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

Google is rolling out a brand new safety characteristic to Android smartphones that can robotically restart a person’s handset if it hasn’t been unlocked for a three-day interval. This characteristic is designed to safe the information on a smartphone, stopping unauthorised entry. The characteristic can be anticipated to be obtainable on Android tablets. Apple rolled out an identical ‘Inactivity Reboot’ characteristic 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 providers v25.14 replace that started rolling out on Monday features a new characteristic that can reboot an Android smartphone robotically if it has been locked “for 3 consecutive days”. This implies that if you have not unlocked your handset for a 72-hour interval, it would robotically restart and you’ll be prompted to enter your passcode once you choose up your smartphone once more.

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

By robotically rebooting an Android smartphone whether it is left unattended for 3 days, Google can defend person knowledge from being accessed by unauthorised events, together with thieves. BFU is enabled every time a cellphone is rebooted, so a easy restart may also help safeguard person data.

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

The same automated restart characteristic was 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 person knowledge. The characteristic was found after smartphones seized by legislation enforcement rebooted on their very own, because of the brand new ‘Inactivity Reboot’ characteristic.