Xiaomi, in Collaboration with NXP, the First to Leverage Android Ready SE

Secure Elements (SE) in mobile phones are essential for safeguarding
digital identities in an increasingly connected world. These specialized
hardware components provide a hardware vault for storing and processing
sensitive information, such as biometric data, cryptographic keys and
payment credentials.

By isolating these critical assets from the phone’s
main operating system, secure elements greatly reduce the risk of data
breaches and unauthorized access, even against physical attacks. This
protection is vital in an age where our smartphones serve as gateways to
personal, financial and sensitive online services, ensuring that our
digital identities remain resilient against cyber threats.

On a Mission to Secure Android Devices

To create a standardized framework for driving SE adoptions in emerging use
cases, Google established the
Android Ready SE Alliance  in 2021. The alliance consists of a group of SE vendors partnering with
Google to create a set of open source, validated and ready-to-use SE
Applets based on Strongbox, Google’s hardware-backed Keystore for the SE.
As an Alliance member, NXP Semiconductors supports the vision to enable Android phones,
tablets and wearables to support digital car keys, identity credentials
and more.

“As mobile devices become the smart hub of daily digital life, implementing
NXP’s silicon-based security solutions to enable Android Strongbox creates
a highly protected environment for bringing new capabilities and secure
services”

Jerome Legros, VP of NFC and eUICC

NXP has created a tamper-resistant, external hardware security module
that OEMs can leverage out of the box to secure critical assets and protect
user privacy on an Android device. Besides the secure storage of digital
keys, identities and driver’s license, Android Ready SE enables continuous
innovation of this hardware environment as the Android ecosystem evolves.

“We are excited about this milestone for Strongbox, which brings vault-like
hardware protections to more Android users. By having Strongbox support on
external Secure Elements (eSE), any OEM can easily provide tamper resistant
protections for their users”

Bethel Otuteye, Senior Director, Product
Management, Android Safety

Xiaomi First to Leverage Android External Secure Elements Functions

Xiaomi’s latest flagship phone, the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra,
are the first with eSE connected with NFC to embrace the power of the
Android Ready SE. Based on NXP’s SN220 Family that unifies eSIM
capabilities, a Secure Element and Near Field Communication in one chip,
Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra owners can be assured that any of their
mobile services are running on a genuine Android device. Furthermore, FIDO2
keys, which are known to provide a safer and easier alternative to
passwords, can be stored on the secure element, adding even more
convenience and peace of mind when using secure services.

“At Xiaomi, we prioritize user privacy and security in our unwavering
commitment to providing exceptional user experiences. We are thrilled to
unveil the integration of the NXP SN220 chip in our latest Xiaomi 14 and
Xiaomi 14 Ultra. This collaboration with NXP underscores our ongoing
efforts to enhance user privacy and security, reflecting our dedication to
creating a robust digital environment for our users.”

Kuan Song,
Information Security Director of Xiaomi Group.

With our digital identities moving more into our mobile devices,
OEMs like Xiaomi are taking action to exploit the benefits of the
tamper-resistant key storage for Android applications and are leading the
way toward a more digital lifestyle.