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Google wants to make stolen Android phones basically unsellable | Google is upgrading Factory Reset Protection to make it even harder for thieves to sell stolen phones


Google is upgrading Factory Reset Protection in an upcoming Android 16 release to make it much harder for thieves to sell stolen phones.

During setup after such a reset, the wizard requires you to verify ownership by either signing into the previously associated Google account or entering the device’s former lock screen PIN, password, or pattern. This key is generated when you first add a Google account to the device and is only removed during a factory reset initiated through the Settings app, as this method requires you to authenticate with your screen lock first. Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is a valuable feature that discourages theft by rendering stolen Android phones useless to potential buyers if wiped improperly.

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