Android 17 makes it more difficult for malicious individuals to guess and break the PIN on your device.

      Thieves are limited to 20 attempts before the door closes.

      Shikhar Mehrotra / Digital Trends

      Google aims to enhance the security of Android 17. The company has previously indicated that Android 17 will limit the number of attempts to guess a PIN or password, along with implementing longer waiting periods after failed attempts.

      A detailed analysis by Mishaal Rahman has provided clarity on the extent of these changes.

      The previous system allowed too many failures

      Shikhar Mehrotra / Digital Trends

      Previous Android versions permitted significantly more failed unlock attempts over time. For instance, Android 16 allowed up to 10 guesses within the first minute, 20 within six minutes, 50 in 25 minutes, 110 over 24 hours, and a staggering 1,800 attempts over five years.

      Android 17 significantly narrows this scope. The updated limits now permit only six attempts in the first minute, seven within six minutes, eight in 25 minutes, 12 within 24 hours, and 19 over five years. After reaching 20 incorrect attempts, the device will cease to accept further guesses.

      A stolen phone paired with a weak PIN and sufficient time can be a dangerous mix, particularly if the attacker is familiar with personal details such as birthdays, anniversaries, or common numerical patterns. The forthcoming major Android update will drastically shorten the guessing timeframe.

      Protection for legitimate users as well

      Google

      However, this increased security might also pose a risk of stricter lockouts, potentially inconveniencing legitimate users. To mitigate this issue, Android 17 implements duplicate-guess detection. If you mistakenly input the same wrong PIN multiple times, Android will recognize it as a duplicate and not count it as a new failed attempt. The lock screen will display clear messages to prevent users from being confused by countdowns or unsure why the device is rejecting additional entries.

      Modern smartphones store banking applications, saved passwords, passkeys, private conversations, photos, location histories, and two-factor authentication messages. If someone gains access to the lock screen, the consequences can be quick and severe. Therefore, while some may express dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of significant updates in Android 17 compared to Android 16, it is reassuring that security enhancements remain a priority.

      Vikhyaat Vivek is a technology journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience in consumer hardware coverage.

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