- Google is pushing a significant update to Android phones this week.
- Security is being prioritised, which is why devices will automatically reboot when locked for three days.
- Apple rolled out a similar feature for its devices last year.
This week, Google began pushing updates for Android phones, with a focus in particular on Google Play services.
One of the more notable features of the new update (Google Play services v25.14), centred around security and privacy, with it automatically rebooting a device if it is locked for three days.
More specifically, it, “enables a future optional security feature, which will automatically restart your device if locked for 3 consecutive days,” the release notes published by Google highlighted.
As for why such a feature is being added to the mix, it is aimed at making it more difficult for anyone trying to gain unauthorised access to your device. Per TechCrunch, such a feature would specifically address instances where law enforcement has tried to unlock a device without the consent of its owner.
The publication adds that this is a similar feature that Apple introduced for iOS devices last year, with several high-profile cases in the US over the past decade bringing into question the legality of law enforcement jailbreaking iPhones in order to access any data or evidence on them.
Now it looks like both iOS and Android phones have similar protections in place.
As for the rest of the update, Google noted the Play services features are aimed at offering:
- “New Features to help you discover the Apps & Games you love.
- Optimizations allowing faster and more reliable download and installation.
- Continuous improvements to Play Protect to keep your device safe.
- Various performance optimizations, bug fixes and improvements to security, stability and accessibility.”
[Image – Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash]
