Google expands AI scam detection to Samsung Galaxy S26, more countries

In a blog post, Lyubov Farafonova, Product Manager for Phone by Google, and Alberto Pastor Nieto, Senior Product Manager for Google Messages and RCS Spam and Abuse, said Android’s multi-layered defenses powered by Google AI now help protect users from more than 10 billion suspected malicious calls and messages every month.

The company shared the story of Majik B., an IT professional in Sunnyvale, California, who nearly fell victim to a bank impersonation scam.

Despite his technical background, the call appeared legitimate, with the caller displaying the correct number and personal details.

The turning point came when his Pixel device displayed a Scam Detection warning mid-call, prompting him to hang up and verify directly through his banking app. No suspicious charge was found.

According to Google, Scam Detection for phone calls analyzes speech patterns commonly associated with fraud. The feature is currently available on Google Pixel devices in the United States, Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It is now expanding to more manufacturers, beginning with the Samsung Galaxy S26 series in the US.

The call protection feature is powered by Gemini’s on-device model, meaning audio processing happens locally on the device. Google said conversations are neither stored on the phone nor shared externally. Scam Detection is turned off by default and only applies to calls flagged as potential scams, excluding calls with saved contacts. Users can manage the setting in their phone preferences.

On the messaging side, Scam Detection in Google Messages has been expanded to more than 20 countries, with support for multiple languages including English, Arabic, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Google is also enhancing message analysis using Gemini’s on-device model on the latest Android flagship devices in the US, Canada, and the UK. The upgrade enables more nuanced detection of conversational scams, including job offer fraud and so-called “pig butchering” schemes, where scammers build long-term trust before pushing fake investment opportunities.

These enhanced protections are rolling out on the Google Pixel 10 series and select devices, with availability also planned for the Samsung Galaxy S26 series.

Citing a recent evaluation by Counterpoint Research, Google said Android smartphones provide the most comprehensive AI-powered protections of any mobile platform. The company added that it will continue expanding AI-based defenses as scam tactics evolve, aiming to deliver real-time protection while preserving user privacy through on-device processing.

As mobile fraud becomes more personalized and harder to detect, Google is positioning on-device AI as its frontline defense — designed to intervene at the moment it matters most.