A new feature included in Google Play Services could soon enable Android devices to automatically reboot if left idle for three days.
While potentially unexpected for some users, this auto-restart aims to strengthen device security. Upon reboot, Android requires the user to manually enter their PIN, disabling biometrics temporarily and making unauthorized access more difficult.
The reboot also resets the device to its most secure encryption state, known as Before First Unlock (BFU), where stored data is fully inaccessible. This enhancement could hinder data access by malicious actors or even law enforcement unless the device is unlocked quickly.
The feature, noted in Google's April 2025 system update, will apply to phones and tablets, but not to devices like Pixel Watches, Android Auto, or Android TVs.
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