Summary
- With its Advanced Protection Mode initiative, Google is taking steps to bolster the security of its Android operating system.
- Several security features have been rolled out alongside Android 16, while others are still being tested behind the scenes.
- USB Protection, which is designed to neutralize the threat of USB-based malware attacks, might come with the drawback of additional friction in the fast charging process.
With the release of Android 16 earlier this year, Google introduced a new suite of security measures under the umbrella initiative of Advanced Protection. One such measure, known as USB Protection, is set to arrive in stable form in the coming months, and it’s designed to safeguard against USB-based malware attacks.
In particular, USB Protection neutralizes the risk posed by bad actors injecting malicious code into your Android phone or tablet via its USB-C port. When enabled, the system will require you to unlock your phone before a USB peripheral can ‘talk’ with the host device, essentially disabling unverified data access.
However, as spotted by Android Authority, it appears that USB Protection might introduce some unintended friction for the end user. In the latest Canary release, Google has partially implemented USB Protection, and text strings within the code base reference the need to manually unlock and reconnect your device to enable fast charging.
While unconfirmed, it’s likely that this quirk is a result of the USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) protocol requiring some level of data exchange in order to negotiate precise fast charging voltages.
Despite these newly uncovered strings of code, Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman reports that fast charging continues to work on his Pixel 8 Pro running the new Canary build, irrespective of whether it’s locked or unlocked at the time of plug-in.
Advanced Protection Mode continues to roll out
With Android 16, Google is making a concerted effort to secure its mobile platform
Android Advanced Protection Mode (AAPM) is a platform-wide initiative from Google to bolster the security of its popular mobile OS. Starting with the release of Android 16, the company has been integrating new device protection measures into the mix, including Theft Detection Lock and Scam Protection. Other new features, such as Inactivity Reboot and the aforementioned USB Protection, are yet to launch in earnest.
As an operating system, Android is a relatively open platform. While the Google Play Store remains the one-stop-shop for most app downloads, sideloading APK files from the internet is a simple process. This is a boon for freedom, but it also introduces additional risks. External USB peripherals are also a very real attack vector, especially in the age of USB-C. A user could unwittingly inject malware, spyware, ransomware, and any number of other bad code onto their Android phone or tablet, and be none the wiser.
As such, USB Protection is a step in the right direction, despite the possible disruption it might cause to fast charging. Google hasn’t announced an exact launch date for the feature, aside from promising to bring it to users “later this year.” In all likelihood, it’ll reach the public in Android 16’s next major quarterly platform release (QPR), which happens to be QPR2. QPR2 is expected to hit stability sometime in December.
