4 security features I always set up on every new Android phone
Android Authority • • technology
Key Points:
- Android phones come with many built-in security features, but users should manually verify or enable key settings for optimal protection, such as Find Hub, theft protection, and SIM locks.
- Find Hub, automatically enabled with a Google account, helps locate lost or stolen phones using crowdsourced Android device networks, even when the phone is offline.
- Theft protection features include Identity Check to secure Google accounts, Offline Device Lock to prevent unauthorized access when offline, and Failed Authentication Lock to lock the phone after multiple failed attempts.
- Advanced Protection, introduced in Android 16 and disabled by default, offers enhanced security by combining multiple protections like Inactivity Reboot, blocking 2G networks, safe browsing, and phishing link detection, though it restricts sideloading apps.
- Setting up a SIM lock adds security by requiring a PIN for SIM card use, and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on important accounts, especially Google, is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and control over the device.