There's a simple trick thieves use after grabbing a phone: swipe down from the lock screen and switch on airplane mode or turn off mobile data, cutting the phone off from tracking before the owner can locate it. Google's latest Android 17 update finally closes that gap — here's how to lock Quick Settings behind your screen lock so nobody can touch them.
What you need
- An Android phone running Android 17 with the QPR3 (third quarterly platform release) update — released in early October 2026 and still rolling out gradually.
- Your usual screen lock (PIN, pattern, fingerprint or face unlock) already set up.
- No extra app is required — the feature is built into the system.
To check your update: open Settings → About phone → Android version and look for an available update. The exact path may differ slightly depending on your phone's manufacturer.
Step-by-step: block Quick Settings on the lock screen
- Open Settings. Tap the Settings app on your home screen or in the app drawer.
- Go to the lock-screen security section. On most phones, navigate to Security & Privacy → Device Unlock. Some manufacturers place the option under Display & Touch → Lock screen instead — if you don't see it in the first spot, check the other. (Google detailed the feature in an October 2026 post on Threads; Tech Advisor confirmed the two pathways.)
- Find the Quick Settings option. Look for a toggle labeled something like "Quick Settings on lock screen" or "Allow Quick Settings when locked".
- Turn it off (block access). Flip the switch so Quick Settings can no longer be opened without unlocking the phone first.
- Test it. Lock your phone, then try swiping down to open Quick Settings. If the feature is active, you'll be asked to unlock first — Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, mobile data and airplane mode can no longer be toggled by anyone who picks up your locked phone.
Why this matters
Until now, anyone holding your locked phone could kill its connection in seconds — which defeats location tools like Find Hub and makes a stolen phone much harder to recover. Locking Quick Settings behind authentication means a thief can't silence the device without your PIN or biometric, keeping tracking and remote-lock tools working when you need them most.
This lands alongside other October 2026 Android security improvements, including expanded in-call scam protection and Find Hub's new Left-Behind Reminders that warn you if you've walked away from a tagged item.
Common problems and tips
- Can't find the toggle? Your phone may not have the QPR3 update yet — Google rolls out quarterly releases in waves. Check for updates again in a few days.
- Menu names differ: Samsung, Motorola and others sometimes rename lock-screen settings. Use the search bar at the top of the Settings app and type "Quick Settings".
- Don't skip the basics: this feature works best together with a strong screen lock. A locked phone with an open Quick Settings panel was the loophole; a locked phone with no Quick Settings access and a solid PIN is a much harder target.
It takes under a minute to switch on — and it's one of those small settings you'll be glad you changed before you ever need it.