Google has introduced a new security feature in its Android operating system that automatically reboots a locked phone if it remains inactive for three consecutive days. The update, rolled out through Google Play services, is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance user privacy and data protection.
The new functionality is listed under the “Security & Privacy” section of Android’s settings and is designed to automatically restart the device if it remains locked and unused for 72 hours. The primary goal is to protect sensitive user data by maintaining the device in a more secure state — especially when the device is not in the user’s control.
This feature mirrors a similar update released by Apple for iOS last year. Both companies aim to address scenarios where a phone might be in the possession of someone attempting to extract its data using forensic tools. These include devices developed by companies like Cellebrite or Magnet Forensics, which are commonly used by law enforcement agencies.
The effectiveness of the new feature lies in how data encryption works on smartphones. When a phone is turned off or hasn’t been unlocked since its last boot, it is in the “Before First Unlock” state — a condition where user data remains fully encrypted and largely inaccessible without the correct passcode. After unlocking, however, the device transitions to the “After First Unlock” state, where some decrypted data may become more vulnerable to exploitation.
By ensuring that devices periodically reboot, even during prolonged periods of inactivity, Google hopes to reduce the time attackers have to access sensitive data in a less secure state. It’s a small but significant step in Android’s broader security strategy.
