Google is adding an opt-in setting called Enhanced protection to Google Messages. It brings both cloud and on-device scam checks. Google says the mode will roll out over the coming weeks, so it isn’t available yet.
The trade-off is worth understanding before you switch it on. With Enhanced protection enabled, conversations from unknown senders go to Google’s cloud Gemini models for analysis.
What Google Messages Enhanced protection turns on
- Cloud scam checks: Scam Detection can call on Google’s most capable cloud Gemini models to judge messages from unknown senders. Google says this analysis runs in Private AI Compute.
- On-device link checks: Gemini Nano uses real-time web signals to judge whether an unfamiliar link is trustworthy before you tap it.
- Link checkpoints: redesigned warnings appear on links sent from numbers that aren’t saved in your contacts.
Google pitches the mode this way in its announcement:
This new opt-in security setting enables our most powerful and intelligent defenses to help you stay better protected against complex scam threats.
The privacy trade-off
Google says Private AI Compute keeps the cloud analysis private to you, with no access for anyone else, Google included. That is Google’s own assurance about its system, not something androidpure has been able to verify.
So the choice is straightforward. You get stronger checks on scam texts, but message content from strangers leaves your phone for cloud models. Because the setting is opt-in, you can simply leave it off if that matters more to you.
Which phones get which parts
Google’s post gives no single device list for Enhanced protection. Its footnotes split the features instead, and support varies widely between them.
- Gemini Nano link checks: Pixel 10 and later, the Galaxy S26 series, the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold8, and other select devices.
- Link checkpoints: Android 6 and later.
- Cloud analysis via Private AI Compute: no device list given.
In practice, an older or budget phone may get the link checkpoints but not the Gemini Nano link checks. Google also names no country for Enhanced protection. It notes that some features may not be available in all countries.
Call-forwarding warnings come in December
Google says Android blocks apps from switching on call forwarding in the background. Scammers sometimes talk victims into typing a call-forwarding code on the dial pad. In that case, Android warns you before the code takes effect.
Google says this protection arrives in early December on Pixel and other select devices.
Screen-share privacy and chat alerts
During live screen-share sessions, Chrome and Android WebView now blank out login fields and payment screens. Google says this is rolling out this month to phones on Android 15 and later.
Google is also working with phone makers to bring Scam Detection to chat notifications. It expects this to reach hundreds of millions of additional users later this year. The named partners are:
- HONOR
- Infinix
- iQOO
- itel
- JOVI
- Motorola
- OPPO
- OnePlus
- realme
- TECNO
- vivo
- Xiaomi
Google adds that device availability varies by manufacturer. Several brands popular in India are on the list, including itel, Infinix and TECNO. Samsung isn’t among the named partners, though code suggests Scam Detection may reach the Galaxy S25 and Z Fold 7.
Who paid for the study
Google’s claim of the highest level of built-in scam protection rests on a report by Leviathan Security Group. Google commissioned and funded that report. It compared the Pixel 11 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro, Galaxy S26 and Motorola Razr 2026 using free features turned on by default.
Treat that ranking as Google’s claim rather than an independent finding.
Source: Google
