Overview
- Google announced the feature on Tuesday and began rolling it out globally this month to Android 12 and later devices, with Pixel phones first to receive the update.
- When both caller and recipient use Phone by Google with RCS enabled, the caller’s device sends a silent, end-to-end encrypted confirmation signal to verify the call is coming from that device.
- If the confirmation signal is missing the recipient’s phone pings the contact’s actual device to check whether they are placing the call and shows an on‑screen warning if the contact confirms they are not calling.
- The protection is on by default and can be turned off in Phone by Google settings, but it only works when both people use Phone by Google, Google Messages/Contacts, and have RCS active, leaving gaps for iPhone users and other dialers.
- Google built the system on the open RCS standard so other apps and device makers can adopt the same verification method, a step that could widen coverage but still depends on broader industry and network adoption to fully curb deepfake call fraud.