How Android 16’s new security mode can safeguard your data

If you’re worried about hackers or want extra security, you might want to join Google’s Advanced Protection Program. This program makes your Google account safer by asking for a special key or passcode to log in and stops you from downloading bad files. It also boosts security on Android devices, and with Android 16, there are even more security boosts.

Google started this program back in 2017 to help keep IT managers, journalists, activists, and others safe from cyber attacks. When you join, Android stops you from installing apps from anywhere but the Google Play Store. This helps because it blocks one way hackers might try to attack your phone. However, the Advanced Protection Program could do more, and that’s where Android 16’s new security mode comes in.

We talked about this new feature last October, but we didn’t know much then. We knew it was a special security setup you could turn on through your phone’s settings, and apps could check if it was active. But we didn’t know what it did exactly until we looked at the first Android 16 beta.

In this beta, I found out you can turn on this new security mode. Once active, it grays out the option to install apps from unknown sources (found under Settings > Apps > Special app access > Install unknown apps). It shows a message saying “disabled by Advanced Protection,” and if you try to change it, you get a notice that you can’t because the mode is on.

This means you can’t install apps from outside Google Play, which is similar to what Google Play Protect already does but now you can’t even try.

Another big change is that Android 16 stops 2G connections. 2G is old and not very secure, so blocking it stops users from accidentally connecting to fake 2G networks that could spy on you.

Also, this mode turns on Memory Tagging Extension (MTE) for apps, which helps protect against common security issues related to how apps use memory. MTE isn’t on by default because it might slow down your phone a bit, but those needing extra security might be fine with that.

While Google hasn’t officially said this feature will be in the final Android 16, the signs suggest it will. The ability to block 2G and use MTE are great, but what’s really exciting is how apps can now adjust their security based on whether you’re in this mode. This makes the whole security setup much simpler and effective for your Google account and apps.