Google has announced a comprehensive suite of new security and privacy features for Android devices in 2025, focusing on protecting users from sophisticated scams, fraud, and theft.
These enhancements build upon Android's existing protections, which security experts have consistently ranked highest in security, with Pixel 9 Pro leading in anti-fraud efficacy.
Enhanced Protections Against Phone Call Scams
A key focus of the update is protection against phone scammers who attempt to trick users into performing specific security-compromising actions. Android's new in-call protections will prevent users from taking risky actions during calls with non-contacts, including:
- Disabling Google Play Protect
- Sideloading an app for the first time from various sources
- Granting accessibility permissions that could allow malicious apps to gain control
Additionally, Android will automatically prompt users to stop screen sharing at the end of calls, providing protection against increasingly common screen sharing scams where fraudsters impersonate trusted institutions.
Banking App Protection Pilot
Google is piloting enhanced in-call protections specifically for banking apps, starting in the UK. When users launch participating banking apps while screen sharing with unknown contacts, the device will warn about potential dangers and offer options to end the call and stop screen sharing with one tap. Initial partners include Monzo, NatWest, and Revolut.
AI-Powered Scam Detection Improvements
Google has expanded its AI-powered Scam Detection in Google Messages and Phone by Google to protect against a wider variety of sophisticated scams, including:
- Toll road and billing fee scams
- Crypto scams
- Financial impersonation scams
- Gift card and prize scams
- Technical support scams
The technology uses on-device AI processing to maintain privacy while warning users in real-time about suspicious conversation patterns.
Key Verifier to Combat Impersonation
A new tool called Key Verifier will help protect against impersonation by allowing users to verify the identity of message recipients through public encryption keys.
By scanning QR codes or comparing numbers in Google Contacts, users gain an additional layer of assurance that they're communicating with the intended person rather than a scammer.
Enhanced Theft Protection
Google is strengthening its comprehensive mobile theft protection features, which have already helped protect data on hundreds of thousands of potentially stolen devices. New enhancements include:
- Identity Check expansion beyond Pixel and Samsung devices to more manufacturers with Android 16
- Hardened Factory Reset protections to restrict functionalities on unauthorized resets
- Additional security for one-time passwords received when phones are locked
- More control over Remote Lock with security challenge questions
Advanced Protection Program for Android 16
Android 16 will extend Google's Advanced Protection Program with a device-level security setting, providing the strongest protections against sophisticated threats. This feature combines existing highly-rated security capabilities with new innovations like Intrusion Logging, which securely backs up device logs for forensic analysis if compromise is suspected.
Google Play Protect is also receiving intelligence upgrades to detect and alert users about apps that attempt to hide or change their icons, with this feature coming to Pixel 6+ and select new devices in the coming months.
These continuous security advancements demonstrate Google's ongoing commitment to keeping Android users safe from emerging digital threats through close collaboration with partners across the Android ecosystem and the broader security community.