Top-Tier Security: What is Google Pixel Phone Advanced Protection?

The Android 16 update introduced some of the biggest updates ever seen on Android devices, including the latest Google Pixel phones.

Similar to Apple’s Liquid Glass, the Material 3 Expressive Design helps Pixel users create a more personalized experience through tailored wallpapers and natural, springy animations. Live notifications also automatically deliver real-time updates from your most frequently used apps.

One of the most significant new features is Advanced Protection, which Google describes as its “strongest mobile device protection” yet. And the best part? Advanced Protection can be enabled in just one click. Keep reading as we explain how.

What is Google Advanced Protection? 

Google Advanced Protection features enhanced on-device security measures that safeguard Pixel users against sophisticated online threats, including scam calls and unsafe websites.

This feature enables important security settings that aren’t already switched on by default. It also prevents you from turning off core settings that ensure maximum security. Finally, Advanced Protection adds a variety of new security features to Pixel phones. 

Advanced Protection’s heightened measures are ideal for both regular users who prioritize security and those at a higher risk of harmful attacks, like politicians and journalists. They work similarly to Apple’s Lockdown Mode, which reduces the risk of digital threats on Apple iPhones and other Apple devices.

The Android 16 update extends Google’s pre-existing Advanced Protection Program to device-level security. This long-standing program protects Google accounts from phishing in Gmail and keeps personal information secure through Safe Browsing on Chrome. 

How Does Google Advanced Protection Safeguard Pixel Devices?

Advanced Protection safeguards Pixel devices by helping Android 16’s security features work together to protect you from online attacks and data risks. It enables features in bulk, rather than having to turn them all on individually in Settings, to ensure comprehensive protection across all areas of your Pixel. 

Some of the benefits you’ll experience by turning this security setting on include:

• Multiple Security Layers: The system brings all security feature layers together under the Advanced Protection umbrella. Once switched on, these individual features can’t be accidentally or maliciously disabled.

• Minimal Disruptions: Advanced Protection’s user-friendly security measures defend your Pixel proactively, without interrupting your daily phone usage. 

• Seamless Security Integration: This single control point works across various Google apps, including Google Messages and Chrome. Third-party applications are also supported.

• Easy to Use: Anyone can access Advanced Protection settings, whether you’re a tech expert or a regular Pixel user. Switching the system on is simple, as we’ll explain later on.
  

What Features Does Advanced Protection Offer?

Google’s Advanced Protection combines already top-rated security measures with new, Android-specific features to manage security protocols on your Pixel:

New Features

The release of Android 16 provided instant access to a variety of enhanced Advanced Protection security measures, including:

• Intrusion Logging: Backs up your device logs and ensures they’re only accessible to the user. If it’s suspected that the phone has been tampered with, this feature provides a forensic analysis. 

• Inactivity Reboot: Restarts your device after being locked for 72 hours. Ensures all of your settings remain encrypted and can only be accessed through PIN or biometric login.

• USB Protection: Keeps your phone safe from bugs and viruses. New USB connections can only be used for charging when it’s locked. You’ll also be stopped from connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks automatically.

Existing Features

Advanced Protection’s multiple security layers work for existing features in two ways. The first is by permanently turning these features on and stopping them from being disabled, which applies to the following settings:

• Theft Detection and Offline Device Lock: Your phone automatically locks itself if it detects suspicious activity, like moving in rapid motion, or is left offline for prolonged periods. It also restarts when left locked for three days.

• Memory Tagging Extension: MTE prevents supported apps from corrupting memory.

• Unknown Apps: This feature only allows you to download apps from pre-loaded stores, blocking those from unknown sources. It also scans Google Play for malware.

• Google Messages: Enabled scam and spam protection features identify potentially harmful messages.

• Google Chrome: Your default browser is forced to use HTTPS for all website connections where possible. Chrome’s JavaScript optimizer is also disabled to lower the risk of security exposure.

• 2G Disabling: Prevents your phone from connecting to 2G networks, which are extremely vulnerable to security threats.

• Automating Call Screen: Similarly to Call Screening on Apple’s iOS 26, Google’s AI assistant will assess your incoming calls for spam and automatically decline them. It also provides real-time warnings if a phone conversation sounds like a potential scam.

The second way Advanced Protection works is by stopping you from accidentally disabling important security features that are already turned on by default. 

These features include Google Play Protect, Android’s built-in malware and unwanted software protection. While Google Play Protect is a standard feature on Android, and can be used separately for manual device scans, Advanced Protection ensures it remains active. 

Another great measure is Android Safe Browsing, which provides live threat protection to safeguard against malicious websites.

How to Enable Advanced Protection On Your Google Pixel

Enable Advanced Protection on your Pixel by first ensuring that it’s updated to Android 16. Go to the Settings app, choose ‘About Phone’, then select ‘Android version’ to see if Android 16 is already installed.

If not, tap ‘System’ in Settings and go to ‘Software Updates.’ Follow the on-screen instructions to install Android 16.

Once your phone is updated, it’s time to switch Advanced Protection on:

1. Scroll down to ‘Security and Privacy’ in Settings.

2. Tap the ‘Advanced Protection tab’, or select ‘See details’ if this is your first time accessing Advanced Protection since the Android 16 update.

3. Toggle the switch to the right, then confirm by selecting ‘Turn On.’

All Pixel phones that receive regular updates can benefit from Advanced Protection. The Pixel 8 and later get 7 years of OS and security updates from when the phone first became available on the Google Store. The Pixel 10, for instance, can be updated for free up until 2032.

Final Thoughts

Protecting your phone from every threat is impossible, particularly for those at high risk or in the public eye. However, Google’s Advanced Protection features set a great standard. Industry-first features like Intrusion Logging stand out for the additional protection they provide as hackers and scammers become more sophisticated.

A huge benefit of this setting is that it enables all measures at once, meaning you don’t have to worry about taking precautions each day. Manually scanning your phone for harmful software can be time-consuming and inconvenient. Instead, it provides peace of mind against harmful threats.

If the security features become too restrictive at any point, you can easily turn Advanced Protection off. For instance, if they’re blocking messages from people you need to contact or websites required for work purposes.

In the future, we’d like to see Advanced Protection roll out to more Android devices. We’d also be interested to try out even more security features and updates with future Pixels, including next year’s potential Google Pixel 11!