Google announced in June 2026 that Android is rolling out a fake call detection feature designed to protect users from AI deepfake impersonation scams. The feature is launching globally through Phone by Google on Android 12 and later devices, beginning with Pixel phones.
The update comes as scammers increasingly spoof trusted phone numbers and use AI tools to mimic the voices of family members, employers, or authority figures. In one example Google cited, a caller ID may display “Mom” while a scammer uses AI to replicate her voice and request money for a fabricated emergency.
The feature works by establishing what Google describes as a “digital handshake between devices.” When a contact using Phone by Google calls you, their device sends a silent confirmation signal to verify the call is genuine. If that signal is absent — as it would be in an impersonation attempt — your device pings the contact’s actual phone to cross-check. “If their real device says, ‘I’m not making a call right now,’ you’ll get a warning on your screen advising you to hang up immediately,” Google explained in a blog post. The feature is enabled by default and operates automatically.
Google built the technology on top of Rich Communication Services (RCS), which may allow other apps and companies to adopt it.
Google also announced several other Android updates alongside the fake call detection launch. A new Google Photos “wardrobe” feature, rolling out next week to eligible users in the U.S., India, and Brazil on Android 10 and later, lets users catalog clothing from their photo library and virtually mix and match outfits. Google Play Books is adding a “Catch me up” recap tool and the ability to highlight passages and ask questions, available today for select English titles. Additionally, the Circle to Search feature can now identify every item in an outfit at once on Android 14 and later devices.
Source: TechCrunch