Google Messages Beta Adds Third Protection Tier for Unknown Senders

Google has begun distributing a third protection tier in Messages for Android, appearing in beta build 20261020_00_RC00. The mode arrives with three components: Scam Detection, link protection, and redesigned warnings for messages from numbers outside a user's contacts.

Google Messages has offered Standard Protection, which blocks spam and flags suspicious links. The new tier adds cloud-based Gemini models to assess conversation context and identify a sender's intent when the correspondent is unknown to the user. Google says this approach handles novel and sophisticated attacks better than detection that runs on the device.

Messages sent to the cloud for analysis are encrypted and processed through Android's Private AI Compute system, in an environment Google describes as private to the user and unavailable to others, including Google. The second component pairs the on-device Gemini Nano model with live web signals to evaluate unfamiliar links before a tap. That capability runs on the Pixel 10 and newer, the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, the Galaxy Z Flip 8, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8, along with other select devices. The third component alters warnings for links from numbers not saved in contacts, providing additional time and context before a user proceeds.

The mode is opt-in. Users enable it through Messages settings under Protection & safety, where the menu offers Enhanced protection, Standard protection, and No protection. Google labels the last option as not recommended.

Google announced the feature earlier this month. The rollout is now underway in the beta channel.