An anti-theft upgrade is coming to Android phones. Here's how to see if you have it

Your Android phone should receive an AI-powered anti-theft upgrade soon that helps keep your personal information safe. 

In May, Google teased a new Theft Detection Lock tool for Android phones. The feature senses a device’s motion — such as someone snatching a phone and then running, biking, or driving away — and immediately locks the screen, Google said.

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According to a Reddit post from Android journalist Mishaal Rahman, Theft Detection Lock is finally rolling out on a wider scale. “I just checked my Xiaomi 14T Pro and noticed that I have Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock but not Remote Lock,” he wrote. “Some Pixel users in the US tell me they have Remote Lock but not the other two.” Many users responded that they had some or all of the features.

You can see which of the features you have by going to your phone’s settings menu and searching for “anti-theft”.

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So, how does the theft detection feature work? Google explains that AI uses your phone’s gyroscope and accelerometer to watch for “common motion associated with theft”. Exactly what those motions are isn’t detailed, but it’s likely a quick jerk or jolt followed by rapid acceleration. If the tool detects those motions, it immediately locks your phone screen. 

The anti-theft detection tool is one of several security additions Google announced earlier this year to protect your data “before, during and after a theft”, including:

• Making it more difficult to factory reset a phone and set it up under a new account
• Private spaces to hide sensitive apps
• The ability to mark your phone as lost on Find My Device for easier tracking
• Automatic lock for excessive failed authentication
• The ability to lock your phone if it’s offline
• Remote lock, which lets you lock your phone’s screen using just your number and a quick security challenge

Also: Android 15 unveiled: Here are 8 exciting (or handy) features coming to your phone

Google will make the new tools available through a Google Play services update. Some features will only be available in Android 15.