Google has introduced a new security feature in Android 15 called Identity Check, designed to safeguard users’ digital accounts in case of phone theft. This feature requires biometric authentication to access specific account and device settings when the user is away from trusted locations like home or work.
Enhanced Protection Against Phone Theft
Identity Check secures crucial settings such as changing the device PIN, disabling anti-theft protection, turning off Find My Device, performing a factory reset, and updating biometric data. According to Google’s blog post, “A stolen device in the wrong hands can expose sensitive data, leaving you vulnerable to identity theft, financial fraud, and privacy breaches.”
This added layer of protection minimizes risks associated with stolen devices and prevents unauthorized changes to important security settings.
Availability and Comparisons
Initially introduced in beta mode during the December Pixel Drop update, Identity Check is rolling out to Samsung Galaxy devices with the latest One UI 7 firmware, including Galaxy AI features, notes NIX Solutions. Other Android devices will gain access to this feature later this year. We’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available.
It’s worth noting that Apple has a similar feature, Stolen Device Protection, which aims to thwart attackers who steal devices after observing password entry. These measures highlight the increasing importance of securing devices against evolving threats.
This new addition strengthens Android’s overall security framework, providing peace of mind to users in an era where mobile security is paramount.