Your Android phone's most powerful security feature is off by default and hidden - turn it on ASAP

Source: ZDNet

What is Advanced Protection on Android?

Advanced Protection groups several security settings across six different categories and puts them behind a single switch. Turning that switch on locks the features so they cannot be disabled individually, and it activates additional protections.

Also: 6 underrated Android features that are seriously useful (and how they’ve made my life easier)

Apps

• Google Play Protect – Always‑on malware scanning that cannot be turned off.
• Unknown apps – Blocks installs from outside Google Play, including sideloading.
• Memory Tagging Extension (MTE) – On supported devices, automatically enabled to stop memory corruption.

Device safety

• Theft detection lock – Locks your phone after a suspicious motion.
• Offline device lock – Locks automatically when the phone goes offline.
• Inactivity reboot – Reboots after 72 hours locked.

Messages

• Spam and scam protection – Filters and flags harmful texts.
• Unsafe links – Warns about suspicious links from unknown senders.

Network

• 2G network protection – Prevents your phone from connecting to insecure 2G networks (on supported devices).

Phone

• Caller ID and spam – Identifies suspect calls before you answer.
• Automatic Call Screen – In supported regions, Google’s AI screens and declines spam calls automatically.

Web

• Safe browsing – Blocks phishing and malicious websites.
• Chrome HTTPS enforcement – Forces HTTPS whenever possible.
• JavaScript protections – Disables Chrome’s JavaScript optimizer to reduce attack risks.

Why isn’t Advanced Protection enabled by default?

Some aspects, such as blocking sideloaded apps or automatically screening calls, may cause issues for certain users. Therefore it remains optional, even though it offers stronger security.

Does Advanced Protection block sideloaded apps?

Yes. It blocks installations from unknown sources, so you can’t sideload apps outside the Play Store while it’s enabled.

Will Advanced Protection slow down my phone?

You won’t notice a significant difference. The main trade‑offs are the loss of sideloading capability and occasional issues with spam and call screening.

What exactly happens if my phone is stolen?

Advanced Protection includes:

• Theft Detection Lock – Automatically locks the phone if it’s grabbed or moved suddenly.
• Offline Device Lock – Locks the device when it loses network connection.
• Inactivity Reboot – Forces a reboot if the phone remains locked for 72 hours.

Do I need Google Account Advanced Protection?

Separate from the device toggle, Google Account Advanced Protection secures your online account (Gmail, Drive, Docs, and more). It requires stronger sign‑in methods such as passkeys or physical security keys and limits third‑party access to your data.

Also: This Android trick lets me access my phone faster – here’s how it works

Both the device‑level Advanced Protection and Google Account Advanced Protection are worth enabling for the highest level of security, especially if you’re at high risk.