Your Android phone's most powerful security feature is off by default and hidden - turn it on ASAP

What is Advanced Protection connected Android?

Advanced Protection groups respective information settings across six antithetic categories and puts them down a azygous switch. Turning that power connected locks the features truthful they cannot beryllium disabled individually, and it activates further protections.

Also: 6 underrated Android features that are earnestly utile (and however they've made my beingness easier)

Here's what it does, specifically, connected your device, according to Google:

Apps

• Google Play Protect: Always-on malware scanning that cannot beryllium turned off.
• Unknown apps: Blocks installs from extracurricular Google Play, including sideloading.
• Memory Tagging Extension (MTE): On supported devices, automatically enabled to halt representation corruption.

Device safety

• Theft detection lock: Locks your telephone aft a suspicious motion.
• Offline instrumentality lock: Locks automatically erstwhile the telephone goes offline.
• Inactivity reboot: Reboots aft 72 hours locked.

Messages

• Spam and scam protection: Filters and flags harmful texts.
• Unsafe links: Warns astir suspicious links from chartless senders.

Network

• 2G web protection: Prevents your telephone from connecting to insecure 2G networks (on supported devices).

Phone

• Caller ID and spam: Identifies fishy calls earlier you answer.
• Automatic Call Screen: In supported regions, Google's AI screens and declines spam calls automatically.

Web

• Safe browsing: Blocks phishing and malicious websites.
• Chrome HTTPS enforcement: Forces HTTPS whenever possible.
• JavaScript protections: Disables Chrome's JavaScript optimizer to trim onslaught risks.

Why isn't Advanced Protection enabled by default?

Some aspects, specified arsenic blocking sideloaded apps oregon automatically screening calls, whitethorn origin issues for definite users. So it's optional, adjacent though it offers stronger security.

Does Advanced Protection artifact sideloaded apps?

Yes. It blocks installations from chartless sources -- truthful you can't sideload apps extracurricular the Play Store portion it's enabled.

Will Advanced Protection dilatory down my phone?

You won't announcement overmuch difference. The biggest trade-offs are losing the quality to sideload apps and occasional issues with spam and telephone screening.

What precisely happens if my telephone is stolen?

If your telephone is stolen, Advanced Protection helps. It includes Theft Detection Lock, which automatically locks your telephone if it's grabbed from your manus oregon moved suddenly. It besides includes Offline Device Lock, which locks the instrumentality erstwhile it loses connection, and Inactivity Reboot, which forces a reboot if the telephone stays locked for 72 hours.

Do I request Google Account Advanced Protection?

Separate from the instrumentality toggle, Google Account Advanced Protection secures your online relationship (Gmail, Drive, Docs, and more).

Also: This Android instrumentality lets maine entree my telephone faster - here's however it works

It's an opt-in programme that requires stronger sign-in methods, specified arsenic passkeys oregon carnal information keys, and limits third-party entree to your data. Unlike Android's Advanced Protection, which focuses connected your telephone and section data, this programme protects your online relationship and information successful the cloud. For the highest level of security, particularly if you're astatine precocious risk, some are worthy enabling.