Google rolled out a new protection in June 2026 that automatically warns Android users when an incoming call might be an AI voice impersonation of someone in their contacts. There's nothing to set up — it works in the background the moment you receive the call.
Here's how it works: when someone calls you from a number you've saved as a contact, Android silently verifies through an end-to-end encrypted RCS handshake whether the call is really coming from that contact's device. If it can't confirm the match, your screen shows a warning telling you to be careful before you continue the conversation.
The feature launched June 2, 2026, and is rolling out to Android 12 and newer through the Phone by Google app, starting with Pixel devices.
This is a direct answer to one of the most upsetting AI scams in circulation: a criminal clones the voice of a family member using a short audio clip — often from social media — then calls pretending that person is in an emergency and needs money immediately. Because the voice sounds so convincing, people panic and act before stopping to think.
What it doesn't cover. The protection only works when the call comes from a number saved in your contacts and when both you and the caller are using RCS-capable devices with the Phone by Google app. It won't catch scams from unknown numbers, calls through other dialer apps, or impersonations that don't involve a saved contact. In other words, it's a meaningful layer of protection — not a complete shield.
To go further, read our guide on how to tell if a phone call voice is AI, or explore AI scam call blockers that can filter suspicious calls before they even reach you.