New safety features in Android 16 to stop phone scams
Google is enhancing safety for Android users with new features in Android 16, which might also come to Samsung phones with the One UI 8 update.
Scammers often try to fool people into giving them control over their phones or making them download unsafe apps. To tackle this, Android 16 will stop some actions during calls that scammers typically exploit. These updates were first noticed by Mishaal Rahman, as reported by Android Authority.
Sideloading, which is when you install apps from places other than the official app store, is usually turned off for security. But scammers convince people to turn it on during calls. Android 16 will now block this change while you’re on a call. If you attempt to adjust these settings, you’ll see a warning message advising you that this might be a scam tactic.
Moreover, scammers try to trick users into granting “accessibility” permissions to apps. This permission lets apps take over your phone and see everything on your screen. With Android 16, altering these permissions during calls will be restricted, making it tougher for scammers to manipulate your device.
These security measures are already in the Android 16 Beta and will be included in the full release later this year. They expanded on last year’s Android 15 feature, Enhanced Confirmation Mode, which made it tougher for apps installed outside the Play Store to access private settings. Thanks to these updates in Android 16, Samsung’s One UI 8 could also introduce these protections, making Galaxy phones safer for users.
