On Android 16? Your phone has 2 critical security upgrades – enable them ASAP

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Android 16 provides stronger default safety for all customers.
• Identification Examine helps block entry exterior trusted areas.
• Superior Safety shields towards apps, networks, and scams.

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Though Google’s earlier-than-expected launch of Android 16 was lacking a number of necessary options, the up to date OS delivers improved safety that each Android person could be nicely suggested to allow.

Additionally: How to clear your Android phone cache (and why it makes such a big difference)

I am going to clarify these two key safety features and discover and allow them.

1. Identification Examine

This function was added in 2024, however it did not obtain a lot consideration till the discharge of Android 16. What’s Identification Examine?

For instance you are away from dwelling (which you’ve got designated as a trusted location — extra on that in a bit). Whilst you’re gone, somebody features entry to your telephone and both goes to make adjustments to important safety settings or makes an attempt to entry saved passwords or different delicate data. As a result of the telephone is away out of your trusted location, when that individual tries to make these adjustments, biometric authentication will forestall them from accessing these options or knowledge.

Additionally: 7 simple things I always do on Android to protect my privacy – and why you should too

Here is the factor about Identification Examine: It is not straightforward to seek out. The easiest way to find the function is to open the Settings app and seek for “id examine.” As soon as on the Identification Examine web page, you’ll be able to allow the function (it must be enabled by default) and add a trusted location. As soon as you’ve got added a trusted location, biometrics will not be required for that exact place.

Personally, I’ve opted to not add a trusted place to make sure I get essentially the most out of my Pixel 9 Professional’s safety. That, in fact, is as much as you. Since I’m going by the mantra “higher protected than sorry,” I am going to decide out of any chance of bypassing safety.

2. Superior Safety

This new addition to Android brings collectively a number of robust safety measures to guard towards spy ware, malicious apps, insecure connections, and on-line threats.

While you allow Superior Safety (it is enabled by default), the next safeguards are enabled:

• Gadget security (protects towards misplaced, stolen, or confiscated telephones)
• Apps (protects towards reminiscence bugs and malicious apps)
• Networks (prevents insecure connections)
• Internet (protects towards unsafe web sites)
• Telephone by Google (protects towards spam calls)
• Google Messages (protects towards spam and scams)

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All the above safety occurs by merely enabling Superior Safety. You faucet the On/Off slider till it is within the On place, and your Android telephone is protected.

Yet one more factor: Account Safety

There may be, nonetheless, yet another factor you are able to do. On the identical Superior Safety web page, you will see an entry labeled “Account Safety.” Should you faucet that (after which authenticate), you’ll be able to allow Superior Safety on your Google account to safeguard you from focused on-line assaults. As soon as on the ensuing web page, faucet “Enroll in Superior Safety.”

And that is it. As soon as you’ve got enabled these options (and enrolled your Google account in Superior Safety), your data and telephone shall be higher protected towards hurt.

Additionally: Your Android phone’s most powerful security feature is off by default and hidden – turn it on now

I might extremely suggest utilizing each of those options as quickly as your telephone is upgraded to Android 16.

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