Google releases its previously announced Identity verification function Today we're adding extra protection to “critical account and device settings” when you're not in a secure location.
If identity verification is enabled, you'll need to provide “explicit biometric authentication” to access certain account and phone settings, such as changing your PIN or turning off theft protection. You'll have to enable this feature in Settings and add trusted locations where you don't want biometric authentication enabled before using it. Google says the protection also extends to your Google Account or Samsung Account, making it difficult to change your password just because it has your phone.
Identity Check is now rolling out to Google Pixel devices running Android 15 and will arrive on Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI 7 “in the coming weeks”, which could coincide with the February 7 launch Galaxy S25. Other Android phone makers should get this feature later this year.
Along with the release of the identity verification feature, Google says its theft detection lock feature, which uses artificial intelligence to detect when your phone has been forcibly taken from you and lock the screen, is now fully implemented on devices running Android 10 and later versions. Both settings are definitely worth enabling if you have a phone that supports them.