Android users are getting new features to stay safe from frauds, scams, and theft

Android safety features

Google has unveiled a comprehensive suite of security and privacy enhancements for Android in 2025, focusing on combating scams, preventing phone theft, and safeguarding high-risk users. Here’s an overview of the key updates:

Enhanced scam and fraud detection

To address the surge in digital scams, Android’s security features will now On-Device AI Scam Detection. Google Messages employs on-device AI to identify and alert users about potential scams, including phishing and investment frauds, without compromising user privacy.  Furthermore, Android will block app sideloading and the granting of accessibility permissions during calls with unknown contacts, preventing potential scams.

Google will also issue warnings when users attempt to open sensitive apps, like banking apps, while screen sharing during calls, reducing the risk of screen-sharing scams. “When you launch a participating banking app while screen sharing with an unknown contact, your Android device will warn you about the potential dangers and give you the option to end the call and to stop screen sharing with one tap,” said Google in a blog post.

Key verifier feature

Google is adding a new security layer to Messages aimed at outsmarting one of the oldest tricks in the scammer playbook: impersonation. The new feature, called Key Verifier, lets you double-check that the person you’re messaging is actually who they say they are — not just someone who got hold of your friend’s number.

Here’s how it works. Every time you message someone using end-to-end encryption in Google Messages, both of you have encryption keys that keep the chat private. With Key Verifier, you can now compare those keys — either by scanning a QR code or matching a short string of numbers — inside the Google Contacts app. If the keys match, you know the conversation is secure and with the intended person. If not, something might be off.

Let’s say a scammer pulls a SIM swap and uses your friend’s phone number to message you from another device. With Key Verifier, that friend’s contact in your phone will show as “not verified,” alerting you that the sender may not be who they claim to be. It’s a subtle but powerful way to flag red flags early — and stop scams before they get personal.

Google says Key Verifier will roll out later this summer to Android devices running Android 10 or later. Think of it as an identity check for your most sensitive conversations — no extra app, no tech degree required.

Other key features

Google is also baking in new features to deter phone theft and unauthorized access. There’s the Auto-Reboot feature where devices automatically reboot after three days of inactivity, requiring a PIN upon restart, thereby protecting user data on stolen devices.  Theft Detection Lock will detect potential theft scenarios, such as sudden movements, and locks the device to prevent unauthorised access