Android Phones Get Smarter Anti-Theft Features with Motion-Sensing Tech

Android's anti-theft protection has come a long way in recent years. Gone are the days of relying solely on traditional warnings and protocols to prevent phone theft. Google's Theft Protection suite, bolstered by AI, now offers proactive features that can actually prevent theft.

One such feature is motion-sensing theft detection, which quickly locks down your phone if it's snatched from your hand. Another is Offline Device Lock, which triggers a countdown and locks the screen even if a thief disables your mobile data or Wi-Fi by switching Airplane Mode on.

To enable these features, head to your device settings, typically under Google's Theft Protection menu. On Samsung phones, this can be found in Settings > Security and Privacy > Lost Device Protection > Theft Protection. For Pixel users, the path is slightly different: Settings > Security & Privacy > Device Unlock > Theft Protection.

It's essential to set up a PIN, biometrics, and a more complicated password than your first name to take full advantage of these features. This will also enable Identity Check, which periodically re-verifies using your biometrics or PIN when you're away from familiar locations.