Android is getting a major security addition via ‘Auto Restart’

Google is enhancing Android security with a simple, practical new feature delivered via a Google Play Services update. Soon, your Android phone or tablet will automatically restart itself if it remains locked and unused for three consecutive days. This proactive measure should help shore up data protection on devices that might be left unattended for extended periods.

The details emerged in the release notes for Google Play Services version 25.14, which explicitly states: “[Phone] With this feature, your device automatically restarts if locked for 3 consecutive days.” While labeled “Phone,” this functionality is expected to extend to Android tablets as well, excluding other form factors like Wear OS, Android Auto, Google TV, and the Play Games for PC environment.

The core idea behind this auto-reboot function is to return the device to a more secure state known as Before First Unlock (BFU). When an Android device restarts, it enters this BFU state where all user data remains encrypted and largely inaccessible until the primary passcode, PIN, or pattern is entered. Biometric methods like fingerprint or face unlock are disabled at this stage (I’m sure you’ve been there), adding an extra layer of security.

This contrasts with the After First Unlock (AFU) state, which is the normal condition when your device is actively being used and has been unlocked at least once since its last reboot. While convenient, the AFU state potentially leaves data slightly more accessible than the heavily encrypted BFU state. By forcing a reboot after 72 hours of inactivity, Android ensures the device reverts to the more secure BFU state, significantly hardening it against unauthorized access attempts if the device is lost or stolen while locked.

The rollout of Google Play Services version 25.14 is currently underway, but the activation of the auto-reboot feature itself might follow over the subsequent weeks. A significant advantage of delivering this via Play Services is its broad reach; most Android devices currently in use should receive this security enhancement without requiring a full operating system update.

Google hasn’t yet specified which Android versions will support this feature or if users will have any control over its settings, like disabling it or adjusting the inactivity timer. It would also be helpful if Android provided a notification upon unlocking to inform the user that an automatic security reboot has occurred. We’ll be keeping an eye out for further official information from Google as the roll-out begins.