- Google is making its “Identity Check” anti-theft feature more convenient by integrating it with smartwatch proximity.
- This allows users to use their PIN or password as a fallback to biometrics, even outside a trusted location, as long as their watch is nearby.
- Expected to land in a future Android 16 quarterly release, the feature may only work with the Google Pixel Watch 3 and newer models.
Android offers a number of optional theft protection features that help secure your personal data if a thief snatches your phone. One of those features, Identity Check, stops thieves from performing sensitive actions like accessing your saved passwords in Google Password Manager. It works by forcing biometric authentication when your device is outside of a trusted location. This ensures that even thieves who peek over your shoulder to watch you enter your PIN can’t get very far on your device.
If you value your data, it’s highly recommended you turn on Identity Check. The downside to doing so, though, is the inconvenience it can cause. Every time you want to access certain settings or services, you’ll need to scan your finger or face. While this is usually faster than entering a PIN, pattern, or password, there are scenarios where that’s not the case.