What to know

  • Android 16 will expand the Identity Check security feature to more smartphones beyond Pixel and Samsung models.
  • Identity Check requires biometric authentication for sensitive actions when your device is outside trusted locations.
  • The feature will be available under Settings > Google > Theft Protection after updating to Android 16.
  • It aims to make it harder for thieves to access or change critical security settings and saved passwords.

Android 16 is set to introduce the Identity Check security feature to a wider range of smartphones later this year. Previously, this feature was only available on Google Pixel and select Samsung Galaxy devices. Now, with the upcoming Android 16 update, more users will be able to access this additional layer of protection on their devices, including models from other manufacturers such as OnePlus.

Identity Check is designed to protect your personal data if your phone is stolen or falls into the wrong hands. When enabled, the feature requires biometric authentication—such as a fingerprint or facial recognition—before allowing access to sensitive areas of your phone.

This includes viewing or changing saved passwords, modifying your device’s PIN, pattern, or password, and turning off security features like Find My Device. The requirement for biometrics is triggered only when your phone is outside of trusted locations you have set, such as your home or workplace.

Unlike standard security prompts, Identity Check does not allow fallback to PIN, password, or pattern if biometric authentication fails. This approach prevents thieves from bypassing security even if they know your unlock code. The feature is part of Android’s broader anti-theft suite, which also includes Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock, all found under Settings > Google > Theft Protection on supported devices.

The rollout of Identity Check to more devices is possible because Android 16 consolidates foundational security changes that require a full operating system update. Device manufacturers can now more easily implement the feature, provided their phones support secure biometric authentication. However, the feature will not be enabled by default. After updating to Android 16, you should check your settings to activate Identity Check manually.

This expansion comes as smartphone theft continues to rise, with criminals increasingly targeting devices for the sensitive financial and personal data they contain. By requiring biometrics for critical actions, Identity Check aims to make it much harder for unauthorized users to compromise your device or access your information, even if they manage to obtain your password or PIN.

Android 16’s broader rollout of Identity Check marks a significant step in improving smartphone security for millions of users worldwide, helping to keep personal data safer from theft and unauthorized access.

Via: Android Central