If you use an Android phone, there’s a new security feature you should know about. Your phone will now automatically restart if it has been locked for three days in a row. This update is part of Google’s efforts to improve the safety of your device and the data stored on it.
What does the update mean for you?
Google quietly rolled out a change to its Play services—a key part of the Android system that helps apps and the phone’s software run properly. In this update, under the “Security & Privacy” section, you’ll find a new option: “Will your device automatically restart if locked for three consecutive days?”
So, what does this mean in practice? If your Android phone hasn’t been unlocked in three days, it will restart. This might not seem a big deal, but it can help protect your personal information.
The move comes as part of a wider trend to improve mobile security. Apple introduced a similar feature for iPhones in 2023. The aim is to stop people – including those using forensic tools – from being able to break into a locked device.
Why an automatic restart helps protect your data
You might wonder how restarting a phone can boost security. It all comes down to how data is protected before and after a phone is unlocked. When your phone is turned on but hasn’t been unlocked, it is in what experts call a “Before First Unlock” state. In this state, most of the data on your phone is fully encrypted. Without your passcode, it’s nearly impossible to access anything meaningful.
But once you unlock the phone, it enters the “After First Unlock” state. In this state, some parts of the data become more accessible. Devices used by law enforcement and security professionals – such as those made by Cellebrite or Magnet Forensics – often try to exploit this state. They may attempt to guess your passcode repeatedly or take advantage of security flaws in the system.
By forcing the phone to restart after three days of being locked, Android makes it harder for anyone to access your data without your knowledge. Once the phone restarts, it returns to a more secure state, with the data locked down again.
No official comment from Google yet
Google has not yet shared why it introduced this feature. The update appeared as part of a quiet rollout with no detailed explanation, and when asked about the reasoning behind it, the company did not respond.
However, the intention seems clear. With increasing concerns about digital privacy and data protection, this is one more way to help keep your phone secure—especially if it’s lost, stolen, or unused for a while.
If you value security, this feature should give you extra peace of mind. It’s another step in making Android phones safer, and more changes like this will likely appear.
