Skip to main content

Android has a hidden ‘panic detection mode’ designed to protect users from rogue apps

Android is a pretty secure OS for the most part which Google is constantly working to make more secure, but it still faces issues with malware. Even applications downloaded from the Play Store can go rogue, taking over a user’s entire device. In the background, Google has quietly introduced a “panic mode” that helps protect users from situations like these.

The idea behind “panic mode” is to provide the user a guaranteed way to get out of any rogue application and bring them back to the homescreen. It does so by listening to the back button on the device for whenever multiple presses are detected in rapid succession. When Android detects that, it overrides whatever application is open and causing the problem, delivering the user to their homescreen where they can uninstall the rogue app.

Google hasn’t said anything publicly about this feature, but XDA discovered it within Android’s source code over the weekend. The implementation is quite clever since rapidly pressing the back button is a common move when events like this occur.

As pointed out by XDA, though, “panic detection mode” isn’t enabled for everyone. The feature was only added in Android 7.1 Nougat and has to be specifically enabled to work. It seems likely that, for now, Google hasn’t finished this application and plans to enable it by default in future versions of the OS. Regardless, we’re glad to see Google continually working on security features like this.


Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news!

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel