Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
I’ve been using a Pixel 7 Pro as my primary phone since 2022, and I didn’t have any immediate plans to upgrade just yet. If it ain’t broke, right? Unfortunately, I got complacent and left my bag unattended while swimming at a crowded beach. Goodbye, Pixel phone.
I tried to track the stolen phone via Find Hub, but I quickly gave up when I realized that my Pixel phone has a key security limitation. And I really hope Google and other Android OEMs address this problem.
Would you like Pixels to require a PIN to turn them off? 18 votes Yes, absolutely 83 % No, I wouldn't 17 %
Theft protection is good, but finding my stolen phone is better
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
As soon as I got home, I tried to track my stolen Pixel 7 Pro, but the phone wasn’t showing up in the Find Hub. I quickly realized that the thieves could turn off the phone without entering a PIN, thereby disabling my ability to track it. This seems like a glaring oversight. Sure, Android’s recent anti-theft protection features are great for preserving your user data, and I’m thankful for these security layers, but I also wanted at least some chance of finding my phone.
Google isn’t alone in this regard. Global Xiaomi phones, and presumably others can also be turned off without entering a PIN first. This is more than just a Google Pixel problem.
Users on Google’s Pixel Community forum have requested this feature numerous times over the years. However, Google product experts have contended that this wouldn’t be effective as thieves immediately put these phones in metal containers or RF-shield bags to block any signals. This excuse ignores the fact that some thieves might not think of these measures in the first place.
This excuse hasn’t stopped other brands from offering this feature, though. Nothing, OPPO (including realme and OnePlus), Samsung, and vivo all offer this option on their phones, as seen below.
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