Android Devices to Restart Automatically After 72 Hours: Google Rolls Out New Security Feature

In iOS 18.1 last year, Apple added a new security mechanism known as "inactivity reboot." This function automatically restarted iPhones after 72 hours (3 days) of inactivity.  Google is now providing a similar functionality to Android smartphones with an upgrade to Google Play Services (version 25.14).If a phone has not been unlocked in three days, it will restart automatically. While Android Auto, WearOS, and Android TV users will not see this functionality, it is expected to arrive to Android smartphones and tablets soon.

This auto-reboot option can be beneficial for both security and performance purposes.It helps to prevent unauthorised access to unused devices. For example, if someone attempts to access a locked phone after it has restarted, they will be barred until the device has been properly unlocked.This feature created controversy last year when law enforcement found it more difficult to obtain data on suspects' iPhones due to automatic reboots.

Security experts, including the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), advocate rebooting your phone at least once every week.Why? Because when a phone is restarted but not unlocked (known as the "Before First Unlock" or BFU state), the data is more secure and difficult to access.

Regular reboots also assist to patch problematic apps, enhance performance, and protect against significant threats like as zero-day exploits. Even powerful malware like Pegasus used such loopholes to infect phones.

In short, this functionality is a modest but significant step towards making your smartphone safer and more functional.

This article is based on information from The Indian Express