Notebookcheck Logo

Google Identity Check announced as latest anti-theft feature for Android smartphones

Google unveils Identity Check. (Image source: Google)
Google unveils Identity Check. (Image source: Google)
Google has augmented its suite of device security features with Identity Check. It is rated to prevent the extraction of a user's personal and sensitive data from a stolen smartphone by locking them behind biometric authentication under certain conditions. Devices of the Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S25 series are first in line for the new feature.

One of the greatest risks of being able to keep various vital aspects of your life on your smartphone is that if that device gets stolen, the crucial data involved is potentially gone (and, worse, possibly up for sale) too. 

Google is working on making that less of a thing with various Theft Protection features for Android, the latest of which is Identity Check

It allows the user to set one or more "trusted locations" (such as the home), outside of which "critical" device assets such as passkeys, Google accounts or device PIN-changing procedures will require authentication via either a fingerprint scan or Face Unlock.

Biometric authentication will also be required to disable Identity Check itself outside of its designated safe zones.

Accordingly, should a smartphone be taken away from its owner, it may prevent anyone else from accessing its most valuable digital assets nonetheless.

There may be some unforeseen drawbacks and pitfalls to the new system, however, the mildest of which might include the added inconvenience in accessing certain data or features on one's smartphone depending on where one is.

Furthermore, it does not address the possibility that a user might be coerced or forced into using their biometrics to revoke Identity Check in any case.

In addition, Google did not specify whether it prevents the wiping or reset of a device in its new blog post.

The Mountain View giant has stated that its roll-out will start with smartphones of the Pixel series and One UI 7-eligible Samsung smartphones, with other Android 15 devices such as the OnePlus 13 to follow. 

Want to be first in line for Identity Check? The Pixel 9 is up to 22% off its normal $799 list price on Amazon right now.

Google previews Identity Check's UI - although it might differ from OEM to OEM. (Source: Google Blog)
Google previews Identity Check's UI - although it might differ from OEM to OEM. (Source: Google Blog)

Source(s)

Read all 1 comments / answer
static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
Mail Logo
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2025 01 > Google Identity Check announced as latest anti-theft feature for Android smartphones
Deirdre O'Donnell, 2025-01-26 (Update: 2025-01-26)