How to enable AI scam detection on your Android smartphone

It feels like a regular day while you’re scrolling through your phone when a message pops up claiming you’ve won a free vacation. Sounds amazing, right? Except in today’s AI-powered world, that “vacation” might be a sophisticated scam designed to steal your data.

With AI technology racing forward at breakneck speed, the line between real and fake has begun lingering dangerously closer to blurry. Scammers are now wielding AI tools to create convincing fake messages, calls, and websites that could fool even the most tech-savvy among us.

However, tech giants, like Google, are actively participating today to develop AI scam detection features that are equipped to identify and isolate fraud attempts. If you’re wondering how to implement it into your phone — here’s how:

AI scam detection on Android: What's new and how does it work?

At Google I/O 2024, the brand announced its plans to introduce AI-powered scam detection features for Android smartphones. However, in more recent news, Google mentioned how select devices will be able to benefit from this feature and implement it for calls as well as messages.

ALSO READ: How to block spam calls on iPhones

According to the company, the feature will only be available for smartphones running Android version 6 and above. Apart from this, it also mentions how users need to have a working Google Phone app. Once you’ve determined that your device is eligible, here are some of the steps you will need to follow to block scam phone calls:

Step 1: Open the phone app on your Android smartphone

Step 2: At the top right, you will find a three-dot menu; tap on it

Step 3: Here, you will find Settings and then Caller ID and Spam option

Step 4: Switch the Caller ID and Spam option on to enable it

Step 5: You alternatively choose Filter Spam Calls to ensure you are not disturbed by a potential scammer

To block messages, here are the steps you will need to follow:

Step 1: Check that your Google Messages app is updated; tap to open

Step 2: Tap on the profile icon at the top right corner

Step 3: Locate Settings, within which you should find the Spam Protection option

Step 4: Toggle it on to enable this feature

On doing this, Google Messages will automatically sieve out spam messages. You will additionally be given an option to ‘Report and Block’ a spam message. With these, you should be good to go. However, despite all the technology at our fingertips, it is still recommended to remain vigilant online at all times. For more news, visit and subscribe to Unboxed by Croma.