Google is releasing a new user-facing screen via an October Google Play services update for Android 16. The feature informs users which applications check the system’s Advanced Protection status, a mode for heightened device security.
The foundation for this tool is the Advanced Protection mode, a feature introduced with Android 16. This mode provides a method for users to configure their smartphones for maximum security against common threats. Development of the informational screen was first observed in August, when work was identified on an interface to display which apps are aware of a user’s Advanced Protection settings. The purpose is to allow applications to recognize when the high-security mode is active and potentially offer corresponding extra security precautions. This transparency lets users see how their system-level security choices are acknowledged by individual apps.
The feature’s arrival was confirmed in the official release notes for the October Google Play services update. Google’s documentation highlights the addition, stating, “A new page now shows apps that ask for Advanced Protection state.” This screen functions as a log, providing users a list of applications that have queried the operating system to determine if Advanced Protection is enabled. Apps performing this check may use the information to adjust their internal security protocols, aligning with the user’s system-level security posture. The page provides insight into this previously non-visible interaction between apps and the Android security framework.
Early analysis during its development phase in August provided an initial glimpse into its usage. At that time, observations indicated that only other Google applications were accessing the status information. The specific apps identified were core system services, including Phone, Messages, and the Chrome browser. These applications are also directly referenced by the Advanced Protection mode. While initial findings are limited to first-party software, the monitoring tool suggests a potential for third-party applications to also leverage this status. Third-party browsers and messaging apps could utilize knowledge of the Advanced Protection status to enhance their own security measures, although no specific examples from third parties have been documented.
Deployment of this new screen is currently in a limited phase. The feature has only been confirmed active on a single device, which was operating on a beta release of Android 16. With the official rollout of the October Google Play services update now underway, the availability of the “Apps that ask for Advanced Protection state” page is expected to expand to more devices as the update propagates.
