Google has introduced a new security mechanism for Android devices that could change how inactive phones are managed.
This was pushed via the Google Play system update, a core component supporting both apps and the operating system is now designed to automatically reboot if left untouched and locked.
When your Android phone stays locked continuously for three days, it will restart on its own. This update is part of Google’s “Security & Privacy” enhancements, which aim to protect data stored on your device from unauthorized access.
The reason behind this update is rooted in device security, especially against techniques that attempt to bypass user authentication.
If a phone remains locked, its critical data stays encrypted, making it harder for anyone, be it hackers or forensic tools from companies like Cellebrite or Magnet Forensics, to extract the user’s information.
By forcing a reboot after extended inactivity, Google aims to ensure that the phone returns to its most secure state. The device’s data is kept within what security professionals refer to as the “Before First Unlock” state, where it remains encrypted and inaccessible without the correct passcode.
Comparisons with iOS
This is not an entirely new feature that we’ve not seen before. Last year, Apple incorporated a similar reboot feature into its iOS. Both Google and Apple, in their own ways, are working to fight against sophisticated data extraction techniques or tools.
Sophisticated data extraction methods have challenged mobile security for decades, prompting companies to rethink how devices handle prolonged inactivity.
Although this is a welcome enhancement to Android’s security framework, Google has yet to explain the exact reasoning behind the feature. However, it aligns with a larger push to strengthen data protection and reduce the risk of unauthorized access, especially in cases where someone gains physical control of a locked device.
