This Google Update Means Your Android Device Will Auto-Restart If Left Untouched For Three Days

Android smartphones will soon reboot automatically if left locked for three consecutive days. This new security feature is included in the latest Google Play Services update (version 25.14). The move is part of Google’s efforts to make user data harder to access in case of loss or theft.

The latest Google Play Services update states the security feature ensures that your device will automatically restart “if locked for three consecutive days". Users must re-enter their passcode to regain access.

The update is currently rolling out and will be applied to Android phones and tablets, though it won’t affect devices running Android Auto, Wear OS or Android TV, according to a report in 9to5Google.

A report in GSMArena added that the feature would work by returning the phone to its ‘Before First Unlock’ state, following the reboot. In this state, the device remains encrypted and far more secure, as biometric authentication methods like fingerprint or facial recognition won’t be available until the passcode is manually entered.

As noted on Pixel devices, this is when the lockscreen displays the message, 'unlock for all features and data'. This is different from the ‘after first unlock’ state, where data is more accessible due to the initial passcode entry, stated the GSMArena report.

While the rollout of version 25.14 is expected to take about a week, the auto-restart function may take a little longer to be fully enabled across all eligible devices.

Google is yet to provide further clarification on which Android versions are compatible or whether users will have the option to disable or adjust this setting.

Apple had introduced a similar security measure — the ‘inactivity reboot’ — in iOS 18.1, which restarts locked iPhones after four days of inactivity.

Along with the new security feature, the latest Google Play services update brings a few other improvements. Users can now preview content before accepting a Quick Share transfer on their phone. There’s also an updated user interface for usage and diagnostics, providing a smoother experience. Setting up a new phone and transferring data from an old device has been simplified, making the process more user-friendly.