Google Expands Android Theft Protection With Stronger Authentication and Identity Check

Google announced updated Android Theft Protection capabilities aimed at reducing account takeover and financial fraud risks following device theft, with availability starting on devices running Android 16+. The updates strengthen authentication safeguards by making screen lock guessing harder (longer lockout periods after repeated failed PIN/pattern/password attempts) and by improving controls around lock behavior after excessive failed authentications, including a dedicated settings toggle for Failed Authentication Lock.

Google also expanded Identity Check—which requires biometric authentication for sensitive actions when the device is outside trusted places—to cover a broader set of actions and apps that use the Android Biometric Prompt, including third-party banking apps and Google Password Manager. In parallel, Android’s Remote Lock capabilities were highlighted as part of the theft-response toolset, giving users more control to lock a lost or stolen device and limit further misuse.