Android devices to auto-reboot after three days of inactivity in latest Google security update

Tech major Google has introduced a new security feature for Android devices that automatically reboots phones and tablets if they remain locked for three consecutive days, as per a blog post by the company.

The feature, part of Google Play services update version 25.14, aims to enhance user privacy and limit unauthorised access to stored data.

The functionality appears under the “Security & Privacy” section and will gradually roll out across supported devices. According to the company, “Google System updates make your Android devices more secure and reliable, and give you new and useful features.” The auto-reboot option, which is currently optional, is being introduced as a preventative security measure.


If a device remains locked and unused for 72 hours, it will automatically restart. Upon reboot, it enters the “Before First Unlock” (BFU) state, where all user data remains encrypted until the passcode is entered. This prevents unauthorised users or forensic tools from accessing sensitive data.

In contrast, once a device is unlocked, it transitions into the “After First Unlock” (AFU) state, where some data becomes more accessible and vulnerable to exploitation.

The update aligns Android with Apple’s iOS, which introduced a similar feature—called “Inactivity Reboot”—with version 18.1. Both companies are aiming to curb the effectiveness of forensic tools used by law enforcement and hackers, such as those developed by Cellebrite and Magnet Forensics.

Security researchers have praised Google’s move, highlighting its importance in deterring data theft, especially in cases of lost or stolen devices. The feature also disables biometric authentication post-reboot, requiring a manual passcode entry to unlock the device.

The update is part of a broader push by tech companies to harden devices against physical extraction techniques and strengthen privacy safeguards at the operating system level.