NEW YORK— Apple did it with iOS, now it’s Google’s turn to integrate a new security feature in Android that automatically restarts the smartphone after a certain period of inactivity.
The aim is to prevent a thief or any unauthorised person holding the device from accessing sensitive data.
According to Android Authority, Google is planning to build a new security feature into Android 16 very soon, in the form of an automatic reboot of the smartphone after three consecutive days without unlocking.
This measure, according to AFP, aims to protect user data in case of theft or simply unauthorised access.
This option, spotted in the Google Play services code (version 25.11.34), would be part of an “Advanced Protection Mode” of the future Android 16 operating system.
The principle is extremely simple: if a device remains locked for 72 hours, i.e., no one has actively used it during that entire period, the smartphone will restart automatically.
The aim is to enhance data security by making it more difficult to access personal information in the event of theft or loss of the phone. By restarting automatically, the device cannot be unlocked without manual authentication.
This is necessary for all users who, unfortunately, don’t set their smartphone to be systematically locked after a few seconds of inactivity.
It remains to be seen whether this new feature will be activated by default or whether it will require manual activation by the user. The annual Google I/O conference, to be held on May 20 and 21, 2025, at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, will provide an opportunity to learn more about Android 16 in general and its upcoming availability. For the first time, its rollout is set to begin in early summer rather than in the fall.
Regarding security, Google is following in the footsteps of Apple, which recently introduced a similar feature in iOS (18.1). Its reboot mechanism puts the device in a maximized security state, requiring a unique passcode to unlock it.
