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Google is reportedly preparing to integrate its ‘Advanced Protection Mode’ in the upcoming Android 16 OS update, which is expected to roll out early next year. Initially launched in 2017, this mode offers users an additional layer of security and accessibility to safeguard sensitive Google accounts from hacking attempts directly from their Android 16 smartphones.
Google’s Advanced Protection Mode was initially designed to protect high-profile accounts belonging to IT administrators, journalists, activists, and political figures. It requires users to sign in with a physical security key or passkey, providing an added defence against phishing and unauthorised access.
In addition, the mode restricts potentially harmful downloads from Google Chrome and blocks unverified apps from accessing Google account data.
In 2020, Google extended this protection to Android devices. Advanced Protection users on Android are barred from sideloading apps outside the Google Play Store and must always keep Google Play Protect enabled. The system also flags apps on the Play Store that still need to pass Google’s stringent security checks.
Google is reportedly enhancing the Advanced Protection Mode feature for the upcoming Android 16 release, as recent updates to the Android Open-Source Project (AOSP) Gerrit suggested. Android Authority reports seeing a newly submitted code change revealing plans to incorporate this security measure into the device’s Settings application, potentially streamlining user access and configuration.
The patch, which references an ‘Android Advanced Protection Mode’ service, indicates a move towards making this robust security option more readily available. Users may soon enrol in Advanced Protection directly from their phone’s settings, similar to how Live Location Sharing is currently managed.
Additionally, an API, ‘AdvancedProtectionManager#isAdvancedProtectionEnabled()’, is being deployed, allowing apps to determine if the user has enabled this feature.
Moreover, Google has added a SELinux policy for this service, ensuring that the operating system can more effectively handle the advanced security mode. These updates are expected to roll out with the Android 16 update, codenamed ‘Baklava,’ next year.
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