Android Adds Opt-In AI Checks for Scam Messages

Google is rolling out new Android defenses meant to catch scam messages, suspicious links and fake bank calls before users lose money or account access. The protections could help households facing convincing texts and calls, but several features require newer or supported devices, and one important Messages setting will be off until the user enables it.

What happened

According to Help Net Security, Google Messages is getting an optional Enhanced protection mode that uses Gemini models to examine the context of conversations with unknown senders. Google says this processing takes place in its encrypted Private AI Compute environment, which is designed to prevent anyone else, including Google, from accessing the data.

On supported phones, an on-device Gemini Nano model will also use current web signals to check unfamiliar links before they are opened. Warnings for links sent by numbers outside the user’s contacts will provide more context and time to reconsider.

Android is also extending screen-sharing safeguards to Chrome and Android WebView. Login and payment fields will be hidden during live screen-sharing sessions, making it harder for a caller to watch someone enter sensitive information.

Other changes target call-forwarding scams. Android will stop apps from secretly turning on call forwarding and will warn users when they enter a forwarding code in the phone dialer. Participating banks can also verify that an incoming call actually came from the bank; Android automatically ends the call when that verification fails. BleepingComputer reports that these measures are rolling out to eligible devices.

Who is affected

Android users who receive messages or calls from unknown people are the main audience, especially anyone targeted with fake bank alerts, requests to share a screen or instructions to enter a phone code.

Enhanced protection in Google Messages is expected to begin rolling out as an opt-in feature in the coming weeks. Google is also working with phone makers to bring scam warnings in chat notifications beyond Pixel phones later this year.

The expanded screen-sharing protection requires Android 15 or later and is rolling out this month. Call-forwarding protection is scheduled for early December on Pixel phones and certain other devices. Google has not disclosed a complete list of supported phone models or participating U.S. banks.

What to do now

1. Open your phone’s Settings app, search for “System update,” and install the newest Android release offered for your device. Support and menu names can vary by phone maker.

2. Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile picture, choose “Manage apps & device,” and install available app updates. Keeping Google Messages, Chrome and other apps current helps ensure new protections can arrive.

3. Check Google Messages settings for an option named Enhanced protection when the rollout reaches your phone. It is opt-in, so do not assume it is active automatically. Google has not disclosed the precise menu path for every device.

4. Treat messages from unsaved numbers cautiously even when Android shows no warning. Do not open an unfamiliar link or act on an account request until you independently confirm who sent it.

5. If someone claiming to be a bank asks you to share your screen, enter a forwarding code or provide account information, end the conversation and contact the bank through a trusted channel. Bank-call verification only works with participating financial institutions.

6. Protect important accounts with a hardware security key where the service supports one. This gives families stronger protection than relying only on codes that scammers may try to intercept.