Google adds deepfake call warnings to Android and expands AirDrop support

In short: Google is rolling out new Android updates that warn about possible fake calls and add AirDrop sharing to more Android phones.

What happened

Google announced a new scam detection feature aimed at deepfake phone calls. Deepfakes are fakes made with AI, like a voice copy that can sound like someone you know. Google says scammers often spoof a phone number so it looks like a real contact is calling.

The feature works on phones running Android 12 or newer, but it requires three Google apps: Phone by Google, Contacts, and Google Messages. When a call comes in that claims to be from one of your contacts, the apps try to confirm the call is real. It is a bit like a quick “secret handshake” between phones, and spoofed calls often cannot do it.

There is an important limit. The person calling you must also be using those same three Google apps, otherwise the check cannot be done and you will not get the warning.

Google also said more Android phones can now send files to iPhones using Apple AirDrop, but only on certain devices. The newly listed phones include recent Samsung Galaxy models (such as the S24 and S25 lines and Z Fold and Flip models), OnePlus 15, Xiaomi 17T Pro, Vivo X300 and X300 Pro, and HONOR Magic V6. iPhones still must be set to accept AirDrop from “anyone for 10 minutes,” and Android-to-iPhone sharing still does not support contact-based sharing.

Why it matters

Phone scams that imitate a trusted person can be hard to spot, especially when the voice sounds real. A clear warning on your phone could help you pause before sending money or sharing personal details.

Source: Arstechnica