Do This to Stop Your Android Phone From Forced Restart

 The most alarming aspect of having your device stolen is not the financial burden of purchasing a replacement, but rather the anxiety of unauthorized access to your personal information. Fortunately, Android devices are set to receive a new security enhancement that will significantly mitigate this risk. 

Your Android Device Will Now Automatically Reboot After Three Days of Inactivity

 As initially reported by 9to5Google, Android is introducing a new security feature that will compel your device to reboot automatically if it remains locked for a continuous period of three days. This feature is included in the April update for Google Play services and can be located in the Security & Privacy section: Each time your Android device reboots, it enters a Before First Unlock (BFU) state. This security state is activated before you input your PIN, during which all data on your device is encrypted and rendered inaccessible. In this state, biometric unlocking methods such as Face ID or fingerprint recognition are disabled, requiring you to either enter your PIN or use a pattern to unlock your device, if applicable.

You may have observed a notification stating 'Unlock for all features and data' on your Android device following a reboot, which is precisely what will occur during this security state. Given that the release notes for Google Play services specifically reference 

'Phone,' it is presumed that this feature will also be applicable to tablets, while categories such as Auto, PC, TV, and Wear are likely to be excluded. When a feature of this nature is introduced, a common inquiry is whether triggering it will result in the complete loss of your data. Rest assured, it will not. This feature is fundamentally different from a 'device reset,' and your applications, files, and settings will remain unaffected. The reboot merely restarts the device to establish a more secure state, ensuring that access is restricted until you unlock it yourself.

This recent Android feature is not particularly innovative, as Apple previously introduced a similar function in iOS 18.1, known as inactivity reboot, which prompts iPhones to restart after four days of inactivity. This resemblance is quite apparent. Unfortunately, Google has not provided extensive information,

 leaving it uncertain whether this feature will be available on select Android devices or universally, nor is there clarity on the release date for the Google Play services 25.14 update. Furthermore, it remains unclear if this feature will be activated by default for all users or if there will be an option to opt in or out. Nevertheless, it is certainly a welcome addition.