Two New Android 16 Security Features Protect You Better - How To Switch Them On Now

3 days ago

Although Google's earlier-than-expected merchandise of Android 16 was missing a fewer important features, nan updated OS does present improved information that each Android personification would beryllium well-advised to enable.

I'll explicate these 2 cardinal information features and really to find and alteration them.

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1. Identity Check

This characteristic was added successful 2024, but it didn't person overmuch attraction until nan merchandise of Android 16. What is Identity Check?

Let's opportunity you're distant from location (which you've designated arsenic a trusted location -- much connected that successful a bit). While you're gone, personification gains entree to your telephone and either goes to make changes to captious information settings aliases attempts to entree saved passwords aliases different delicate information. Because nan telephone is distant from your trusted location, erstwhile that personification tries to make those changes, biometric authentication will forestall them from accessing those features aliases data.

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Here's nan point astir Identity Check: It's not easy to find. The champion measurement to find nan characteristic is to unfastened nan Settings app and hunt for "identity check." Once connected nan Identity Check page, you tin alteration nan characteristic (it should beryllium enabled by default) and adhd a trusted location. Once you've added a trusted location, biometrics won't beryllium required for that peculiar place.

Personally, I've opted not to adhd a trusted spot to guarantee I get nan astir retired of my Pixel 9 Pro's security. That, of course, is up to you. Since I spell by nan mantra "better safe than sorry," I'll opt retired of immoderate anticipation of bypassing security.

2. Advanced Protection

This caller summation to Android brings together respective beardown information measures to protect against spyware, malicious apps, insecure connections, and online threats.

The Advanced Protection action successful Android 16.

When you alteration Advanced Protection (it's enabled by default), nan pursuing safeguards are enabled:

Device information (protects against lost, stolen, aliases confiscated phones)
Apps (protects against representation bugs and malicious apps)
Networks (prevents insecure connections)
Web (protects against unsafe websites)
Phone by Google (protects against spam calls)
Google Messages (protects against spam and scams)

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All of nan supra protection happens by simply enabling Advanced Protection. You pat nan On/Off slider until it's successful nan On position, and your Android telephone is protected.

One much thing: Account Protection

There is, however, 1 much point you tin do. On nan aforesaid Advanced Protection page, you'll spot an introduction branded "Account Protection." If you pat that (and past authenticate), you tin alteration Advanced Protection for your Google relationship to safeguard you from targeted online attacks. Once connected nan resulting page, pat "Enroll successful Advanced Protection."

The Google Account Advanced Protection page.

And that's it. Once you've enabled these features (and enrolled your Google relationship successful Advanced Protection), your accusation and telephone will beryllium amended protected against harm.

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I would highly urge utilizing some of these features arsenic soon arsenic your telephone is upgraded to Android 16.

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