Google Introduces Optional Auto-Restart For Locked Android Devices

This feature makes your phone lock down tighter after a restart, keeping everything encrypted and way harder to get into.

Google is rolling out a new update to Google Play services (version 25.14) that includes a fresh security feature.

This feature will automatically restart your phone or tablet if it’s been locked for three days straight, according to 9to5Google.

The idea is to put your device into its most secure state—called “Before First Unlock”—where your data stays encrypted and harder to access. Normally, after you unlock your phone following a restart, it switches to “After First Unlock,” which is a bit less secure.

If you’d rather your device not restart on its own, Google says the auto-reboot is optional, so you can turn it off.

The update will start reaching devices over the next week, but it could take a few more weeks before the auto-reboot feature actually goes live.