Important points
- Google is working on an upcoming ID check feature that will force biometric authentication to access important settings and apps.
- This feature is an additional layer of defense against theft and ensures that knowing the passcode is not enough to access sensitive areas of your device.
- Identity Check also extends to Google Chrome, adding biometric security to password autofill, payment methods, sync settings, incognito mode, and more.
Google’s focus on security and privacy is evident in Android’s Theft Detection and Private Spaces features introduced 15 years ago. The former recognizes that a Pixel device has been taken from its owner’s hands and triggers a lockdown to prevent unauthorized access. The latter is similar to Samsung’s Secure Folder and essentially allows you to hide sensitive apps so they don’t appear in your regular apps list.
Joining the two new features is a tool called Next Tools. Identity verificationas its name suggests, provides an extra layer of security by requiring biometric authentication to access important settings, and works in conjunction with important applications such as Google Chrome.
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Identity Check will be available later this year and will prevent someone with unauthorized access to your Pixel device from accessing sensitive information on your device, even if they know your passcode. In a report for Android Authority, Mishaal Rahman details the upcoming feature, saying that when enabled, the feature will allow apps that typically allow authentication via passcodes, PINs, patterns, etc. He suggested that stronger biometric authentication would be needed. Or face.
So basically, if a shoulder surfer watches you enter your device passcode and then gains access to your device through theft or fraud, just knowing the passcode won’t allow him to access your device’s Google account settings or access your device. Not enough to access sensitive apps. This may include settings such as “change your PIN, disable anti-theft, and access your passkey from untrusted locations.”
ID checking also extends to Google Chrome
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In Rahman’s report, OS experts suggest that the feature will move beyond Android and be integrated into Google Chrome. Actions such as password autofill require biometric authentication in the browser. The findings echo those published in September by Chrome expert @Leopeva64, who said, “Chrome for Android will eventually require authentication before entering passwords. “It will become.”
Rahman confirmed that Chrome will indeed leverage Android’s identity checking to power its functionality, and that it is explicitly tied to the upcoming Android 15 QPR1 release. Code for this feature has been added to the browser’s password autofill feature, as well as code associated with payment methods, sync settings, and Incognito mode. It’s unclear at this time whether other Google apps are also building support for this feature.
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