Earlier this year, Google announced three awesome theft protection features for Android: Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, and Remote Lock. These tools were first introduced in Brazil, but now they’re expanding to users around the world!
What Do These Features Do?
Imagine your phone gets stolen or lost—scary, right? These new features will help keep your data safe if that ever happens.
- Theft Detection Lock: Your phone’s sensors will know if it’s been snatched and will automatically lock itself! Super cool, right?
- Offline Device Lock: If someone tries to take your phone offline for too long, it will lock itself, making it almost impossible for thieves to use it.
- Remote Lock: You can lock your phone from anywhere! Just visit android.com/lock, enter your phone number, and boom—your phone is locked tight.
Where Are These Features Available?
Here’s where it gets interesting. People are seeing these features at different times, depending on where they live and what phone they have.
Android expert Mishaal Rahman noticed Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock on his Xiaomi 14T Pro. Meanwhile, someone else with a Pixel 9 Pro XL in France saw all three features, including Remote Lock.
But it doesn’t stop there! A user in the US with a Pixel 7 Pro said they only had Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock. On the other hand, another person in the US with a Verizon Pixel 9 Pro XL saw only Remote Lock. Even Motorola and Samsung users have started spotting these features on their devices.
Why You Should Care
Having your phone stolen or lost is a nightmare, but these new Android tools could be your life-savers. Theft Detection Lock will automatically shield your phone the moment it’s snatched. Offline Device Lock will keep it secure even if a thief tries to disconnect it from the internet. And if you’re ever away from your phone, Remote Lock lets you lock it instantly, from anywhere.
These tools are slowly rolling out across different devices and countries, so keep an eye on your phone settings—you might already have them!