If your phone came with Android 5 or above, the storage is encrypted by default. You can verify this by going into `Settings` > `Security & lock screen` > `Encryption & credentials`. It should say _Encrypt phone - encrypted_ and it won't allow you to turn it off. Hovewer, the safety of the encryption depends on several factors. Most importantly, you should be using a strong password. PIN codes can be brute forced easily - Android allows you to try 5 different passwords every 30 seconds. That means brute forcing a 4 digit PIN takes less than 17 hours. Another factor is whether you have the bootloader unlocked and what kind of encryption your phone uses. ## File-based encryption _Android 10+, some devices with Android 7 - 9._ Android with FBE enabled encrypts the master key by a combination of the device key and your PIN/password. A device like this is NOT decryptable without your password even if one can run arbitrary code\* on the device. You can easily verify if your phone is using FBE by restarting it. If it asks for PIN/password with a default-themed keyboard, it's using FBE. ## Full-disk encryption _Android 4.4 - 6, some devices with Android 7 - 9._ The master key is encrypted using only the device key by default. If you can run any code\* on the device, your data is as good as unencrypted. To encrypt the master key with your PIN or password, you need to enable "secure startup" (`Settings` > `Security & location` > `Screen lock` > `PIN` or `Password` and tap `Yes` when it asks if you want to use Secure start-up). That makes the master key encrypted with the device key AND your PIN/password. If you get a black screen with a prompt "To start Android, enter your PIN/password", then your phone is using the secure start-up. If it boots normally and asks for PIN/password with your customized keyboard, your phone is NOT using the secure start-up. --- \* you can run arbitrary code if the bootloader is unlocked, the device manufacturer (or possibly a very determined hacker) can likely do this even with bootloader locked Read more about Android encryption here: https://source.android.com/security/encryption/