{"id":481238,"date":"2026-05-12T18:07:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T18:07:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/481238\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T18:07:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T18:07:19","slug":"google-details-12-new-android-security-features-for-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/481238\/","title":{"rendered":"Google details 12 new Android security features for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>TL;DR<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Google has detailed a long list of Android security and privacy upgrades for 2026, including protections against banking scam calls, device theft, malware, and fake Android builds.<\/li>\n<li>Android 17 will add new privacy features like temporary precise location sharing, improved contact access controls, and stronger Advanced Protection safeguards.<\/li>\n<li>Google is also expanding AI-powered threat detection, adding APK malware scanning in Chrome.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Google has taken to The Android Show I\/O Edition to drop a barrage of very important announcements, including a whole new category of laptops called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/googlebooks-launch-features-brands-availability-3664950\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Googlebooks<\/a>, a new agentic AI approach for smartphones with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/gemini-intelligence-3665302\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Gemini Intelligence<\/a>, multiple new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-auto-google-io-2026-features-material-3-widgets-video-apps-3665474\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Android Auto features<\/a>, and more. Among the announcements, Google also detailed several new and previously known Android security features that users can expect to roll out this year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t want to miss the best from Android Authority?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/andauth.co\/AAGooglePreferredSource\" class=\"e_oo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\"><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  title=\"google preferred source badge light@2x\"  alt=\"google preferred source badge light@2x\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png\"\/><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  title=\"google preferred source badge dark@2x\"  alt=\"google preferred source badge dark@2x\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In light of the evolving threat landscape and the increasingly sophisticated tricks bad actors use to trap Android users, Google is making some welcome updates to existing Android features, including scam call protection, Live Threat Detection, Theft Protection, and others. Many of these features will roll out with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-17-3561251\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Android 17<\/a>. Here\u2019s everything Google has announced and when you can expect to get it on your Android devices.<\/p>\n<p>New security features for Android\n<\/p>\n<p>1. Android will automatically end spoofed banking scam calls\n<\/p>\n<p>Google is introducing verified financial calls to Android, a feature we first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-verified-caller-3656752\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">spotted<\/a>\u00a0in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/authority-insights\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">APK teardown<\/a> back in April. The new anti-scam tool is designed to stop callers from impersonating banks and financial institutions. If Android detects that a call claiming to come from your bank is fake, the system will automatically end that call even before the scammer can get through.<\/p>\n<p>The feature works by checking with supported banking apps installed on your phone to verify whether the institution is actually calling you. Google says the rollout will begin on Android 11 and newer devices in the coming weeks, with support from banks including Revolut, Ita\u00fa, and Nubank to begin with.<\/p>\n<p>2. Live Threat Detection is getting smarter<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  title=\"Live Threat Detection Android\"  alt=\"Live Threat Detection Android\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Live-Threat-Detection-Android.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Google is expanding Android\u2019s AI-powered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/play-protect-live-threat-detection-rollout-3499069\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Live Threat Detection<\/a> feature with new protections against suspicious app behavior. Android will now warn users about apps that secretly forward SMS messages and abuse accessibility permissions.<\/p>\n<p>Android 17 will also introduce \u201cdynamic signal monitoring,\u201d a feature that will allow Google to flag apps that hide their icons before launching malicious activity in the background. Google says dynamic signal monitoring will also allow it to push new threat-detection rules in real time to better combat emerging malware techniques. It will start rolling out in the second half of the year on select devices.<\/p>\n<p>3. Chrome on Android will scan APK downloads for malware<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  title=\"Google Chrome Android malicious APK check\"  alt=\"Google Chrome Android malicious APK check\" src=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Google-Chrome-Android-malicious-APK-check.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Hadlee Simons \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n<p>Chrome on Android is getting an additional layer of protection against harmful APK downloads. The feature was previously <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/google-chrome-android-scan-downloaded-apk-files-3527696\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">spotted<\/a> in Chrome Canary for Android. If <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/chrome-for-android-safe-browsing-660440\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Safe Browsing<\/a> is enabled, Chrome will evaluate APK files for known malware before they are downloaded. This could protect users by potentially preventing malicious apps from being installed.<\/p>\n<p>4. Advanced Protection is expanding significantly<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  title=\"android 16 advanced protection hands on 3\"  alt=\"Advanced Protection page on a Pixel running Android 16.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/android-16-advanced-protection-hands-on-3-scaled.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Joe Maring \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n<p>Google is adding several new safeguards to Android\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-16-advanced-protection-mode-2-3566064\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Advanced Protection mode<\/a> in Android 17. These include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Blocking accessibility service access for apps that are not accessibility tools. This is something Google already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-17-beta-2-advanced-protection-mode-accessibility-apps-3648860\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">rolled out with Android 17 Beta 2<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Disabling device-to-device unlocking.<\/li>\n<li>Disabling Chrome WebGPU support. We <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-advanced-protection-mode-disable-chrome-webgpu-apk-teardown-3647502\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">spotted this option<\/a> within Android\u2019s Advanced Protection Mode earlier this month.<\/li>\n<li>Adding scam detection for chat notifications.<\/li>\n<li>Adding Android Enterprise support later this year for managed devices (coming later this year).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Google also confirmed that USB protection is now available on all Pixel devices running Android 16 and newer, and will be coming to more Android devices soon.<\/p>\n<p>5. Mark as lost now adds biometric protection<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  title=\"Google Mark As Lost\"  alt=\"Google Mark As Lost\" src=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Google-Mark-As-Lost.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Android\u2019s \u201cMark as lost\u201d feature in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-settings-find-hub-rebrand-3564677\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Find Hub<\/a> is becoming more powerful in Android 17. Once enabled, users can set their devices to require biometric authentication to regain access. That means even if someone knows your PIN or password, they won\u2019t be able to access your device without your fingerprint or face if you mark it as lost.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, Google says that triggering Mark as lost will now also disable new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections while hiding the Quick Settings menu.<\/p>\n<p>6. Theft protections are becoming the default-on<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  title=\"pixel drop october theft protection\"  alt=\"pixel drop october theft protection\" src=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pixel-drop-october-theft-protection.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Following a pilot in Brazil, Google says it\u2019s expanding default-enabled theft protection features globally. On Android 17 devices, Remote Lock and Theft Detection Lock will automatically turn on by default after setup, reset, or upgrade.<\/p>\n<p>Google is also extending these protections to Android 10 and newer devices in countries including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and the UK due to high demand.<\/p>\n<p>7. Android is making PIN guessing attacks harder<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  title=\"Android biometric prompt dialog with PIN fallback\"  alt=\"Android biometric prompt dialog with PIN fallback\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Android_biometric_prompt_dialog_with_PIN_fallback-scaled.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Mishaal Rahman \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n<p>Android biometric prompt dialog with PIN fallback<\/p>\n<p>Google says Android 17 will limit the number of failed PIN or password attempts attackers can make. It\u2019s unclear whether this limit is different from <a href=\"https:\/\/security.googleblog.com\/2026\/01\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">what Google announced earlier this year<\/a>. The company says Android 17 will also add longer delays between attempts and improve how lock screen information is shown after repeated failures.<\/p>\n<p>8. You\u2019ll be able to temporarily share your precise location<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  title=\"Temporary precise location sharing Android 17\"  alt=\"Temporary precise location sharing Android 17\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Temporary-precise-location-sharing-Android-17.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>With Android 17, Google is also introducing a new, temporary precise location-sharing button. So instead of granting permanent location access to an app or service, you\u2019ll be able to allow access to your precise location only while the app is actively open.<\/p>\n<p>Google says this is designed for quick tasks like finding nearby businesses without giving apps continuous background access. The feature is already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-17-beta-3-location-button-3652768\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">available on Android 17 Beta 3<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>9. Android is improving location transparency<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  title=\"Android Location Privacy Indicator on a Pixel 9 Pro 2\"  alt=\"Android Location Privacy Indicator on a Pixel 9 Pro 2\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Android-Location-Privacy-Indicator-on-a-Pixel-9-Pro-2.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Similar to Android\u2019s camera and microphone indicators, Android 17 will show a more visible location usage indicator whenever apps access your location. This feature, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-16-qpr3-location-indicator-3626212\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">first spotted in Android 16 QPR3<\/a>, lets you\u00a0tap the indicator to see which apps have recently used location access and manage permissions immediately.<\/p>\n<p>10. Apps will get more limited access to your contacts<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  title=\"Android 17 Contact Picker\"  alt=\"Example screenshots of Android 17's Contact Picker in action.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Android-17-Contact-Picker-scaled.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Google is launching a new contact picker that lets apps request access only to specific contacts instead of an entire address book. Apps can also request access only to certain contact fields, and that access will be temporary. This is something we first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-17-contacts-picker-rumor-3615741\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">spotted last November<\/a>, and Google recently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-17-contact-picker-explained-3652035\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">made it official<\/a> in March this year.<\/p>\n<p>11. Android 17 will verify whether your OS build is legitimate<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  title=\"Android OS verification\"  alt=\"Android OS verification\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Android-OS-verification.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Google is introducing Android OS verification to help users confirm whether their device is running an official Android build. Launching first on Pixel phones, the feature is meant to combat modified Android versions that appear legitimate while secretly compromising security.<\/p>\n<p>Google is also introducing a public append-only ledger that cryptographically verifies official Google apps and GMS APIs.<\/p>\n<p>12. Android is protecting OTPs and preparing for post-quantum threats<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"e_Hh\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  title=\"Two-factor authentication code in notification\"  alt=\"Two-factor authentication code in notification\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/OTP_code_in_notification_hero_image.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Mishaal Rahman \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n<p>Android will now automatically hide one-time passwords from most apps for three hours to prevent malicious apps from stealing authentication codes. The feature has already rolled out in <a href=\"https:\/\/developer.android.com\/about\/versions\/17\/release-notes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Android 17 Beta 2<\/a> and should reach users more widely with the stable release.<\/p>\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-post-quantum-cryptography-3651834\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">announced back in March<\/a>, Android 17 is also adding support for Post-Quantum Cryptography and improved 2G network protections, allowing carriers to disable 2G by default in areas where the technology is no longer maintained.<\/p>\n<p>Thank you for being part of our community. Read our\u00a0<a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-authority-comment-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.androidauthority.com\/android-authority-comment-policy\/\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">Comment Policy<\/a> before posting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"TL;DR Google has detailed a long list of Android security and privacy upgrades for 2026, including protections against&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":481239,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[257],"tags":[821,59527,18,823,19,17,279,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-481238","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mobile","8":"tag-android","9":"tag-android-17","10":"tag-eire","11":"tag-google","12":"tag-ie","13":"tag-ireland","14":"tag-mobile","15":"tag-technology"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116562943029436994","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/481238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=481238"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/481238\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/481239"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=481238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=481238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=481238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}