Recent reports indicate that Google is enhancing the security features of Android 16 by introducing an inactivity reboot feature. This capability, discovered in a recent APK teardown, aims to automatically restart devices that have been locked for three consecutive days.
This feature is expected to be part of the Advanced Protection Mode, which will also include measures to block app sideloading and disable 2G connections. The Advanced Protection Mode has been in development for some time, and its goal is to bolster the security of Android devices significantly.
In addition to the inactivity reboot feature, this mode will incorporate memory tagging extensions, enhancing the overall security framework of the operating system. The teardown of the Google Play Services app unveiled a coding string that hints at the implementation of this feature.
The code suggests that if a device remains locked for three days, it will automatically restart, thereby offering an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access. This feature echoes a similar safety measure introduced by Apple in iOS 18.
Apple’s inactivity reboot also forces iPhones to restart after three days of being locked, thereby safeguarding user data from potential breaches. Interestingly, Apple wasn’t the first to introduce this feature, as the privacy-oriented GrapheneOS has long included an optional auto-reboot feature focused on security.
This operating system has even shortened its default reboot interval from 72 hours to 18 hours. Despite prior vulnerabilities reported for certain devices, the GrapheneOS approach emphasizes the importance of security for devices that are idle or locked.
Overall, the addition of an inactivity reboot feature in Android 16 is a positive development, marking a significant step towards enhancing the security of the Android ecosystem.
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