New scam detection feature uses Google’s communication apps to verify callers in real time

Google has announced a significant expansion of its scam protection for Android devices, targeting the growing threat of deepfake voice calls and impersonation fraud. The new feature, which builds on a system debuted last month for verified financial calls, now extends to all contacts in your phonebook. It will be available on devices running Android 12 or later, but requires installation of three Google apps: Phone by Google, Contacts, and Google Messages. While these apps come preloaded on Pixel and Motorola phones, and Samsung has shifted to Google Messages for its latest models, users of other devices may need to download them separately.

How the caller verification system works

Impersonation scams have become increasingly sophisticated, with scammers using AI voice cloning tools to mimic the voices of friends, family, or colleagues. According to the FTC, losses from such scams reached nearly $3 billion in 2024 alone. The new Android feature addresses this by verifying whether an incoming call genuinely originates from the contact it claims to be. When a call arrives, the Phone by Google app checks for a confirmation signal that legitimate carriers send. Spoofed calls, which rely on online relays to fake the caller ID, lack this signal. If the signal is absent, the system triggers an automated verification request via Google Messages, sending an authenticated RCS ping to the supposed caller’s phone. If that device confirms it is not placing the call, the user sees an immediate alert warning them that the person on the line may not be who they appear to be.

This approach has a key limitation: the person being impersonated must also have the same trio of Google apps installed and active. If they use a different dialer—like Samsung’s native Phone app or OnePlus Contacts—the verification will fail. Google acknowledges this but believes the feature will still catch a large portion of spoofing attempts, especially as more OEMs adopt Google Messages by default. The company is also working on expanding compatibility with third-party dialers in future updates.

Additional anti-scam measures in the Android ecosystem

This latest feature joins a broader suite of anti-fraud tools Google has deployed across Android. Pixel phones already offer on-device AI that detects suspicious call behavior, such as rapid speech or unusual requests. Google Messages also includes real-time scam identification for SMS, warning users about potential phishing links or fraudulent messages. These tools are part of a push to restore consumer confidence in using phones for sensitive transactions, as some regulators in countries like the UK and Australia have advised against using mobile devices for banking due to scam risks.

The new verification system is expected to roll out gradually through updates to the Phone by Google and Messages apps, starting later this month. Users will need to opt in to the feature, which can be enabled in the app settings. Google emphasizes that all processing happens on-device, protecting privacy while still providing effective detection.

AI fashion features expand to more devices

Alongside security updates, Google is introducing new AI-powered fashion tools. The “Find the Look” feature in Circle to Search, which debuted earlier this year on Pixel 10 and Galaxy S26, is now coming to all devices running Android 14 or higher. This tool analyzes images displayed on the screen, identifying clothing and accessories. When a user circles an item, a prompt appears to “Find the Look,” which then details individual garments—from jackets and shirts to shoes and accessories—and provides shopping links or similar items.

Additionally, Google Photos will soon gain a new AI-assisted fashion engine. It will catalog outfits users wear in their photos, creating a virtual wardrobe that can be browsed, organized, and even used to generate AI images of the user wearing those outfits. However, Google advises users to view these images as inspiration only, as the AI may not accurately represent real-world fit or color.

AirDrop support broadens across Android OEMs

Google’s implementation of Near Share (which now includes Apple AirDrop compatibility) is expanding to more Android phones. Previously limited to recent Pixels and Samsung flagships, support now extends to models from OnePlus, Xiaomi, Vivo, and HONOR. The newly supported devices include Samsung Galaxy S25 series, Z Fold/Flip 7, Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold/Flip 6, OnePlus 15, Xiaomi 17T Pro (announced early), Vivo X300 series, and HONOR Magic V6. Sharing files from Android to iPhone still requires the iPhone to have AirDrop set to “everyone for 10 minutes”; contact-only mode remains unavailable for Android senders. Google continues to work with Apple on improving cross-platform sharing, but no timeline has been announced for contact-based support.

These updates reflect Google’s ongoing effort to balance security, AI integration, and ecosystem expansion. As deepfake technology evolves, the company is prioritizing user safety while also leveraging AI for practical, everyday tasks like shopping and wardrobe management. The combination of on-device verification and cloud-based AI tools aims to keep Android users both protected and engaged.

Source: Ars Technica News