Android 16 ramps up theft protection with stricter factory reset rules

Android 16 theft protection is getting a serious upgrade—and it’s about time. Factory Reset Protection (FRP) has been around for years, but it’s always had loopholes. Thieves found clever ways to sidestep it, especially on phones reset without permission. Google’s tightening things up in Android 16, and the changes could finally make stolen phones useless.

Android 15 already added some improvements to FRP. Even if someone gets past the setup screen, they still can’t add a new Google account, install apps, or disable FRP through Developer Options. The phone remains locked unless the original owner signs in with their Google account or enters their old screen lock code.

But now, in Android 16, FRP is getting even stricter. During The Android Show: I/O Edition, Google revealed that the system will “restrict all functionalities on devices that are reset without the owner’s authorization.” A screenshot shared during the event shows a warning screen that forces a factory reset and blocks access to the entire OS until the rightful owner verifies the device.

This is a step up from the current implementation, where stolen devices can sometimes still be used to make calls or access limited functions. With Android 16 theft protection, it sounds like the phone will be completely bricked unless the owner steps in.

One catch: this might not be part of the June launch. Based on how Google phrased it, the stricter FRP might only roll out with the first QPR (Quarterly Platform Release) later in the year. Even so, it’s a much-needed move. If this works as intended, it could finally kill the incentive to steal Android phones altogether.

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