Google recently showcased the future of Android at The Android Show I/O Edition. With the next version set to use Material 3 Expressive design, it will be the biggest change to the OS in recent years. Apart from a visual overhaul, Android 16 also brings some much-needed security features to protect your privacy. From Advanced Protection Mode to Find Hub, here’s everything new coming to Android with Android 16.
6 New Security Features That Will Preserve Your Privacy In Android 16
1. Scam Detection And In-Call Protection
With Android 16, Google is introducing a new Scam Detection feature to protect users from potential scams. It is one of the new security features that can detect suspicious messages in the Google Messages app. It can also detect crypto scams, financial scams, toll road scams, and gift card scams. Previously, the AI-powered feature was limited to package delivery and job-seeking scams.
It also works on the phone if you receive any suspicious calls. You won’t be able to install any third-party apps or share your screen during the call. Moreover, you won’t be able to disable Play Protect or grant accessibility permission on the call. The ability to prevent Play Protect from disabling will also be available on devices running Android 6 and above.
Last but not least, Google is introducing a feature called in-call protection. It will be available in the UK as part of a pilot project and will warn users trying to share their screen in a banking app. Initially, it will work with three banks and be available on Android 11 and above. The main objective of the feature is to prevent scammers from extracting money by posing as a genuine financial institution or banker.
2. Advanced Protection Mode
One of the biggest Android 16 security features is the Advanced Protection Mode (APM). So if you are a high-risk individual or someone who simply values their security, APM is for you.
This is the ultimate security feature that disables all the crucial settings to deter hackers. It logs any possible intrusions, disables USB connection, and prevents you from joining Wi-Fi networks.
Moreover, it turns on theft detection lock, offline device lock, and inactivity reboot. APM also enables Safe Browsing, JavaScript protection, Spam protection, Automatic Call Screen, Scam Detection, 2G Network protection, and more
All Google apps will follow the settings set by the APM. Moreover, the company claims it will also work with third-party apps in the future.
3. Anti-Theft Features
With Android 15, Google introduced some useful Anti-Theft features, The company is working on the foundation with a new Identity Check feature. Available on One UI 7 and Pixel devices, it will roll out to more phones with Android 16.
Identity Check prevents others from remotely unlocking your phone by asking some security questions. Similarly, the Factory Reset protection will ask you a security question if someone tries to reset your phone without authorization.
The option to enter a one-time password won’t appear on phones that haven’t been connected to Wi-Fi or unlocked recently. Last but not least, any OTPs you receive will be hidden on the lock screen
Also Read:
- Android 16 Bubble Bar: 7 Things Google Could Add To Make It Better
- 10 Features We Wish to See in Android 16
4. Find Hub To Keep Track Of Things
The Find My Device app is getting a new name; it’s now called The Find Hub. Apart from the name change, it will also let you track your friends and family just like Apple’s Find My.
Available on devices with Android 8 and above, it will also let you track Bluetooth trackers from different partners. Furthermore, Google is working with makers like July and Mokobara for a new built-in luggage tracking feature.
And if you wish to get tracking capabilities on your existing baggage, the company is introducing nearby finding on UWB (Ultra Wide Band) tags. There’s also satellite connectivity coming to Find Hub, so you can recover your luggage even if there’s no internet nearby.
5. Improved Google Play Protect
Google Play Protect, the feature that can detect malicious apps, is getting an upgrade. It can now detect threats in real-time.
It can identify apps that try to change their icons in real time or the ones that hide themselves to prevent detection. Available on Pixel 6 and above, the feature will make the process of identifying such apps easier for users.
Google’s enhanced Play Protect can identify malicious apps quickly and works on-device. It will look for any malware patterns and warn users before they install any app.
6. Key Verifier
Another new Android 16 security feature is Key Verifier. Just like WhatsApp’s encryption verification feature, you can check whether a person is who they are. You can scan a QR code or compare numbers to verify their identity.
So, in case someone tries to steal or impersonate your SIM card and then tries to message your contact, the secret key wouldn’t match since they are using the SIM on a new device.
