Google is taking a bold step to fight smartphone theft by reinforcing Android’s Factory Reset Protection (FRP). This update, announced after the Android Show: I/O Edition, is designed to make it nearly impossible to repurpose or sell a stolen device—even if the thief attempts a factory reset.
What Google’s new anti-theft system will do
The current Factory Reset Protection feature generates a secure key when a Google Account is added, storing it separately from user data. This prevents unauthorized reactivation after a factory reset. However, past versions had loopholes that allowed bypassing the setup wizard or reconfiguring devices without ownership verification.
Google now wants to close those gaps entirely. The new version of FRP introduces a system-wide soft lock that disables all device functions if the setup wizard is avoided or authentication fails. Thieves will face a persistent lock screen message requiring the previous screen lock or account credentials, preventing any meaningful use or resale of the device.
Why this matters for Android security
This change represents one of the most aggressive anti-theft efforts yet by Google, mirroring Apple’s long-standing Activation Lock. With the updated FRP, users will gain stronger assurance that their stolen phone is unusable in criminal hands. The change is especially impactful given Android’s vast global market and higher theft vulnerability due to its open ecosystem.
Google has confirmed the new FRP system will roll out later this year, likely as part of an upcoming Android 16 quarterly platform update. With this, selling stolen Android devices will no longer be profitable, helping deter theft at the source.