Upcoming security feature on Galaxy phones will become headache for thieves

Google consistently keeps upgrading Android with features, which, when someone steals your device, keep them from accessing it, protect your data, and help you find it. Last year, the brand introduced Theft Detection Lock for Android. When a person snatches your phone from your hand and it is unlocked, this feature automatically recognises that and locks the phone to prevent the thief from using it. Well, the brand is now preparing the OS for another very useful security feature.

Google has listed the change log for the upcoming April 2025 Google Play System update for Android. Among other things, it prepares the OS for a future feature that will automatically restart the device if it stays locked for three consecutive days. Once the phone restarts, it goes into the Before First Unlock (BFU) state, where it encrypts the data and asks the user to enter the passcode to enable biometrics, which, if a thief steals your device, makes it harder for them to access it.

At the moment, there’s no information about when Google will start rolling out the April 2025 Google Play System update and when Samsung devices will get it. Many Galaxy smartphones are still running the February 2025 release of the Google Play System. 

Once again, even if you get the update, you won’t get the feature, because it only prepares the OS for the upcoming feature. It doesn’t offer the feature. Google hasn’t said when it will release the feature. Apple has offered a similar feature to iPhone with iOS 18.1.