These protections complement Android 16’s security enhancements and are designed to reduce scam exposure across mobile messaging.

These features come built into Google Messages by default and require the latest app version, with setup centered on a Google account and active end-to-end encryption.

Safer Links flags suspicious messages and can block harmful websites, reducing phishing risk even from trusted contacts.

When a trusted contact sends a suspicious link, Safer Links alerts the user and auto-blocks the message, moving it to Spam & blocked.

Google has introduced two new protections for Android messaging to curb scams: Safer Links in Messages and a Key Verifier tool.

To use Key Verifier, open the conversation or contact profile, choose Verify keys, and compare codes, with face-to-face verification recommended for maximum security.

Key Verifier lets users scan a contact’s QR code to verify encryption keys, helping confirm the contact’s identity and build trust in conversations.