Check the health of your Android device

You can view the security health of your device to identify if it's exposed to any security risks.

Okta Verify performs several security checks:

  • OS version: Indicates if the operating system (OS) version of your device is up to date.
  • Screen lock: Indicates if your device is protected by a screen lock PIN or password.
  • Disk encryption: Indicates if the hard disk of your device is encrypted.
  • Biometrics: Indicates if biometric verification is enabled on your device.

A green check mark confirms that your device meets Okta device security recommendations. A yellow exclamation mark indicates that you should change some settings to better secure your device.

  1. Open Okta Verify.

  2. Click the Device health icon in the top-right corner.

    Device Health icon on the Okta Verify main page.

    If you must take any remediation actions, a badge appears on the Device health icon.

    Device Health icon with pending remediation actions on the Okta Verify main page.

  3. View the health status of each security check for your device.

    • If all checks passed, your device is secure.

    • If you find warnings, follow the instructions in the table to fix the issues. For example, you might have to update the Android version to include a security patch or to enable biometrics (face recognition or fingerprint verification).

      If you must encrypt your disk:

      • Ensure that your phone is plugged in so that it doesn't shut down during the encryption process.

      • If you haven't set a screen lock PIN or password yet, your device prompts you to do so. Be sure to remember this password. Enter it when you turn on your phone or unlock it. If you change your PIN or password after encryption, you must reset your PIN to preserve encryption.

    Message Remediation

    Update to Android version number

    Update your operating system.

    1. On your device, go to Settings.

    2. Scroll down and select System.

    3. Select Software update or System update. Refer to your phone manufacturer's support page for details.

      The steps might vary slightly depending on the make and model of your device and the version of Android you're running. Some devices might have a separate app for checking and downloading updates.

    4. If an update is available, tap Download and install.

      After the installation, your device restarts automatically with the latest version of Android.

    Enable lock screen

    Enable a lock screen on your device.

    1. On your device, go to Settings.

    2. Scroll down and tap Security or Lock screen and security. Refer to your phone manufacturer's support page for details.

    3. Tap Screen lock or Screen lock type.

    4. Choose the type of lock screen that you want to use, such as Pattern, PIN, or Password.

    5. Follow any prompts that are required to set up the lock screen. For example, if you chose a pattern lock, you need to draw the pattern that unlocks your device.

    6. Choose how quickly your device locks after it goes to sleep. This can help protect your device if you accidentally leave it unlocked.

    Enable lock screen and biometrics

    Enable fingerprint or facial recognition on your device.

    1. On your device, go to Settings.

    2. Go to Security or Lock screen and security. Refer to your phone manufacturer's support page for details.

    3. Tap Biometrics or Biometric preferences.

    4. Enable the types of biometric authentication that you want to use, such as Fingerprint or Face unlock.

    5. After you enable biometrics, go back to the Lock screen and security section.

    6. Tap Screen lock or Screen lock type.

    7. Choose the type of lock screen that you want to use, such as Pattern, PIN, or Password.

    8. Go to Biometrics or Biometric preferences and enable the type of biometrics you want to use on your lock screen.

      After you set up the lock screen, you can use biometric authentication to unlock your device.
    Encrypt your device

    Encrypt your Android device.

    1. On your device, go to Settings.

    2. Go to Security or Lock screen and security.

    3. Tap Encrypt phone or Encrypt tablet.

    4. If you have configured a lock screen, Android prompts you to enter your Pattern, PIN, or Password.

    5. Read the information about encryption and tap Encrypt phone or Encrypt tablet to proceed.

      The encryption process may take an hour or more depending on the amount of data that's stored on your device.

      After the encryption process is complete, Android prompts you to enter your lock screen password, PIN, or pattern to access your device.

    If you need more details, refer to the support documentation for your device: Android Help Center.

Related topics

Manage Okta Verify settings on Android devices