In today’s world, where our phones basically hold our entire lives, security has become really essential. Google seems to be taking a step to take security and privacy to the next level with a new feature in Android 16. The Android 16 Beta 4 is introducing Advanced Protection Mode, which is here to improve the security of all phones. 

What is Advanced Protection Mode?

Google is planning to introduce a new feature aimed at tightening security for its users called the Advanced Protection Mode. This mode brings high-level security protocols like blocking sideloading of shady apps, preventing connections to sketchy 2G networks, and enabling tighter memory protections using MTE (Memory Tagging Extension). It is just like an added layer of defense to improve security and protect users from malicious attacks.

Under the Network and Wi-Fi settings, it blocks insecure connections such as 2G and WEP. Web Protection helps safeguard users from malicious websites. Along with this there are also sideloading restrictions and Google Messages and Phone get an added layer of shielding to protect users from spam and scams.

To top it all off, there’s also a Device Theft section that can remotely lock your phone if it’s lost, misplaced, or stolen. This makes it much harder for thieves to access your private information. Right now, Google Messages and Phone are the only apps that have support for the Advanced Protection API, but developers can integrate their own features too. 

This move by Google is a big step forward, especially since one of the biggest criticisms of Android has always been its security compared to iOS. But with this new mode, Google is clearly working to make its OS as secure as anything else out there.

Android 16 is shaping up to be the most secure version yet and this feature alone could be a game-changer for privacy-conscious users.