Android 15 can better protect your secret codes from hackers, here's how

Android 15 is supposed to introduce new ways to protect the codes you receive on your smartphone, including ones that allow you to perform two-factor authentication (2FA). Google especially wants to protect these secret codes from hackers.

If you use online services that require two-factor authentication (2FA), you may be familiar withOne Time Password (OTP) codes sent to you via SMS or email. These codes are supposed to add an extra layer of security to your accounts, but they also have a downside: They can be intercepted by hackers who want to access your data.

However, that could change with Android 15, the next version of Google's mobile operating system, which could introduce new features to protect your login codes. According to Android Authority, Android expert Mishaal Rahman has discovered evidence in the Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 code that suggests Google is working on a new security feature that will prevent untrusted apps from reading your notifications containing OTP codes.

Read also – Google is testing emojis for two-factor authentication in Messages for the web

Google will protect your login codes

This feature, which can be called “OTP_REDACTION”, can do just that Hide 2FA codes on your lock screen, so only you can see them when you unlock your phone. This feature may also require a new permission called “RECEIVE_SENSITIVE_NOTIFICATIONS,” which will limit access to your notifications for certain system apps on your phone.

This permission will work in conjunction with Android's “NotificationListenerService” API, which allows apps to read and interact with your notifications. This API is not enabled by default and you must enable it manually in your settings.

These new features, if implemented, could do just that Improve the security and privacy of your online accountsBecause it prevents hackers from stealing your OTP codes and connecting to your services. We will now have to see how Google will implement this functionality in the next version of Android, which we remind you is currently in the first version of the developer preview.