Images credit — 9to5Google
This update will apply to Android phones and tablets, but it won’t affect devices like Android Auto, TV, or smartwatches running Wear OS. Google hasn’t confirmed exactly when the feature will reach everyone, but Play services updates usually take a week or two to roll out across all devices. One thing that’s still unclear is whether users will get a notification explaining why their phone randomly restarted, though a PIN prompt after reboot should be the main giveaway.Interestingly, Apple recently introduced a nearly identical feature with iOS 18.1, which reboots iPhones after four days of being locked. While Apple and Google often go their own way with features, this is one example of both sides tightening up their security similarly.
It might seem like a small change, but this automatic reboot could have a big impact. Most people probably won’t even notice it, unless they forget about an old phone in a drawer and find it asking for a passcode days later. But that’s exactly the point. It’s one more way to make sure your data stays safe when your device isn’t in your hands. And with the way biometric unlocking is evolving, it’s smart to have a security fallback that only you can trigger.
