Anti-Theft, included in Avast Mobile Security, requires initial setup before you can track and control your device remotely.

To enable Anti-Theft, follow the steps in the sections below in order:

Run Anti-Theft setup

1. Open Avast Mobile Security, then tap ☰ Menu (three lines) ▸ Anti-Theft.
2. Review the privacy notice and tap Continue.

Create your PIN

1. Tap Set a PIN code from the Anti-Theft setup screen.
   If you already created a PIN code while setting up App Locking or Photo Vault, you do not need to create a separate PIN code for Anti-Theft. If you see the message PIN code set, tap Grant necessary permissions to continue with Anti-Theft setup.
2. Select a Google Account for PIN reset and tap OK to confirm. If you forget your PIN, you can reset it by signing in to the selected Google Account.
3. Enter a PIN code and type it again to confirm.
4. Tap Continue to complete the PIN code setup.

Grant permissions

Before you can activate the Anti-Theft feature, you need to grant Avast Mobile Security several permissions in your device Settings. These permissions are essential for you to track and control your device remotely.

1. Tap Grant necessary permissions.
2. Tap Go To Settings. To grant the System overlay permission, tap the white (OFF) slider next to Avast Mobile Security so that it changes to blue (ON).
3. Tap Go To Settings. Tap Activate to grant the Device admin permission.
4. Tap Grant Permission. To grant the Usage Access permission, select Avast Mobile Security, and tap the white (OFF) slider next to Allow usage tracking so that it changes to blue (ON).
5. Tap Go To Settings. To grant the Write settings permission, tap the white (OFF) slider next to Allow permission so that it changes to blue (ON).
6. Tap Continue to give Avast Mobile Security permission to see your device's location. This allows you to locate your device in the case of loss or theft.
7. Tap Go To Settings to proceed with setup.
8. Tap Allow on each dialog that appears to grant the remaining necessary permissions. You may need to grant the following permissions:
   • Location
   • Calls
   • Media and files

Anti-Theft now has all the permissions necessary for you to track and control your device remotely. For more information about the permissions required by Avast Mobile Security, refer to the following article:

• Permissions required by Avast Mobile Security

Connect to your Avast Account

Follow the steps below to connect Avast Mobile Security to your Avast Account. If Avast Mobile Security is already connected to an Avast Account, you see the message Avast Account set and you can tap Activate Anti-Theft without following the steps below.

1. Tap Connect to your Avast Account.
2. Tap Set Up Web Control ▸ Email.
3. Enter your Avast Account credentials and tap Log In Avast Account. If you do not yet have an Avast Account, tap Sign Up.

Avast Mobile Security is now connected to your Avast Account.

You are directed to the Anti-Theft setup screen. To complete Anti-Theft setup, tap Activate Anti-Theft. Alternatively, tap Set a pattern to access protected areas of your device with a swipe gesture rather than a PIN code.

Further recommendations

For instructions to configure Anti-Theft settings and specify how your device will behave in the case of loss or theft, refer to the following article:

• Avast Anti-Theft - Getting Started

To track or control your device remotely, you need to sign in to the Avast Account that is connected to Avast Mobile Security, and click the Anti-Theft tile on the Avast Account dashboard.

For detailed instructions, refer to the following article:

• Controlling a lost or stolen device remotely using Anti-Theft in Avast Mobile Security

Updated on: 02/06/2022