How to Enable Android's New Scam Protections in Google Messages

Android is adding stronger tools against mobile scams. The biggest change is an opt-in Enhanced protection mode in Google Messages that uses cloud Gemini models and on-device AI to catch sophisticated threats.

Google announced the features on October 14, 2026. Enhanced protection rolls out over the coming weeks. It builds on existing Scam Detection that already flags more than 5 million suspected scam calls and texts each month.

What the New Protections Cover

Enhanced protection mode unlocks three layers in Google Messages:

• Cloud analysis with Private AI Compute for slow-burn conversations with unknown senders.
• On-device Gemini Nano link checks that use real-time web signals for unfamiliar URLs.
• Redesigned warnings that give extra time and context before you tap links from numbers not in your contacts.

Other updates expand chat notification scam alerts to more devices, add automatic screen-share privacy for Chrome and WebView on Android 15+, and block quiet call-forwarding attempts.

The cloud analysis runs in Private AI Compute. Your data stays encrypted in a secure space that Google cannot access. On-device checks keep message content local.

Check Device Support

Not every feature works on every phone. Google lists requirements in the announcement footnotes.

Cloud Scam Detection with Private AI Compute works on Pixel 6 and newer, Galaxy S24 series and newer, Galaxy Z Flip/Z Fold 6 and newer, and other Android AICore devices.

Gemini Nano link checks need Pixel 10 and newer, Galaxy S26 series, Galaxy Z Flip 8 or Z Fold 8, or other select devices.

Link warnings work on Android 6 and later. Screen-share privacy rolls out to Android 15+ devices this month. Call-forwarding protection arrives in early December on Pixel and select devices.

Update Google Messages and Android system services first so the new settings appear.

Turn On Enhanced Protection Mode

The setting is opt-in and appears under spam and scam options once the rollout reaches your device.

1. Open Google Messages.
2. Tap your profile picture or the three-dot menu.
3. Select Settings.
4. Look for Spam protection or Scam protection.
5. Enable Enhanced protection if the toggle is available.
6. Confirm any prompts about cloud analysis.

Once on, Messages uses the stronger models for unknown senders. Existing on-device detection continues for all conversations.

If the option is missing, wait a few days and check for app updates. Rollout is gradual.

For related setup tips, see the guide on Android Advanced Protection.

Use the Link and Notification Protections

With Enhanced protection active, unfamiliar links get an extra Gemini Nano check before you open them. You also see clearer checkpoints on links from unknown numbers.

Chat notification alerts now expand beyond Pixel. Supported makers include Honor, Infinix, Motorola, OnePlus, Oppo, Tecno, vivo, and Xiaomi. A “likely scam” label appears in the notification shade before you open the app.

Screen-share sessions on Android 15+ automatically hide sensitive fields in Chrome and WebView, such as passwords and payment details. Call-forwarding protection warns if an app or code tries to redirect your calls in the background.

Additional Tips for Safer Messaging

Keep Google Messages updated through the Play Store. Enable standard Spam protection even if you skip the enhanced mode.

Never share one-time codes, passwords, or payment details in a text conversation, even if the sender claims to be your bank. Verify suspicious requests by calling the official number yourself.

Review app permissions regularly. Limit which apps can access SMS or phone state.

For verified bank calls, Android works with partners such as Banco do Brasil and Itaú to hang up spoofed numbers in real time. The feature has already blocked more than 3 million fake calls in some markets.

Conclusion

Enhanced protection mode gives Google Messages stronger tools against complex scams without sending your data to Google. Enable it when the toggle appears, confirm your device supports the features you want, and combine it with basic habits such as verifying requests outside the chat.

The updates roll out over the coming weeks. Check Settings in Google Messages and Android system updates for the latest options.

Sources: Google Security Blog announcement (October 14, 2026), device footnotes in the same post.