Theft Protection on Android: what it is and how you activate the feature
Mobile phones are not only expensive, they may also hold the keys to someone's life. From personal photos over emails to finance apps or chats. Bad things can happen when a mobile gets stolen.
This is true especially if the mobile is unlocked. Google implemented Theft Protection and the Theft Detection Lock feature in Android 15 to deal with one specific case of theft.
The details:
- Theft Protection will lock the phone if swift motion is detected.
- The idea is to lock the phone when a thief snatches it from your hands and runs away.
Google explains how Theft Detection Lock works on a support page on the Android Help website: "Theft Detection Lock uses AI, your device’s motion sensors, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth to detect if someone unexpectedly takes your device and runs away".
This also applies to similar scenarios, for instance, when someone snatches the phone and drives away in a car or on a motorbike.
Google notes that Theft Detection Lock may not activate always. For instance, it may not lock the phone if it locked the device several times in a short period of time before. It may also not lock the device if it has a stable Wi-Fi connection or Bluetooth connection.
How to enable Theft Detection Lock on Android devices
Note: The feature is only available in Android 15 or higher. Depending on the manufacturer, it may also not be available. Some manufacturers may have placed the option in a different sections in the Settings. You may want to use the search, if you can't locate it.
Here are the required steps to enable the feature:
- Open the Settings on your Android device.
- Select Google > All services > Personal & Device Safety > Theft protection.
- Tap on Theft Detection Lock.
- Activate the feature by selecting "turn on".
- Option: you may enable "Offline Device Lock" as well. This locks the screen automatically whenever the device goes offline to protect the user's data.
You can undo the change at any time by setting the feature to off again in the Android Settings.
Closing Words
Android's anti-theft protection feature may protect your data on your phone if it get stolen by locking it. Its usefulness depends on a few factors, including the auto-locking interval, which may lock the phone automatically after five seconds when the screen turns off.
It may still be useful to use a combination of features, especially if you happen to frequent places where the likelihood of theft is higher.
Now it is your turn. Have you set your mobile devices to lock automatically? What is your take on the theft protection feature? Have you enabled it?
I have Android 12 and this feature is also enable… Are you really serious?
I still receive security updates on my Moto G82, but no OS upgrades beyond Android 13. It doesn’t bother me though because I seldom take the device with me when I go out so it’s not going to get snatched anytime soon.
But I see people every day who aren’t familiar with their surroundings and are trying to find which direction they have to go on Google maps (presumably) and they make prime snatching targets for any intrepid thief. So the setting mentioned in the article will likely interest them.
The apps I use which are few and far between still work with Android 13 and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future so I’m in no hurry to buy another phone.
As for Google I avoid using it unless there’s absolutely no alternative.
My Android 15 the option was hidden as follow,
2. Select “Your Mobile Name” Google service and preferences – All services – Personal and device safety – Theft protection
Anyone who believes data on a mobile device is safe is an ignorant fool.