Phone theft protection is getting a major upgrade across Africa as Google rolls out new AI-powered security features for Android devices, offering hope to millions of users in a region where smartphone snatching has become increasingly common.
The significance of this development is highlighted by the case of Thembi Alfreds, whose phone was stolen at a Johannesburg traffic light. Beyond losing irreplaceable family photos, she faced the modern nightmare of having her personal and financial information compromised — a scenario that’s become distressingly familiar across the continent.
The scale of the problem is stark: according to the GSMA Consumer Survey 2023, 19% of South African mobile users had their devices stolen or lost in the past year. This crisis comes as smartphone adoption surges across Sub-Saharan Africa, with Kenya leading at 61% adoption, while Uganda (31%), Rwanda and Burundi (24-25%) follow behind.
Google’s response arrives through Android 15 and a Google Play Services update, introducing AI-driven features like Theft Detection Lock. This system uses on-device machine learning to analyse patterns that might indicate theft attempts, automatically securing the device. For unlocked phones taken offline — a common tactic among thieves — a new Offline Device Lock feature triggers additional security measures.
The update also strengthens conventional security measures. Changes to sensitive settings now require biometric authentication, while repeated failed login attempts trigger automatic lockdowns. Later this year, an optional Identity Check feature will add biometric verification for critical account changes.
These protections extend to most Android 10+ devices, though Android Go phones, tablets, and wearables aren’t supported. The gradual rollout targets 90% of active Android users worldwide, potentially transforming phone theft from a lucrative criminal enterprise into a significantly riskier proposition.
You can turn on the new Android theft features by clicking here on a supported Android device.