Google introduced a series of safety features in an attempt to combat thieves stealing data on stolen phones, with one of them being Identity Check. In the unfortunate event your phone is stolen, it prevents thieves from accessing sensitive apps and your data, even if they know the passcode.
Pixel phones have had the Identity Check feature since the December 2024 Pixel feature drop, and Samsung’s phones with its One UI 7 update. With Android 16, this will be made accessible to a wider range of devices. While other manufacturers have not confirmed if it will feature on their phones, Android Authority claims it’s currently available on the OnePlus 13 through a beta version of the update.
Identity Check is located in the Settings, by tapping on “Google” and going to the “Theft Protection” option. When enabled, a user’s biometrics will be required to allow changes to be made to critical security settings, or to gain access to sensitive data such as saved passwords. Passwords, PIN, or patterns will not be permitted in lieu of the biometrics. The feature will only be enforced if the device is outside the user’s designated trusted location.
The Identity Check feature was first made available on the QPR1, the first quarterly release of the Android 15 update. As the Android 16 will incorporate changes from both this and the QPR2, device manufacturers would likely implement it, making it more widely accessible. It will not be enabled by default, so users are advised to manually check for it after updating their phones once said update becomes available.
(Source: Android Authority)
Manisha Dharmendra contributed to this article.
