Users can turn on built-in Android theft protection features to automatically lock screen access and secure personal data if a device is lost or stolen, according to instructions published by Google.
Before you start
Google states that users must set a lock screen on their device before turning on theft protection features. Some steps require Android 10 or Android 15 and up, and these features are not supported on Android Go devices, tablets, or wearables.
Steps to turn on Theft Detection Lock
Step 1: Open your device's Settings app.
Step 2: Tap Google, select All services, and under Personal & device safety, tap Theft protection.
Step 3: Turn on Theft Detection Lock. Google notes that if the setting is grayed out, your device does not support this feature.
Steps to turn on Offline Device Lock and Failed Authentication Lock
Step 1: Open your device's Settings app and navigate to Google, then All services, and tap Theft protection.
Step 2: Turn on Offline Device Lock to lock your screen automatically if the phone goes offline after being used while unlocked.
Step 3: Turn on Failed Authentication Lock to lock the device automatically when authentication attempts fail repeatedly.
Steps to set up Remote Lock and Identity Check
Step 1: Open Settings, tap Google, select All services, tap Theft protection under Personal & device safety, select Remote Lock, and turn on Remote lock using a verified phone number.
Step 2: To activate Identity Check, open Settings, tap Google, tap All services, select Theft protection, tap Identity Check, sign in to your Google Account, add a screen lock, set up biometrics and trusted places, and tap Done.
What to do
- Set a screen lock on your Android device before configuring theft protection features.
- Navigate to Settings > Google > All services > Theft protection to enable Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, and Failed Authentication Lock.
- Verify your phone number in Remote Lock settings to enable locking your device at android.com/lock.
Key facts and where they come from
- Theft protection features require a lock screen to be set on the device.
To turn on these features, set a lock screen on your device.
- Theft Detection Lock uses AI and hardware sensors to identify theft attempts and lock the screen.
Theft Detection Lock uses AI, your device’s motion sensors, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
- Remote Lock allows users to lock their screen using a verified phone number.
you can use Remote Lock with a verified phone number.
