Google gives Android apps password checker and Google Maps dark mode

Google has announced several new features for select Android apps, including Password Checkup. This checks whether the password that users enter in apps is stolen or not. Password Checkup was already in the Chrome browser.

When users enter a password in an app with Autofill, Google checks this password. If this password appears to have been stolen before, the user will receive a notification. In this notification, the user is advised to change this password. The feature works on smartphones with Android version 9 or higher.

Google also announced that Maps is getting a dark mode. This app already switched to a dark mode in navigation mode in the evening, but now Google is introducing a setting that allows the app to be used continuously in dark mode. Android Auto also gets games, support for custom backgrounds and shortcuts.

The Messages, TalkBack, and Assistant apps are the last three apps to get new features. In Assistant it should be easier to give commands when the phone is locked or remote. For that, it has shortened certain cards, which can be read faster. Users can also give permission for the processing of certain personal user data when the screen is locked. When users give permission, they can, for example, send text messages and make phone calls when the phone is locked.

In Messages, users will be able to schedule messages in order to be able to send them at a later time. Finally, TalkBack screen reader has been updated with improved gestures and menus. The announced Android features will be phased out to smartphones from Tuesday.