Android 15 to bring theft detection, private space and other features

Android 15

Android 15 Beta 2 update has finally rolled out and brings a host of new features. Among them one that catches the eye is a a new AI-powered theft detection feature alongside Google Play fraud protection.

Google’s new Theft Detection Lock feature

According to a blog post by Google, Android devices will be able to detect when they are snatched, with the help of AI. Google is calling this feature ‘Theft Detection Lock’, and with the help of AI, it will automatically lock your Android device to prevent thieves from stealing your data.

Further, Google wrote, “If a thief forces a reset of the stolen device, they cannot set it up again without knowing your device or Google account credentials. This renders a stolen device unsellable, reducing incentives for phone theft.”

The Theft Detection Lock feature will use smartphone sensors, such as the accelerometer and gyroscope. Google has also trained its algorithms to detect sudden changes in the phone’s positioning and the motions that might indicate it has been snatched or stolen.

Also, when a user disables Find My Device or extends the screen timeout, they must enter a PIN, password, or use biometric authentication. This added security layer should prevent thieves from unlocking the device or factory resetting it.

Google is also adding a new “Private spaces” option where you can store sensitive apps, such as banking apps, that require a second PIN or use of your biometrics, such as a fingerprint, to access those apps or data.

These new protection features will be officially rolled out with the Android 15, while the other security features will be released later this year. The Thief Detection Lock feature will be rolled out to all Android devices with Android 10 + OS later this year.

Also read: Google's Project Astra provides a glimpse at the future of AI assistants