Android's New Trick: Forced Reboots for Security

Android is rolling out a fresh security upgrade. This update will make phones and tablets reboot automatically. This will happen if they haven't been unlocked for a few days. The goal is to boost security. It will be harder for others to access your data. This feature is part of the latest Google Play services update. It will affect both phones and tablets. However, it will not apply to other devices like cars, TVs, or smartwatches. The reboot is not a full reset. It won't erase your data or settings. Instead, it puts the device in a "Before First Unlock" state. This state encrypts your data files. It also disables biometric logins. You will need to enter your PIN to unlock the device fully. This is similar to a feature Apple introduced in iOS 18. 1. Apple's feature restarts the device after four days of inactivity. The update is expected to roll out soon. It might take a week or two for all devices to receive it. It's unclear if users will get a notification about the reboot. However, Android already shows a message on the PIN screen. This message tells users to enter their passcode after a reboot. This new feature raises some questions. Will it be useful or annoying? Will it actually improve security? Only time will tell. For now, users should be aware of this change. They should also consider how it might affect their device use.