Android 17’s new feature protects your stolen phone
Android 17 is still being rolled out but Google is already working on improved versions of the operating system. QPR3 – the third public beta phase, which appears quarterly – was released earlier in October.
This includes a new feature that resolves a major security issue on Android smartphones. Previously, it was possible to access Quick Settings even when the device was locked. Among other things, this allowed users to enable (or disable) Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, mobile data, aeroplane mode or other functions without first unlocking the smartphone.
In a post on Threads, Google provided a more detailed overview of the new security feature, which allows you to block access to Quick Settings. It can be found under Settings > Security & Privacy > Device Unlock or Settings > Display & Touch > Lock screen. This pathway may differ slightly, depending on which Android device you use.
How does this help?
The fact that Google is closing this security loophole in Android is a good thing for two reasons. If your phone falls into the wrong hands, the thief could try to connect to it via Bluetooth and install malware. To do this, however, Bluetooth would first need to be enabled, which is possible via Quick Settings.
Second, if the phone’s owner wants to locate their missing device, they’ll need to use ‘Find Hub’ and their mobile data. But if the thief disables mobile data via Quick Settings, they’re locked out.
Handily, other functions in the device’s Quick Settings remain available, such as the torch, Eye Comfort Mode and other features that aren’t related to security.
So far, this new feature is only available to participants in the Android 17 QPR 3 Beta 2 programme. Anyone with a newer Google Pixel smartphone can try it out at any time. In future, however, the feature will be rolled out to all devices with Android 17.
To find out exactly which smartphones these are, read our overview article: Android 17 is here and these phones will get the update.
Read next: 5 minutes is all you need to secure your Android phone from theft.
