Key points:
- Android 14 introduces advanced cellular security measures, becoming the first OS to do so.
- 2G support can now be disabled in managed devices to counter security vulnerabilities associated with false base stations and downgrading attacks.
- A new feature disables support for null-ciphered cellular connections, enhancing communication privacy.
- Android 12 had already introduced a modem-level 2G disabling feature for Pixel 6 and other Android devices.
- Android’s efforts to enhance cellular security encompass collaborations with internal teams, academic groups, and industry standards bodies.
Depending on where you live, 2G may be the only option in some places due to much better range than all other generations. Also while driving for example, your phone may need to connect to a 2G base temporarily if there is a gap between the range of the 5G ones, so you may get calls dropping randomly
But it’s worth noting that any emergency call that requires 2G to go through will still work.
Emergency calls will use any network they can reach, even if you disable it.