Anti-theft measure, Identity Check, rolling out on Pixel devices

Google is now rolling out a new safety feature to its Pixel phones, Identity Check. Identity Check is an anti-theft measure that requires users to use biometric authentication to change device settings when they are not in a trusted location.

If your handset is stolen and someone tries changing settings, the device will ask for biometrics—your face or fingerprint. You can set trusted places by putting a pin on your map.

These settings include:

• Access saved passwords and passkeys with Google Password Manager.
• Autofill passwords in apps from Google Password Manager, except in Chrome.
• Change screen lock, like PIN, pattern, and password.
• Change biometrics, like Fingerprint or Face Unlock.
• Run a factory reset.
• Turn off Find My Device.
• Turn off any theft protection features.
• View trusted places.
• Turn off Identity Check.
• Set up a new device with your current device.
• Add or remove a Google Account.
• Access Developer options.
• Change your password from [Google] account settings or through “Forgot password.”
• Add or change recovery factors on the device.

This feature was first tested in Brazil, where theft and pickpocketing have become more common, and is now rolling out more widely.

You can set it up when it’s available by using the Settings app > Security & Privacy > Device Unlock > Theft protection > Identity Check. You’ll need to be signed into a Google account and have a screen lock, biometrics, and trusted places on your device, as well as ‘Phone Number Verification.’

The feature is coming to Android 15 Pixel phones, and will also be available on Samsung devices running One UI 7 later this year.

Source: 9to5Google, Google Security Blog 

[sendtonews key=”RZls2K4V” type=”player”]