Android 16 introduces intrusion logging for better security

Google is introducing a new level of protection in Android 16 that could fundamentally change smartphone security. The system will include an Intrusion Logging feature—a kind of "black box" capable of precisely recording what happened to a device during a hack or suspicious activity. The tool has already been spotted in test builds on select devices and will be part of the full Android 16 release in 2026.

Once activated in settings, the system begins maintaining a detailed event log, creating a timeline of the smartphone's state. This log records screen unlocks, app installations, changes in network activity, and even specific elements of web browsing history. If a device suddenly starts draining battery quickly, showing intrusive ads, or displaying other anomalies, all of this will be reflected in the log. Moreover, the journal will help determine whether an unauthorized person gained access to the smartphone.

Google has paid special attention to privacy concerns. All log data is protected with end-to-end encryption, and only the device owner or trusted individuals they provide the key to can access it. Even Google cannot view these records. Logs are automatically stored for one year and deleted after this period, and the user cannot manually erase them. This approach is necessary to prevent malicious actors from covering their tracks after a breach.

For most users, this feature may remain unused, but for journalists, activists, developers, and others in high-risk groups, Intrusion Logging will become an important tool. A constant and unalterable event log gives security specialists the ability to accurately reconstruct the picture of an attack and understand exactly where the system failed. The feature is entirely voluntary, and users can opt out during the initial device setup.

Android 16 with this "black box" is already undergoing limited testing on tablets and flagship smartphones, with broader distribution expected later. This approach shows that Google takes the growing cyber threats seriously and is gradually handing users digital forensics tools, allowing them to better control their security and personal data.