Google is equipping Android 16 with two new safety features: Identification Examine and Superior Safety. These options are designed to guard smartphone customers from AI-supported assaults, knowledge theft and different new threats.
The ultimate Android 16 model is anticipated to be launched in December 2025. Beta customers can already take a look at these features.
What’s Identification Examine and the way does it work?
Identification Examine mechanically checks whether or not the person is in a location that’s outlined as reliable. If the system is used at an unknown location, Android 16 requires further biometric affirmation for security-relevant actions, akin to altering passwords or accessing saved knowledge – even when the smartphone is already unlocked.
The characteristic is particularly designed to stop assaults wherein third events might even see the PIN being entered, or briefly acquire entry to the system, permitting them to hijack accounts or deactivate safety features.
Customers can select to outline trusted places at which further authentication isn’t required (akin to their very own dwelling). For safety causes, nevertheless, Google recommends that that is by no means executed in public locations.
What options does Superior Safety have?
Superior Safety bundles various safety measures:
- An actual-time test of all apps which can be put in, even outdoors the Play Retailer
- Safety in opposition to adware, malicious apps and insecure networks
- Warnings about suspicious hyperlinks in browsers and messenger apps
- Extra safety for Google Messages and cellphone apps
Through the use of the Account Safety possibility on the identical web page, customers also can activate safety for his or her Google account to stop focused on-line assaults.
Why these options are essential now
The brand new options coincide with Cybersecurity Consciousness Month, which recognises that AI-powered phishing emails and deepfake assaults are more and more doubtless threats. Present vulnerabilities akin to pixnapping, which permits hackers to steal 2FA codes, present that malicious apps may even take screenshots of different apps – akin to Google Authenticator – with out the person realising it.
Android 16 thus shifts the safety technique from reactive updates to proactive, clever types of defence that take the “human issue” under consideration and react mechanically to uncommon conditions.
The brand new safety features can be out there to all customers with the upcoming Android 16 QPR2 updates. Rollout is anticipated to be from December 2025. Those that have already got entry by way of beta variations or Play Companies updates can activate the features now.
Google recommends activating the options instantly after the replace within the settings beneath “Safety and privateness” to make sure most safety.
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This text initially appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and tailored from German.
