This powerful anti-theft feature is finally coming to more Android phones with Android 16

What is Identity Check?

Identity Check was first introduced to Pixel phones with the December 2024 Pixel Drop, and it later became available for Samsung’s Galaxy phones via the One UI 7 update.

The feature is part of Google’s larger Theft Protection suite, and it makes changing critical security settings—like resetting your password or accessing saved login credentials—require biometric verification, such as a fingerprint or facial recognition.Unlike standard biometric prompts on Android, though, Identity Check disables fallback options like PIN or pattern entry, making it significantly harder for thieves to bypass even if they know your screen lock code.

To avoid unnecessary friction, the system only enforces this protection when your phone is outside of a trusted location (like your home), giving you seamless access when you’re in environments you’ve deemed safe.

Identity Check is coming to more Android phones with Android 16

The reason for the slow rollout is due to technical limitations: Identity Check requires changes to Android’s biometric prompt system, which is part of a non-updatable core OS component. These changes were included in Android 15 QPR1 and are now fully baked into Android 16.So if your phone runs Android 16 and has a Class 3 biometric sensor (most modern mid-range and flagship Android phones do include one), you’ll likely be able to enable Identity Check after updating.