Google upgrade Factory Reset Protection in Android 15 to thwart phone thieves

Google has just announced recently a major upgrade to Factory Reset Protection (FRP) in Android 15. However, these changes can make it even harder for thieves to bypass FRP and sell stolen phones.

However, FRP has its weaknesses, and thieves have found ways to bypass it. But with Android 15, Google has made significant changes to FRP, making it even harder for thieves to sell stolen phones.

What’s changing in Android 15?

Google has made five key changes to FRP in Android 15:

1. Enabling OEM unlocking no longer prevents FRP from activating.
2. Bypassing the setup wizard would no longer deactivate FRP.
3. Adding a new Google account is blocked.
4. Setting a lock screen PIN or password is blocked.
5. Installing new apps is blocked.

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These would further impede thieves in the ease with which thieves bypass FRP and sell stolen phones. However, the second is the most vital, since many FRP bypass methods rely on skipping the setup wizard.

How would these changes affect phone thieves?

In addition, with such changes, it would be difficult for any thief to sell the stolen phones. Even if somehow thieves skip the sign-in screen, they still wouldn't be able to use the device normally.

Similarly, Google is also allowing OEMs to extend FRP with their restrictions, thereby making it much more difficult to bypass.

These changes in Android 15 would go a long way in preventing FRP bypasses and stolen phone sales. This would make FRP very secure, courtesy of Google's effort, and phone theft less attractive. FRP would protect your device, and it would be hard for thieves to profit from a stolen phone.