Google is improving the Factory Reset Protection (FRP) feature on Android to further prevent stolen devices from being resold. The company unveiled this update at The Android Show: I/O Edition. With the upgraded FRP, a second factory reset will be required if any attempts to bypass the setup wizard are detected, making it more difficult for unauthorized users to use a stolen device.
The enhanced theft protection is an addition to Google’s Factory Reset Protection (FRP) and will be available with the release of Android 16. FRP is activated when you perform a factory reset on an Android device via the recovery menu or Google’s Find My Device service.
The upcoming FRP enhancement will ensure that stolen devices cannot be used until ownership is verified through either a Google account or the previous screen lock. This new feature is expected to be released later this year, potentially as part of an Android 16 Quarterly Platform Release (QPR).
After resetting the device, the setup process will prompt you to verify ownership by logging into the Google account linked to the device or entering the previous lock screen PIN, password, or pattern. If this verification fails, the setup cannot be completed, rendering the device unusable.
FRP helps deter theft by rendering stolen Android devices unusable if they are improperly wiped. However, it is not entirely secure, as criminals have developed various techniques over time to bypass the protection. These methods typically involve bypassing the setup process, enabling the thief to use the device without needing the original owner’s Google account credentials or lock screen information.
In Android 15, Google introduced several enhancements to FRP to make bypassing the setup process more difficult. For instance, even if someone manages to bypass the setup wizard, Android 15 prevents them from adding a new Google account or setting up a new screen lock. Most notably, bypassing the setup wizard or enabling the ‘OEM unlocking’ developer option no longer disables FRP.