Modern digital security is at a turning point. We are on the threshold of using quantum computers to solve “impossible” problems in drug discovery, materials science, and energy—tasks that even the most powerful classical supercomputers cannot handle. However, the same unique ability to consider different options simultaneously also allows these machines to bypass our current digital locks. This puts the public-key cryptography we’ve relied on for decades at risk, potentially compromising everything from bank transfers to trade secrets. To secure our future, it is vital to adopt the new Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) standards National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is urging before large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers become a reality.
To stay ahead of the curve, the technology industry must undertake a proactive, multi-year migration to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). We have been preparing for a post-quantum world since 2016, conducting pioneering experiments with post-quantum cryptography, rolling out post-quantum capabilities in our products, and sharing our expertise through threat models and technical papers. For Android, the objective extends beyond patching individual applications or transport protocols. The imperative is to ensure that the entire platform architecture is resilient for the decades to come.
We are beginning tests of PQC enhancements starting in the next Android 17 beta, followed by general availability in the Android 17 production release. This deployment introduces a comprehensive architectural upgrade that is being rolled out across the operating system. By integrating the recently finalized NIST PQC standards deep into the platform, we’re establishing a new, quantum-resistant chain of trust. This chain of trust secures the platform continuously—from the moment the OS powers on, to the execution of applications distributed globally. Android is swapping today’s digital locks for advanced encryption to help enhance the security of every app you download—no matter how powerful future supercomputers get.
Securing the foundation: Verified boot and hardware trust
Security on any computing device begins when the hardware starts; if the underlying operating system is compromised, all subsequent software protections fail. As quantum computing advances, adversaries could potentially forge digital signatures to bypass these foundational integrity checks. To secure the platform against this looming threat, Android 17 introduces two major post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) upgrades:
- Upgrading Android Verified Boot (AVB): The AVB library is integrating the Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature Algorithm (ML-DSA). This provides quantum-resistant digital signatures, ensuring the software loaded during the boot sequence remains highly resistant to unauthorized modification.
- Migrating Remote Attestation: Android 17 begins the transition of Remote Attestation to a fully PQC-compliant architecture under the current standards. By updating KeyMint’s certificate chains to support quantum-resistant algorithms, devices can securely prove their state to relying parties, maintaining trust in a post-quantum environment.
Empowering developers: Android Keystore updates
Protecting the underlying operating system is only the first layer of defense; developers must be equipped with the cryptographic primitives necessary to leverage PQC keys and establish robust identity verification.
Implementing lattice-based cryptography, which requires significantly larger key sizes and memory footprints than classical el
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