Samsung Galaxy S26 owners will soon have a new layer of protection against fraud, thanks to an expansion of Google’s Scam Detection feature. Originally exclusive to Pixel devices, the technology will roll out with the launch of the S26, offering real-time analysis of calls and messages to identify and flag potential scams.
The Scam Detection feature, which first appeared on Pixel phones in after a three-month beta period, leverages on-device artificial intelligence to assess the risk of fraudulent activity. This means the analysis happens directly on the phone, preserving user privacy by avoiding the transmission of conversation data to the cloud. Google intends to expand availability of this feature to more manufacturers in the future.
On the Galaxy S26, the system will function similarly to its Pixel counterpart. When a potentially fraudulent call is detected, users will receive both an audio cue and a haptic vibration, ensuring they are alerted even if their phone is in a pocket or bag. The feature is initially designed to work with calls and messages from numbers not already saved in the user’s contacts, minimizing interruptions from known individuals.
The initial rollout of Scam Detection on the Galaxy S26 will be limited to the United States and will only support English language processing. However, Google has indicated plans to expand language support in subsequent updates.
The integration of Scam Detection is facilitated through the Samsung Phone app, utilizing the phone’s existing capabilities without requiring additional software installations. This approach underscores Google’s commitment to embedding security features directly into the Android ecosystem.
Scam Detection in Google Messages Gets a Gemini Boost
Beyond call screening, Google is also enhancing scam detection within its Messages app, powered by the Gemini AI model. This upgrade focuses on identifying more sophisticated scams, particularly those involving job offers and “romance baiting” – also known as “pig butchering” – schemes.
These types of scams are particularly insidious because they often unfold over extended periods, building trust with victims before attempting to defraud them. The Gemini-powered analysis aims to detect subtle conversational patterns that might indicate malicious intent, something traditional scam detection methods often miss. The ability to identify these nuanced threats represents a significant step forward in protecting users from increasingly complex fraud attempts.
The enhanced Google Messages Scam Detection is currently rolling out in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, initially available on both the Pixel 10 and the Samsung Galaxy S26. Google is simultaneously expanding the standard Scam Detection feature in Google Messages to over 20 countries, adding support for Arabic, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish to broaden its reach.
The improvements to Scam Detection highlight a broader trend within Android: a shift towards proactive, AI-driven security. Rather than simply reacting to known threats, the platform is increasingly leveraging on-device AI to anticipate and prevent fraudulent activity before it can impact users. This approach, coupled with a commitment to user privacy through on-device processing, positions Android as a leader in mobile security.
The on-device nature of the Gemini-powered Scam Detection is a key differentiator. Google emphasizes that call audio is processed locally and is not recorded, stored, or shared with external parties, addressing potential privacy concerns associated with cloud-based analysis. This commitment to privacy is likely to be a crucial factor in gaining user trust and encouraging widespread adoption of the feature.
While the initial rollout is limited geographically and linguistically, the expansion of Scam Detection to the Samsung Galaxy S26 represents a significant milestone. It demonstrates Google’s commitment to making these security enhancements available to a wider audience and signals a growing collaboration between Google and Samsung to enhance the Android experience.
