Google wants to make stolen Android smartphones unsaleable

In the course of the Android Show on May 13, Google announced that it would make the theft of an Android device even less attractive. To this end, the company intends to further strengthen protection against factory reset protection (FRP) over the course of the year.

As Google explains, the system is designed to recognize when someone tries to bypass the setup wizard. In this case, the device is automatically forced to reset to the factory settings. Use is only possible again when the owner enters their Google account details.

Users will also have more control over the remote lock function, which will be provided with an additional security prompt to prevent unauthorized actions.

Factory reset protection has long been part of Android

Google integrated factory reset protection (FRP) into the mobile operating system with Android 5 Lollipop and has continued to expand it ever since. The function protects the device against unauthorized resetting. For this purpose, the device stores a security key in a protected area of the device that is separate from the user data. This ensures that it survives a factory reset.

The key is generated when the user adds a Google account to the device for the first time. This key can only be removed by a factory reset initiated via the settings app, as this method requires user authentication.

If unauthorized people attempt to reset the device via the recovery menu, which can be opened via a key combination when the device is switched on, the factory reset protection is activated immediately. The same can be done by the user via Google's “Find My Device” network – which was recently renamed “Find Hub” –.

Hardened factory reset protection will probably appear with Android 16 QPR1

Google last introduced FRP optimizations with Android 15. With the system update, it was not possible to add new Google accounts, set up a screen lock or install apps after an unauthorized reset. Likewise, the developer options no longer offered a way to bypass the protection.

With Android 16, Google is expanding the FRP and making it practically impossible for thieves to completely reset the Android device to the factory settings. Apple also offers similar system protection for its devices – without the Apple account.

According to Google, the new function will only be added to the system “later in the year” and is apparently not yet part of Android 16, the final version of which will be released in June. Accordingly, Google could distribute the feature, similar to the new Material 3 Expressive design, with one of the upcoming Quarterly Platform Releases (QPR).

(afl)