Google has just launched Identity Check for Android 15 on Pixel devices, and it’s here to make phone thieves’ lives as miserable as your Monday mornings. Rolling out with Android 15 on Pixel devices, this feature adds a powerful layer of protection by requiring biometric authentication to access certain account and device settings, especially when you’re not at a trusted location like home or work.

According to Google, Identity Check is a response to the increasing threat of stolen devices being used to compromise sensitive data. “A stolen device in the wrong hands can expose sensitive data, leaving you vulnerable to identity theft, financial fraud, and privacy breaches,” the company explains in its blog post.

Protected settings include changing your device’s PIN, disabling theft protection, turning off Find My Device, factory resetting the phone, and altering biometric settings. By locking these actions behind biometric authentication, Google aims to prevent thieves from hijacking your accounts or erasing your device to resell it.

Identity Check first debuted in beta last year as part of the December Pixel Drop and will also make its way to Samsung Galaxy devices with One UI 7 in the coming weeks. Other Android devices are expected to get the feature later this year.

This move follows Apple’s introduction of a similar Stolen Device Protection feature, aimed at stopping thieves from exploiting stolen iPhones. With both tech giants focusing on enhanced security, it’s clear that protecting users from digital theft is more critical than ever.

What’s your take on this extra layer of security? Handy or overkill? Let us know!

[Via Korben.info]