Android smartphones receive a new security feature that iPhone users already possess.

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      Google is adopting a strategy reminiscent of Apple by introducing a new security feature that will cause Android phones to automatically restart after several days of inactivity.

      The auto-restart feature (or auto-reboot, as it may be referred to) has been incorporated into the latest update of Google Play services, released on Monday. According to the release notes, this update will trigger your Google Pixel 9, Samsung Galaxy S25, or other Android devices to restart themselves “if locked for [three] consecutive days.” Consequently, users will need to input their PIN code to unlock the phone after such a period of non-use. This is similar to iOS 18.1’s Inactivity Reboot feature, with the key distinction being that iPhones restart after four days.

      When your phone reboots after three days of inactivity, it enters its Before First Unlock (BFU) state, which is similar to the state experienced when starting up a new device. In the BFU state, your phone encrypts your data and deactivates all biometric logins, such as fingerprints and facial recognition, until the PIN code is entered. This feature enhances security by making it difficult for unauthorized individuals to access sensitive information if the phone is stolen.

      The auto-restart feature on Android echoes an Apple security update from February that addressed a vulnerability allowing hackers to access data from locked iPhones using a USB drive, to which Google responded with a similar update two weeks later. This functionality is particularly advantageous for activists, journalists, and others at risk of government scrutiny and unauthorized surveillance, rather than those simply taking a break from their phones as part of a digital detox.

      The new security feature is applicable to Android phones and tablets but will not function on Auto, PC, TV, and WearOS devices. However, the launch timeline and the specific devices that will receive this feature remain unclear.

      Cristina Alexander is a gaming and mobile writer at Digital Trends, providing balanced coverage of topics related to the gaming industry...

      Experiencing a Google Play services error? You’re not the only one

      If you've received a notification from Google Play Services prompting you to install an update but are unable to locate it, don’t worry; you're not alone. The error message indicates that several official Google apps will not function without an update through the Play Store, yet no update is available. This issue appears to be impacting many users, prompting a discussion on social media for solutions. Tipster CID (@theonecid) has reported encountering the same error, which has been confirmed by various other sources. The root cause of the bug is unclear, but it seems to affect users on both the stable and beta versions of Play Services.

      Read more

      Android 16 will introduce a useful productivity feature for desktop users

      It appears that Android 16 will include a feature that enables users to record their screen activities on an external monitor. This expands on a feature from Android 15 that allows users to take screenshots of external monitors connected to Android devices. As noted by Android Authority, Android 16 Beta 3 introduces a third option in the screen recording menu called “Record HDMI Screen,” operating in the same manner as recording the device's display, while encoding and saving the resulting video similarly.

      Read more

      Oppo’s upcoming phone features a capability surpassing the iPhone 16 Pro

      Oppo's upcoming compact flagship phone, confirmed as the Oppo Find X8s, is nearing its launch. The company has been actively highlighting its advancements compared to competitors and recently showcased its display improvements over other devices, including one feature that outshines the iPhone 16 Pro. The Oppo Find X8s is said to have exceptionally thin bezels on all four sides of its display. Zhou Yibao, the product manager for Oppo's flagship Find series, shared a comparison image on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, showing the bezels of the upcoming compact phone—previously rumored to be called the Find X8 Mini—against those of what appears to be an iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max.

      Read more