# Google adds AI‑powered scam protection to Android Messages

> New optional “enhanced protection” uses Gemini AI to scan suspicious texts and links, rolling out to many Android phones in the coming weeks.

Oossa · 2026-10-14 · https://oossa.com/en/google-adds-ai-powered-scam-protection-to-android-messages

Google is adding a new optional setting called “enhanced protection” to Google Messages on Android phones. The feature uses cloud‑based Gemini AI models to evaluate messages from unknown senders and flag possible scams. It also runs a smaller on‑device Gemini Nano model to check URLs before you open them. The company says the analysis happens in an encrypted, dedicated space that only the user can access.

## What else is changing?

Alongside the AI scan, Google is blocking apps from turning on call forwarding without permission and will alert you if an app tries. When you share your screen in Chrome or Android WebView, the system will automatically hide sensitive information. The original scam‑detection alerts that appeared on Pixel phones last year are being expanded to phones from Honor, Motorola, Oppo, OnePlus, Realme, Tecno, Vivo, Xiaomi and others, with “hundreds of millions of additional users” expected later this year.

## The facts

- The enhanced protection setting will roll out in the coming weeks.
- It uses cloud Gemini AI models and on‑device Gemini Nano AI.
- User data is encrypted during AI analysis and Google cannot access it.
- The feature will be opt‑in, not forced on all users.
- Google aims to reach hundreds of millions of users with scam detection later in 2026.

## Why it matters

If you get a text from an unknown number, the AI can warn you before you click a malicious link, reducing the chance of falling for phishing scams. The opt‑in design means you can try the protection without changing how your phone normally works. It’s still unclear how quickly the feature will appear on non‑Pixel devices and whether it will affect battery life.

## Sources & references

1. [Android is using AI to suss out scammers in Google Messages](https://www.theverge.com/tech/1010928/android-scam-protection-enhanced-protection-google-messages) – The Verge, 2026-10-14

Last updated: 2026-10-14