Android 16 Update Will Make Stolen Phones Nearly Impossible to Use

Google is enhancing Android’s Factory Reset Protection (FRP) to make stolen phones even harder to use or sell.

This upgrade, expected later this year—likely in an Android 16 quarterly update—will detect if someone tries to bypass the setup wizard after a factory reset and force the phone to reset again. The device will remain locked until the previous owner’s Google account credentials or screen lock PIN/password/pattern are entered.

Currently, Android’s FRP requires verification after resets done via recovery mode or Find My Device to prevent unauthorized use. However, thieves have found ways to bypass the setup wizard, allowing limited use without proper authentication.

Android 15 improved FRP by blocking account addition, app installs, or new screen locks when bypassed. But the new update will take this further by disabling all functionality until the device is properly verified, even forcing multiple resets if necessary.

This stricter FRP aims to deter theft by making stolen Android phones effectively useless to thieves and reducing their resale value on second-hand markets. The protection key that enforces FRP remains intact after factory resets unless reset through the authenticated Settings menu, ensuring security.