Android users warned phone's 'most powerful feature' is turned off by default
Android users are being warned that the phone’s ‘most powerful feature’ is turned off by default.
This comes after the release of Android 16 by Google which, upon its early launch, was missing a few key features.
However, it did arrive with some new security settings that users should be aware of.
And one important switch up is the Advanced Protection feature which has a one-tap mode that enables strong security and privacy settings.
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But this isn’t switched on by default and instead you will need to enable it yourself on your device.
In order to do this, first make sure your phone has downloaded Android 16 as it will require this for the feature.
Then go to Settings followed by Security and privacy, and select Advanced Protection.
Turn it on with the toggle and, if prompted, restart your device.
To further strengthen the security on your phone, you can also opt to enroll your Google account.
To do that, go to Advanced Protection and sign in. From there, follow the instructions on the screen to enroll.
If you change your mind and want to unenroll then all you have to do is head to your Google account profile icon and select Manage your Google Account.
From there, click on Security and then Advanced Protection Program. Select Manage Advanced Protection and then click on Unenroll.
This isn’t the first time a tech giant has introduced tight security measures like this as Apple previously unveiled its Lockdown Mode.
Turning on this feature will increase the security defenses on your iPhone and will strictly limit certain functionalities.
This is done in order to reduce the amount of ways your phone could become vulnerable to a cyberattack.
According to Apple, the feature is an ‘extreme, optional protection that should only be used if you believe you may be personally targeted by a highly sophisticated cyberattack’.
As per a report by ZDNET, Ivan Krstić, who is Apple’s head of security engineering and architecture, described the Lockdown Mode as ‘a groundbreaking capability’.
He went on to say in a statement: “While the vast majority of users will never be the victims of highly targeted cyberattacks, we will work tirelessly to protect the small number of users who are.
“That includes continuing to design defenses specifically for these users, as well as supporting researchers and organizations around the world doing critically important work in exposing mercenary companies that create these digital attacks.”