With each Android update, the Google adds a host of new features and adaptation on the platform. And while Android 16 has not made any major changes (yet), it bundles many important new security features that you should take a look at ASAP.
What is advanced security in Android 16?
With Android 15, Google added several new security features to its operating system, including new Android anti-thft tools and on-device spam detections for pixel phones-but these settings were buried deeply and thus it was difficult to find most people. Advanced protection mode of Android 16 brings all those features (Plus some more) at the forefront.
When this mode is enabled, your Android device enters a high-protection mode: USB access is discontinued when locked, scam detection is increased, app install is prevented from unknown sources, old networks like 2G are disabled, and even more secure is safe with your browsing board.
This setup protects you from targeted attacks, harmful apps, online dangers and data risks, with every layer that works quietly in the background. While it may look a bit exaggerated-Google says This feature is made for high-risk users such as journalists, politicians and activists-one people can still benefit from these privacy settings.
How to enable and use advanced security on Android
Enabling advanced security on Android 16 is straightforward and takes only one minute:
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Make sure your device is updated in Android 16. You can check the software version of your phone Settings> About Phone> Android Edition,
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In the settings app, go to security and privacy,
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Scroll down and tap Advanced protection,
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Togle the switch to enable the mode.
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Return your device when all the safety is motivated to activate.
Once capable, your Android device goes into full security and privacy mode. In addition to activating anti-fisheries against spam and fraud and on-device safety of Google, it also neutralizes the side loading to the apps on your device. It enables Google Play Protect if it had disabled, as one of the main malware-drunken dangers on Android is through APKS-This setting puts a difficult step on it.
This will not allow a factory reset until the device is unlocked for the first or 72 hours, making the stolen phone very less valuable for the thieves. The USB connections for a computer or external drive are blocked until the phone is unlocked.
However, the best thing about advanced safety mode is that it moves silently in the background without slowing down your phone or bombing with alert. This is simply locked in some of some of the best safety Android – some new people – and ensure that they do not matter.
Other major security facilities to enable right now
If you do not want to enable advanced safety mode, but are still interested in taking advantage of some of its characteristics, then you should know about a couple of new safety devices Android 16 adds to your device.
Scam
Scams and frauds are becoming increasingly smarter. Thankfully, finding in messages and phone apps is now stronger than before in Android 16, with the new on-device AI model that appear on-screen before flagging suspected texts and robocols. The system can also filter these messages and call automatically, accidentally reduce the risk of some malicious tap.
Google Play Protect
Android’s built-in play protect has also received a major upgrade. It can now scan the real-time scanning of apps during installation (even sideloaded) and destroys apps that misuse sensitive permissions. All this happens locally, so your data is not sent to the cloud to check the malware.
Android 16 prevents sensitive information from showing on your lock screen
Another important upgrade in Android 16 is how it handles the one -time password. These are part of almost every login or payment flow these days, but instead of displaying them immediately on the lock screen, the system now uses the relevant intelligence to decide when it is safe to show when they are safe.
If your phone is locked for some time or is offline, sensitive messages such as OTP and banking alerts are automatically hidden. Thus you have to unlock the device to see them.
More secure mobile network settings
Mobile network settings have also been revised. Android 16 now contains alerts for fake cell towers (often called stingre or IMSI cators) that can intercept calls or texts. In addition, you can manually disable the 2G network on your phone to reduce the contact with the old, unsafe network protocols. Is buried security CenterBut it is a meaningful switch to flip.
While Android 16 has not distributed the key features that we were expecting overall, it brings an important under-hood upgrade for privacy and security. But this is not all. Google is also working on a major new UI refresh for Android 16 with 3 expressives, which is expected to roll out with the next Android 16 update with the Pixel 10 series launch in late August.
