Google developers are currently in the process of rolling out the latest Google Play Services update. This is a way that the Android manufacturer can release some updates outside of the actual OS updates, and that’s exactly what’s happening this time.
The latest update of Google Play services 25.14 on Android introduced a new security feature. If the device has remained locked for more than three days in a row, it automatically reboots.
Google has not yet shared other details, including which specific Android versions are supported and whether there is a custom setting for this mode.
This is a security feature that puts the phone in a “Pre-unlock” state, which it will enter after an automatic reboot. In this state, the data is encrypted and it is more difficult to access it than if the phone was in the “After the first unlock” state, after you entered your password on any reboot.
The Google Play 25.14 service update will be rolled out over the coming week, but it will take some more time for its widespread inclusion.
Apple launched a similar feature in iOS 18.1 last year (it’s called Inactivity Reboot there), and it’s nice to see Google following suit. This will work on Android phones and tablets, but not on Wear OS devices.