Android 12 to provide the option to switch off 2G

Android 12 was released in October of last year, and some OEMs have already pushed the new operating system to their eligible smartphones and tablets. While features like Material You and enhanced widgets have gotten a lot of press, some of the more recent updates have gone unnoticed. A 2G kill switch, which was just discovered, is one such addition.

Android 12 Users Can Disable 2G

On Twitter, a reliable source reports that a new feature in Android 12 is the ability to disable 2G modems on phones (per the EFF). Late last year, Google discreetly pushed out the function, allowing users to increase the security of their devices with the click of a button, and the move was widely praised.

Carriers in the United States, for example, have long since shut down 2G (with 3G on the way), but most phones still have modems and try to connect to adjacent 2G signals — here’s why that’s a problem.

The antiquated service, which was launched in 1991, is rife with flaws and its security is outdated. To begin with, the encryption between 2G towers and devices is poor, resulting in a link that may be hacked in real-time to intercept conversations and texts. Another issue is the lack of authentication between towers and phones, which allows for the impersonation of a real 2G tower — cell-site simulators, for example, can make use of this to intercept messages.

While 4G is significantly more secure, when the 4G signal is poor, your connection might be degraded to 2G, leaving your phone vulnerable to assaults. So, if you want to safeguard your privacy and data, turn on the kill switch, especially if you live in an area where 2G usage has declined. However, it’s possible that your Android smartphone has a constraint that stops you from turning the switch on.

Summing Up

While the functionality is available on Android 12, it is not available on all devices running the most recent OS version. It is worth noticing that the latest OS has made it much easier to perform functions such as merging contacts. The 2G kill switch needs an upgrade to Radio HAL version 1.6, which many Android 11 devices are bypassing due to Google Requirements Freeze (GRF). You won’t be able to disable your 2G modem if your phone falls under this group.

Devices running Android 12 — including newer Pixel and Samsung phones — will, however, be able to use the function. Toggle the Allow 2G option in Settings > Network and internet > SIMs > Allow 2G to deactivate 2G.