Google is introducing a new layer of protection for Android users, teaching Circle to Search and Google Lens in particular how to spot fraudulent messages right on the screen.
As our messaging apps are constantly inundated with sophisticated scams – from fake “delivery fee” claims to strange promises of free money – Google is stepping in to help you spot the fakes at a glance.
It works with the gesture you probably already use: just long-press the home button or navigation bar, circle the suspicious text, and Google will generate an AI summary. This is not just a general warning; It explains why the message looks dangerous, analyzes context from the web to highlight warning signs, and suggests your next step.
If you don’t use gestures, the same technology works in Google Lens. You can simply take a screenshot of the text, open it in the Lens app and immediately get the same analysis. The best part? This will be rolled out globally starting this week. You don’t have to wait for a major system update like Android 16; it’s just arriving. However, Google cautions that the warning will only be displayed if the system is confident that it has found a potential scam.
Why this matters and why you should care
Let’s face it: scam writing gets shockingly good. Bad guys are now using AI to craft perfect texts, mimic official language, and apply psychological pressure to get you to respond immediately. It’s tiring to be constantly on guard, and mistakes can be costly.
This feature is intended to provide you with a “Pause” button. Instead of panicking because you get a text message telling you your bank account is frozen, you get a calm, AI-powered second opinion. By telling you things like “This matches known phishing patterns” or “This message uses urgency to manipulate you,” the tool demystifies the threat in real time.
It’s also privacy-friendly – it happens on your device without you having to send the message to a human reviewer. Combined with other current Android security tools, like the ability to instantly block spam group chats, Google is trying to build a much safer ecosystem for your daily communications.
What happens next?
According to Google, this system will only get smarter as it learns from new fraud trends. Over time, Circle to Search could become a universal warning light for all types of digital threats – not just text messages, but also unsafe websites, QR codes or fake payment requests.
As fraudsters use AI to become faster and smarter, Google is relying on AI-powered defenses to keep up. For you, this means less doubt and a more secure inbox that’s built right into the tools you already use.
