My stolen Pixel revealed Google is missing a simple anti-theft feature
Source: Android Authority
My stolen Pixel 7 Pro
Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
I’ve been using a Pixel 7 Pro as my primary phone since 2022, and I didn’t have any immediate plans to upgrade. Unfortunately, I left my bag unattended while swimming at a crowded beach. Goodbye, Pixel phone.
I tried to track the stolen phone via Find Hub, but I quickly gave up when I realized that my Pixel has a key security limitation. I really hope Google and other Android OEMs address this problem.
Would you like Pixels to require a PIN to turn them off?
153 votes
Theft protection is good, but finding my stolen phone is better
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
As soon as I got home, I tried to track my stolen Pixel 7 Pro, but the phone didn’t show up in Find Hub. The thieves could turn off the phone without entering a PIN, disabling my ability to track it. This is a glaring oversight. Android’s recent anti‑theft protection features are great for preserving user data, but I also want a chance of locating the device.
Google isn’t alone. Global Xiaomi phones and presumably other brands can also be turned off without a PIN. Users on Google’s Pixel Community forum have requested this feature many times. Google product experts have argued that it wouldn’t be effective because thieves can place phones in metal containers or RF‑shield bags, but some thieves may not think of those measures.
Power‑off verification on other brands
| Brand | Toggle name | Location in Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing | Power Off Verify | Settings → Security and Privacy |
| OPPO / realme / OnePlus | Require password to power off | Settings → Security and Privacy |
| Samsung | Part of Lock network and security | Settings → Lock screen and AOD → Secure lock settings |
| vivo | Unlock to Power Off | Settings → Security and Privacy |
The implementation varies—some OEMs (e.g., Samsung, vivo) don’t require a PIN if the phone is already unlocked—but it’s still better than having no toggle at all.
A potential downside: the device can still be forced to restart by holding the power button and a volume key for about 10 seconds. This restarts the phone rather than permanently turning it off, and the combo is useful for unfreezing a frozen device.
Overall, Google lags behind many smartphone makers by not offering this feature. While Pixels have a variety of exclusive features and stock Android has narrowed the gap to other Android skins, there’s still work to be done.
Google does have an ace up its sleeve (on newer phones)
Joe Maring / Android Authority
The last three generations of Pixel phones can be tracked while powered off. In theory, this is a fantastic inclusion, giving a chance to locate a stolen device even after it’s turned off. Unfortunately, the Pixel 7 series doesn’t support this feature, so a Power Off Verify option would have been a valuable fallback.
Colleague Rita El‑Khoury wasn’t impressed with powered‑off tracking either; the device location often failed to update (source).
Other OEMs have been slow to adopt powered‑off tracking. Notable phones that do support it include the realme GT8 Pro, OnePlus 13 and newer, and Xiaomi 15 series and later. Samsung and Nothing, however, do not appear to support this option.
I still hope Google brings a Power Off Verify feature to both old and new Pixels. It’s too late for my Pixel 7 Pro, and while it wouldn’t guarantee recovery, it would add another layer of security against thieves and mischief‑makers alike.