Mishal Rahman / Android Authority
TL; Dr.
- Android 16 introduces a “safe lock” feature that increases the safety of locking a lost device from a distance.
- Safe locks restrict access to notifications, quick settings, widgets and digital assistants and require both screen lock credentials and biometrics to unlock the phone.
- While not yet active, we hope that this feature will be integrated into the Find Hub, automatically promoting the safety of its “safe device” option.
If you lose your Android phone and are worried about leaking your sensitive data, you can use Google’s Find Hub Reset the service or factory to lock the service from a distance. A factory reset is the safest option as it wipes all your data, but it comes with a major negative side: you can no longer track the phone. On the other hand, locking it from a distance allows you to track it, but does not completely secure the device. This safety difference may soon be a matter of the past, however, thanks for a new safe lock feature introduced in the latest. Android 16 Update.
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When you mark your device as lost or use the “safe device” option in a found hub, the service locks it, requiring your pin, pattern or password. It also signs out of your Google account, removes the payment card Google walletAnd can display a custom message on the lock screen.
However, this standard lock leaves many features accessible to anyone who picks up your phone. They can still pull the quick settings panels, watch the lock screen widget, reach the digital accessory, and see the notification panels (although the notification material itself is hidden). Although they do not highlight your most sensitive data, they create potential safety gaps that are better than seals.
This is designed to perform the new safe lock feature of Android 16. This not only prohibits access to the above features, but also increases the lock screen by forcing multi-factor authentication for device entry. This means that a thief has to know your screen lock (your pin, pattern and password) and spoke your biometric data to get access; Without one, one will not be enough. It makes much stronger than safe lock Identity checkAn existing feature that only requires biometric authentication when your device is away from a reliable location.
When I first revealed that Google was Working on a safe lock feature Earlier this year, I was not sure that this feature would actually launch in Android 16. Source Code of Android 16 Earlier this month, however, I can finally confirm that this feature is part of the update and how it works, I share more details about it.
For the beginning, how is Google here Describes Android 16 new safe lock feature:
“Secure lock is a new feature that enables users to lock their mobile devices from a distance through the authorized customers in an increased safety condition, which restrictions to sensitive data (app notifications, widgets, quick settings, etc.) and requires both cachaotic and biometric vigor for device entry.”
Safe lock can be enabled by privileged system apps with new new MANAGE_SECURE_LOCK_DEVICE Permission. These apps can then use new Authentication To activate the mode. Google describes this API as a centralized interface for managing certification on device on the device “, stating that it contains” device locking capabilities “that is designed to protect Android users in” risk “in environment.
When enabling or dismissing the safe lock on the device, a custom message can be shown on the lock screen. If no message has been provided, the system will show a default message as “the device is safely locked from a distance” if safe locks have been enabled or “safe lock mode has been disabled” if it is disabled.
Mishal Rahman / Android Authority
After securing the Find Hub of Google from a distance, the lock can display a custom message at the top of the screen.
Although it is not yet in use, we have some evidence that suggests that Google will soon implement this feature. Recent version of Google play services App is already included MANAGE_SECURE_LOCK_DEVICE Permission. Since Google’s Find Hub is part of the service play services, it is a clear candidate to use a safe lock, even if we do not know the exact custom message that it will appear on the lock screen.
Google can also include safe locks in Android’s enterprise control, although it is less likely. The details of the AuthenticationPolicymanager API stated that it “does not belong to the enterprise control surfaces and does not offer additional administrative control,” suggesting that it would not be a tool to secure lost corporate devices. So we feel that the safe lock feature will be used to quietly increase the efficacy of the “safe device” button of the found hub. We will not know it until Google actually deploys it.
