Android
Android 16’s New Security Boost: Easy protection for your phone
Keeping your online information safe can be tough, especially if you don’t want to just use two-factor authentication. Normally, you have to sift through different settings on each app or website to make sure they’re secure. This can be frustrating because not every app has the same security options, and finding them can be a headache.
To make this easier, Google is introducing a feature called “Enhanced Security” in Android 16. This feature lets you turn on top-level security with one click. This new security mode is an upgrade from Google’s earlier “Enhanced Security Program” started back in 2017, designed for people who might be targets for hackers. It makes you use a physical security key or a digital passkey to log into your Google account, blocks dangerous downloads, and prevents installing apps from places other than the Google Play Store.
With Android 16, this protection goes further by turning off 2G connections and using MTE, which helps apps spot and fix memory issues, giving even more safety to those who sign up. Android 16 also brings a new tool called “EnhancedSecurityManager”. This tool allows apps to see if you’re using the Enhanced Security feature. This means apps can automatically turn on extra safety measures for you. For instance, if you use an app like Signal, it could lock the screen or block screenshots automatically if you’re in the security program. Without this tool, you’d have to set these protections up by hand.
Right now, in Android 16’s early test version, you can’t use this new security mode yet. Even if you join the Enhanced Security Program, the phone doesn’t know about it. But Google is planning to fix this by adding a new “Enhanced Security” section in Google Play Services soon.
Once this is all setup, it’ll be interesting to see how many apps use this new tool to keep users safe. The success of this one-click security depends on apps adopting it. Still, it’s good to see Google stepping up to make Android 16 safer for everyone against scams and cyber threats.