What to know about Android’s new Theft Protection tool for your lock screen
Showing your IMEI could make it easier to ID your lost phone, but it comes with security risks.
Google has recently rolled out an update that introduces a new Theft Protection tool for Android devices. This update, which affects phones running Android 12 or newer, makes device IMEI numbers accessible from the lock screen.
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity, a unique number meant to identify individual hardware units of mobile devices. When the option is activated, your phone's IMEI will appear in your emergency info, which can be accessed directly from the lock screen without the need to unlock the device. This feature is designed to make it easier to recover a lost or stolen phone, as anyone who finds your device can quickly confirm its ownership by viewing the IMEI.
However, this development also raises security concerns. Revealing a device's IMEI can potentially be a security risk, as it provides a unique identifier that could be used for malicious purposes if it falls into the wrong hands.
Fortunately, if you're not comfortable with this new feature, you have the option to opt out. This can be done in the device settings, allowing you to maintain the security of your IMEI number.
Written by urgent.news from Android Authority's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
