Android Smartphones Get Auto-Restart Security Feature With Latest Google Play Services Update

Google is rolling out a brand new safety function to Android smartphones that can routinely restart a consumer’s handset if it hasn’t been unlocked for a three-day interval. This function is designed to safe the info on a smartphone, stopping unauthorised entry. The function can also be anticipated to be out there on Android tablets. Apple rolled out an analogous ‘Inactivity Reboot’ function with iOS 18.1 in October 2024, which reboots an iPhone whether it is left unattended for a 72-hour interval.

Rebooting Android Phones to Protect Data From Unauthorised Access

The newest Google Play services v25.14 update that started rolling out on Monday features a new function that can reboot an Android smartphone routinely if it has been locked “for 3 consecutive days”. This signifies that if you have not unlocked your handset for a 72-hour interval, it’s going to routinely restart and you’ll be prompted to enter your passcode once you choose up your smartphone once more.

When a smartphone is rebooted, all consumer knowledge on the handset is encrypted and biometrics are disabled till a consumer enters their passcode. This is known as the Before First Unlock (BFU) state, which prevents unauthorised entry to consumer knowledge. Once the passcode is entered, the consumer knowledge is decrypted and biometric unlocking is enabled, and the machine enters the After First Unlock (AFU) state.

By routinely rebooting an Android smartphone whether it is left unattended for 3 days, Google can shield consumer knowledge from being accessed by unauthorised events, together with thieves. BFU is enabled each time a telephone is rebooted, so a easy restart might help safeguard consumer data.

While Google’s changelog mentions the automated restart function is obtainable for “Phone”, the identical function is prone to arrive on Android tablets. Google’s changelog additionally mentions that this shall be an non-obligatory function, which means that there could be a toggle to disable the function.

The same computerized restart function was just lately launched by Apple with the iOS 18.1 replace. If an iPhone operating on iOS 18.1 or newer is left unattended for 72 hours, the handset will reboot to safeguard consumer knowledge. The function was found after smartphones seized by legislation enforcement rebooted on their very own, due to the brand new ‘Inactivity Reboot’ function.