Android boosts security with alerts for users accessing financial apps during suspicious calls

Google is adding a new layer of protection to Android phones to help users stay safe from growing phone-based scams. The company has introduced an upgraded in-call scam protection feature that works in real time, especially during situations where people are most likely to fall for fraud, when someone calls pretending to be from a bank and asks the user to open a payment app. With this update, Google aims to break the fraud attempt before any money is lost.

The system only functions when two conditions are met, you are on a call with an unknown number and you access a supported financial app. At that point, Android displays a clear warning on the screen, indicating that the call may be unsafe. With a single tap, the user can end the call or discontinue screen sharing, restricting a scammer's chance to convince them. These types of real-time alerts are becoming increasingly vital as fraud attempts get more sophisticated and convincing.

This protection works on devices running Android 11 or above, and one of its smartest features is the 30-second delay that appears if the user decides to continue the action. Google says this pause is meant to help the person stop and think, as many victims realise something is wrong only after they complete a transaction. A small moment of reflection can prevent a major loss.

Google admitted that India is one of the nations where this feature will be tested first. It is being pushed out in collaboration with financial apps such as Google Pay, Paytm, and Navi, which are frequently targets for scammers. When a user opens one of these apps while on a potentially hazardous call, Android quickly warns them. Similar experiments in the UK have already helped thousands of people escape scammers, and Google is now expanding similar protection to new regions and financial partners.

For users, this update brings practical benefits. Many scams today rely on impersonation rather than hacking, so a timely warning can prevent panic-driven mistakes. With digital payments rising across India, this kind of protection strengthens Android’s commitment to safer online transactions and smarter scam detection. As Google continues expanding this feature across apps, regions and devices, Android users will gain a more secure environment for handling money, banking and financial apps, especially in moments when they need protection the most.

Information referenced in this article is from India Today