Google is rolling out some changes that should make your phone less attractive to thieves.
Several years ago, Android introduced Factory Reset Protection, a security feature that prevents an unauthorized person from accessing your phone by requiring a Google login or PIN after a factory reset. If someone fails these logins, they can't complete setup (meaning they then can't sell your phone).
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Further hardening
As part of a recent upgrade that introduced a number of security-focused features, Google says it's "further hardening" Factory Reset protections. The company didn't elaborate on what that meant, but an included screenshot did offer some insight. "This device was reset by authentication failed during setup," the screenshot reads. "To use this device, reset again and enter the device's previous lock screen or Google account credentials."
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As it stands, there are some workarounds to the current Factory Reset protection, like bypassing the setup wizard (which bypasses that login check), or turning off the Factory Reset Protection feature from a hidden Developer Options menu. These aren't tricks that normal users know, but knowledgeable thieves do. It seems like Google will be closing those workarounds soon, and forcing a login even if someone bypasses setup.
Essentially, if a phone is factory reset, any functionality is locked until ownership is confirmed.
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This is on top of an anti-theft upgrade that debuted last fall, which uses your phone's gyroscope and accelerometer to detect if someone snatches your phone from your hand, and an identity check feature from earlier this year that can lock down your phone even if someone has your PIN.
Rolling out later this year
Unfortunately, you might have to wait a little. Google said the enhancements would roll out "later this year." Given that Android 16 is just a few months away, it sounds like these enhancements won't be part of that rollout but will be included in a later update.
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