Pixel phones come with a handy Scam Detection feature that uses on-device AI to analyze calls and messages and spot signs of fraud. After a three-month beta, the feature rolled out to Pixels in March 2025. Almost a year later, the feature is shedding its Pixel-exclusivity and coming to Samsung’s newest flagship: the Galaxy S26.
Scam Detection on the Galaxy S26 will work much like it does on the Pixel. It will rely on on-device Gemini AI to analyze calls and messages in real time and flag potentially fraudulent activity. For privacy reasons, your conversations remain on-device, with no data being uploaded to the cloud.
If it detects something suspicious, the phone will alert you immediately with a warning sound and vibration, making sure you don’t miss the notification even if you’re distracted.
Scam Detection is turned off by default. It also only works for phone calls and messages from unknown numbers, and not for contacts in your phonebook.
While the feature is available in the US, Australia, India, the UK, and a few other countries on the Pixel, Samsung will initially roll it out on the Galaxy S26 only in the US. At launch, it will also support English only, with additional languages likely to follow later.
Scam Detection will work directly with the stock Phone app on the Galaxy S26. Google plans to bring this feature to more devices and users.
Scam Detection in Google Messages gets a Gemini boost
Google is also improving Scam Detection’s capabilities in Google Messages with a little help from Gemini. It can now “better detect the subtle conversational patterns used in job offer scams or sophisticated romance baiting scams.” The latter is particularly noteworthy as such scams potentially play out over days.
The enhanced Scam Detection feature in Google Messages will launch in the US, Canada, and the UK. It is rolling out first to the Pixel 10 and will also be available on the Galaxy S26.
Additionally, Google is expanding the standard Scam Detection experience in Google Messages to more than 20 countries. The feature will support multiple languages, including Arabic, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, making it accessible to a much wider audience.
