Google tests RCS indicator update and Android 15 strengthens factory reset protection

Key Points:

1. Google Messages Update: Testing new RCS status labels for clearer messaging.
2. Android 15 Security: Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is tougher to bypass.
3. Stronger FRP: New restrictions prevent unauthorized access after resets.

Google is making changes to how users see message types in its Messages app and tightening security on Android devices with its latest Android 15 update.

Google Messages Tests RCS Label Change

Google is experimenting with a new way of labeling messages in its Messages app. Right now, when you send a message, it shows either “Text message” or “RCS message.” RCS stands for Rich Communication Services, which allows more advanced features like higher-quality media and encryption.

In this new test, the labels are shorter: “RCS” for RCS chats and “Text” for regular SMS messages. This update makes the labels more concise, but some users have pointed out that the use of parentheses around “(RCS)” or “(Text)” looks unnecessary and could be simplified further. This test is still being rolled out to a limited number of users, with more changes like a colorful send button already appearing for some.

Android 15 Enhances Factory Reset Protection (FRP)

When it comes to security, Android 15 introduces stronger protections against phone thieves. One of the biggest risks after a phone is stolen is that the thief could try to reset the phone to sell it. Android’s Factory Reset Protection (FRP) makes this difficult by requiring the original Google account to unlock the device after a reset.

However, clever hackers have found ways to bypass this protection in the past. With Android 15, Google has added new security measures to make it much harder for thieves to get around FRP. Here’s what’s new:

1. No Bypassing Setup: Thieves can’t skip the setup process to avoid signing in with the original Google account.
2. Lock Screen and Apps Disabled: After a reset, the phone won’t allow setting a new lock screen PIN, adding another Google account, or installing apps until the original account is signed in.
3. Secret Key Verification: Android 15 now stores a special key in a secure part of the phone’s memory. If the phone is reset without permission, the phone will ask for this key when it restarts, which can only be unlocked by signing into the original Google account.

These changes make it almost impossible for thieves to sell or reuse stolen Android phones. Google is also allowing phone manufacturers to add their security layers on top of this, making Android phones even more secure in future updates.

In summary, Google is testing more user-friendly updates to messaging and has made major improvements to phone security in Android 15, making it far harder for thieves to bypass critical protections.

Source/Via