Your Android phone just got a powerful anti-theft upgrade. Here's what's new

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Android is getting upgraded theft protection features.
• Updates include expanded Identity Check and Remote Lock.
• The features are available now.

Google announced a new set of theft protection feature updates for Android on Tuesday to help mitigate trouble if your phone ever goes missing.

Also: Your Android phone's most powerful security feature is off by default - turn it on ASAP

Because our phones carry so much critical information these days, the cost of replacing a device is truly the least of your problems if your phone falls into the wrong hands. Today's updates not only make it more difficult for a nefarious actor to unlock your phone, but they also bring critical protection to important apps and make it harder for someone else to lock down your phone.

Here's a ...