On supported devices, you can secure your Android device with Advanced Protection Mode’s USB Protection. When your screen is locked, it protects your device from unauthorized access through a USB connection. With minimal impact on your daily use, this feature provides security and privacy measures for your device.
Turn on USB Protection
When Device protection is enabled in the Advanced Protection settings, USB Protection automatically turns on for supported devices. Learn how to turn on Device protection.
Understand how USB Protection secures your device
- Protection when locked: While the screen is locked, this prevents establishment of a USB data connection. When USB Protection is on, it blocks data and communication mitigating data communication risks. To allow new USB connections, you can unlock the screen.
- Notifications for data transfer: When you connect a USB device, you may receive notifications that’ll prompt you to unlock your screen and allow data transfer through USB.
- Existing connections remain active: Any USB data connection that started while the device is unlocked remains active even after the device is locked. This includes connection to a laptop for photo transfer or when you use Android Auto through USB. The connection stops when manually disconnected.
- Charging is unaffected: Charging through USB continues to function even with a locked screen. However, in some cases, fast charging may not begin until the screen is unlocked.
Review USB Protection considerations
- No protection when the device is unlocked: If you connect a USB device when your screen is unlocked, the system doesn’t protect that specific connection.
- Variation in feature implementation: The effectiveness of this feature can vary due to how different device manufacturers implement USB support. Get help from your device manufacturer and mobile carrier.
- Reconnect window delay: When the screen locks, to account for loose ports or unreliable cables, there's a short delay of a few seconds before the USB data connection is disabled. The delay occurs before the system turns off the USB data connection. This happens when the screen is locked and USB is disconnected.
- Unprotected boot: Your device’s USB remains unprotected until the device boot process completes.