Android is getting a new security feature via Google Play services v25.14: If your device has been locked and unused for 3 consecutive days, it will now automatically reboot to protect your data. This update applies to most Android phones and tablets, without requiring a full OS upgrade.
The auto-restart returns the device to its Before First Unlock (BFU) state, where all data is fully encrypted and inaccessible until a passcode is entered. This offers stronger protection than the After First Unlock (AFU) state, when biometric logins and app access are enabled. The feature is inspired by similar efforts in GrapheneOS and Apple’s iOS 18.1 (Inactivity Reboot).
The update is rolling out now but may take a few weeks to activate. Google hasn’t yet confirmed which Android versions are fully supported or if there will be user-facing settings or reboot alerts, but the security boost is already drawing praise from privacy advocates.
[…] has confirmed that the auto-restart security feature seen in the latest Google Play Services 25.14 is not yet live. While initially spotted in […]