Google has officially introduced its new Identity Check feature for Android phones that is designed to improve security for users.
This feature is available for select Android devices that adds an extra layer of protection, especially when your smartphone is accessed by someone else. The objective is to help prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data or change important settings on your phone.
How does it work
The Identity Check feature locks sensitive settings behind biometric authentication when outside of trusted locations. It uses biometric authentication methods such as facial recognition and fingerprints to ensure that only the device owner can get hold of critical data or alter sensitive settings.
“When you turn on Identity Check, your device will require explicit biometric authentication to access certain sensitive resources when you’re outside of trusted locations,” Google said.
Purpose of Identity Check feature
This feature adds an additional security measure that can prevent unauthorised access to the phone. This means that even if someone else gains access to your phone, they won’t be able to change settings without verifying their identity through biometric authentication.
This is an important safeguard because it ensures that if your phone is stolen or misplaced, only you (the rightful owner) can alter security settings or disable theft protection features.
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Compatible phones
Currently, the Identity Check feature is limited to Google Pixel phones running the Android 15 QPR1 stable version and select Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI 7. That means the recently launched Galaxy S25 series of smartphones will support this feature.
How to activate
Users with compatible phones can activate the feature by going to Settings > Google > All services > Theft protection > Identity Check.
For users with other devices, it’s expected that this update will expand to a wider range of Android smartphones in the coming months.
Activation of identity check when outside trusted locations
This new Identity Check feature gets triggered when your phone is located in a “trusted location.” Trusted locations are typically places you frequent, like your home or workplace. If someone attempts to break into your device in an untrusted location, such as a public place or someone else’s home, the Identity Check will require biometric authentication before they can make any changes to your phone.
When your phone is not in trusted locations, any attempt to alter critical settings — like changing device’s PIN or accessing Google’s Passkeys — will trigger a biometric authentication request. This is to ensure that only the rightful owner can make such sensitive changes, even if someone else has access to their password.
However, it is to be noted that this feature may be ineffective if the device is used in a trusted location, because someone else may still be able to break into the device without triggering the authentication requirements.
