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Interestingly, it could also be seen the other way around; it's a potential way for Google to force deployments of system updates (potentially at the request of
by rvnx 2y ago
Interestingly, it could also be seen the other way around; it's a potential way for Google to force deployments of system updates (potentially at the request of law enforcement). With an automatic reboot, then the update can automatically be applied without user action.
- rtpg 2y agoAt least on iOS an update requires an explicit unlock, is this not the case on Android? There could be secret pathways but I don’t know them.
- dheera 2y agoThey should really implement a dual user / dual password system to combat those countries. If you enter password 1 it goes into your normal account, if you enter password 2 it goes into another user account with a burner environment where you can install a few token commonly used apps for plausible deniability. The existence of password 2 should be optional and you should not be able to tell if the system has one or two passwords configured.
- dataflow 2y ago> install a few token commonly used apps for plausible deniability It's gonna be seen as pretty implausible when you don't have constant & recent messages with your loved ones in there.
- Marsymars 2y agoI dunno, my elderly and non-tech-savvy in-laws travelled to the US (from Canada) last week and wiped their phones of social media apps and stored messages before crossing the border based on media reports around the US CBP’s handling of border crossers’ devices, so I’d say an empty phone is pretty plausible for anyone in that situation.
- mjmas 2y agoit would be better for plausible deniability if it just had all your apps minus a few hidden ones, but keeping the rest with all their data.
- joseda-hg 2y agoSome alternate ROMs already have this, duress mode I think it's called
- ponorin 2y agoYou can either use: separate user accounts (needs context switching) or a new private space feature. Private space was introduced with Android 15 and can hide its existence (from the launcher).
- resource_waste 2y agoWhen Apple does it: "Brilliant! Love the security! Walled Prison!! Wooo" When Google does it: "Google is using it to help the FBI" (But the iphone was hacked by the FBI...)
- gf000 2y agoIf the user data is properly encrypted, then that still won't give access to any important information until the key is entered by the user.
- mystified5016 2y agoThis is the real reason
- markus_zhang 2y agoI actually think this is the reason. But I think Android has an option to disable auto update?
- rixed 2y agoExcept that on most phone you can already reboot the device if you long-press some button, can't you?
- BurningFrog 2y agoYou can always turn it off and on, AFAIK.
- ffsm8 2y agoLong Press power while pressing volume down works on all Android devices I've used to date. And that's ignoring the fact that disconnecting power, waiting a few days and then reconnecting it will inevitably let you cold boot it, too (which this would be an equivalent to - as far as I understood it)
- londons_explore 2y agoThat key combo is screenshot on android 14...
- ffsm8 2y agoThe force power of happens after something like 30s, the screenshot should be pretty much instant
- NooneAtAll3 2y agolong power press = force reboot power+volume = screenshot
- ffsm8 2y agoYour are absolutely correct. I mixed it up from playing with various Android versions in 2010-2016. The long press alone got the reboot, and the volume down + power booted into the bootloader. Hence my memory with both, as I always pressed both until the bootloader was available - but you are right, long press power is enough for hard off
- kokada 2y agoThis makes no sense, Android already will reboot itself after receiving an update and being inactive for a while (generally while charging it will install the update in its secondary partition, do some verification checks and reboot if there is no user interaction).
- kqr 2y agoThis sounds vendor-specific and not general for Android. I've never had that happen on any device but Windows and I would be very upset if it did happen.
- arghwhat 2y agoThis is default on iOS and on many Android versions. It's often configurable, but e.g. carrier policy or local vendors can enforce it. To have updates automatically install overnight is the maximally desirable scenario - waiting for user approval usually result in open vulnerabilities, and if you interact with a prompt you are by definition using your device and it is therefore a much worse time than while you're asleep.
- TylerE 2y agoI hate overnight updates because a dialed one means I have no alarm and will be hours late for work. And yes, this has actually happened to me at least twice.
- mh- 2y agoI haven't had that happen on iOS, but I have woken up in the night needing my flashlight just to find my phone applying a lengthy update. I have it set to download automatically and install manually now, I believe.
- Talanes 2y agoI haven't had any problems in at least 7+ years, but I work in coffee and I can remember at least two instances where an Apple update made half the staff late by turning off their alarms, myself included.
- VWWHFSfQ 2y agoIt's already trivial to reboot a locked android phone
- nine_k 2y agoWhen it's sitting in a locked steel drawer, with no connectivity, and no way to touch it?