Android 16 is set to roll out powerful new security features. Building on its device theft protection and advanced protection modes, the operating system will introduce an Intrusion Detection System designed to monitor system and network activities.
On Monday, PhoneArena reported the discovery of strings in the beta version (25.18.31) of Google Play Services, suggesting the imminent arrival of this feature.
The Intrusion Detection System will create encrypted logs of various activities, including USB events, app installations, Bluetooth connections, lock screen interactions, Wi-Fi connections, and browsing history. This data will be securely stored in Google Drive with end-to-end encryption, accessible only to users through their Google account password and device lock screen.
At present, this feature is being developed exclusively for Android 16 and is unlikely to be available on earlier versions. It’s expected to become a crucial tool, especially in professions where security is paramount. This development could also help shift the perception that Android lags behind iOS in terms of security.
While Apple iOS is renowned for its robust security measures, it doesn’t offer a user-friendly intrusion detection system comparable to Android’s upcoming feature.