Google Play Services’ mandatory biometric setting within trusted places | Image credit — Android Authority
Google appears to be leveraging its existing “Trusted Places” feature to achieve this. The Google Play Services app will likely track your phone’s location and communicate with the operating system to trigger mandatory biometrics when you’re away from a trusted zone.
This approach mirrors Apple’s “Stolen Device Protection” feature, which also requires biometric authentication for certain actions when an iPhone is away from a familiar location. It’s a smart move by Google, bringing Android’s security capabilities closer to its competitor and offering users enhanced peace of mind.
It’s important to note that Identity Check won’t be a foolproof solution. Determined thieves could still find ways to bypass biometric security or access data through other vulnerabilities. However, it adds a significant hurdle for opportunistic thieves who might otherwise easily exploit the lock screen PIN fallback.
While we don’t have an exact timeline for Identity Check’s rollout, it’s expected to be part of a future Android update, possibly requiring Android 15 QPR1 or later due to underlying system changes. I can see this feature being very helpful and a welcome addition for Android users who are security conscious.
