Identity Check<\/a> feature to Android 16<\/a> devices. For the uninitiated, Identity Check requires users to scan their biometrics to change certain settings outside trusted places. For example, you\u2019ll need to scan your finger to turn off the Find Hub or theft protection features away from home (if you\u2019ve marked your home as a trusted place).<\/p>\n Google says it\u2019s expanding Identity Check to support all apps that use the Android Biometric Prompt. This includes banking apps and Google Password Manager. That\u2019s great news and means your third-party apps should be more secure if your device is swiped.<\/p>\n Are you happy with your Android phone’s theft protection features?<\/p>\n 90 votes<\/p>\n Yes, I am<\/p>\n 53%<\/p>\n It’s okay, but there’s room for improvement<\/p>\n 44%<\/p>\n No, I’m not<\/p>\n 2%<\/p>\n The search giant isn\u2019t stopping here, either, as it\u2019s also bringing an optional security challenge to the Remote Lock web tool<\/a>. This means users need to answer a security question before remotely locking a lost or stolen device, ensuring that no one else can lock your phone. This feature is now available on devices running Android 10 or higher, so you don\u2019t need a recent phone to gain access to this option.<\/p>\n Finally, Google has confirmed that Remote Lock and Theft Detection Lock<\/a> are now enabled out of the box on new Android devices in Brazil. That\u2019s great news and means everyday users don\u2019t have to wade through menus to activate these features, if they\u2019re aware of them in the first place. In saying so, I hope Google enables these features by default in more markets.<\/p>\n![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768240152_738_google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png\"\/ "\\"google"){kind=icon}
![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768240152_238_google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png\"\/ "\\"google"){kind=icon}
<\/a><\/p>\n