Should you turn on Theft protection on a Google Pixel? What each lock does (Android 17)

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Security and privacy › Lost device protection › Theft protection

Real screenshots

8 of 8 steps

What we did

Looked at each screen; changed nothing

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Lost device protection

   Open Settings, tap Security and privacy, and tap Lost device protection.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Theft protection

   It is below Find Hub. Its line says Lock device's screen if theft is detected.

   Done

3. 

   Set a screen lock first

   The page says Theft protection settings won't work without a screen lock. Ours had none, so it showed Add screen lock. Tap it and choose a PIN, pattern or password.

   Done

4. 

   Theft Detection Lock: leave it on

   Tap the arrow next to its switch to see how it works. It uses the motion sensors to spot someone abruptly taking the phone and speeding away, then locks the screen. The page says it is designed for public places, not when you are on stable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth at home or in the office. It was on on ours.

   Done

5. 

   Offline Device Lock: your call

   Your screen will lock shortly after your device goes offline. That stops a thief who switches off mobile data, but it also locks the phone when you lose signal yourself; you then unlock as usual. It was off on ours.

   Done

6. 

   Failed authentication lock: leave it on

   The screen locks after repeated failed authentication attempts in your apps and settings. It was on on ours.

   Done

7. 

   Remote Lock: turn it on

   Tap Remote Lock and turn on Use Remote Lock. If the phone is lost, go to android.com/lock on any device and enter its phone number; no sign-in or Google Account is needed. Ours was on but warned that it won't work until you add a screen lock.

   Done

8. 

   Identity Check: optional

   On the Theft protection page, tap Identity Check. It asks for your fingerprint or face, not only the PIN, for sensitive changes when you are away from trusted places like home. Ours was not set up; we went back without tapping Next.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• Not under Device unlock? On our Pixel 10a (build CP3A.261005.005) Theft protection was under Lost device protection, although the Identity Check screen still says Security and privacy, Device unlock, Theft protection, Identity Check.

  

• Not a Pixel? Google gives the path Settings, Google, All services, Theft protection. Google says some steps only work on Android 10 and up, and the features are not on Android Go devices, tablets or wearables. Source: Protect your personal data against theft

If this does not work

• Remote Lock does not lock the phone? Google lists what it needs: a screen lock, an active SIM card, a verified phone number, Find Hub turned on and an internet connection. If the phone is offline, it locks once it is back online. Source: Protect your personal data against theft
• Locked by mistake? Unlock it the way you usually would, with your PIN, pattern, password, fingerprint or face.

About this guide

Theft protection is a set of switches that lock the screen if the phone is snatched, goes offline, or someone keeps guessing. If you still have the phone, you unlock it as usual.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), in Dark mode. Our test phone has no screen lock, so its pages show a warning; we only looked and changed nothing.

Good to know

Find Hub is the other half: how to check Find Hub is on on a Google Pixel. Theft protection locks the phone; Find Hub finds or erases it.

In short: Add a screen lock, then Settings, Security and privacy, Lost device protection, Theft protection: Theft Detection Lock and Failed authentication lock on, Remote Lock on, Offline Device Lock if you accept the extra locking.