A notice: Because the feature requires a direct interface, you will only see this option in the Android settings once you have installed and set up a supported banking app on your smartphone. Unfortunately, there are not yet many supported banking apps for German customers.
4. Call Screening and Call Reason: Your digital butler
Another effective weapon against unknown numbers is this Call Screening (Call Check). If an unknown number calls, you don’t have to answer it yourself. Instead, Google takes over the conversation as an automated butler. The caller is asked to provide their name and the reason for the call.
Meanwhile, you can read what the caller is saying live on your display and decide at the touch of a button whether to accept the call or block it as spam. This is complemented by the function Call Reasonwhere reputable companies can digitally transmit the reason for the call before they pick up the phone.
Why have I never seen this before and how do I enable it?
Full call screening is currently in place especially on Google Pixel smartphones available. However, the German version differs greatly from the fully automatic US model. In this country you have to activate the filter manually at the moment of the call at the push of a button.
This is what it looks like in practice: You can find the menu item in the settings of the Google Phone app Call filter. There you can select one of two voices for the announcement in advance. If an unknown call comes in, tap the button on the display Check call. Only then does the pixel get started for you, reading the text and transcribing the caller’s answer live on the screen. A large part of the language processing takes place directly on the device, which means that the function reacts quickly and is designed to work without an internet connection.
5. The classic: caller ID and spam protection
Foundry
Basic spam protection in the Google Phone app has been the first line of defense for several Android generations. As soon as a call comes in, the system immediately compares the number with a database of known spam and company numbers maintained by Google.
If the number has already attracted negative attention, the call will be clearly marked as spam. For example, through a glowing display or warnings such as “Suspicion of spam”.
You can configure the app to reject such calls directly. This is supplemented by Verified callswhere legitimate companies with official company logos can be displayed.
The restriction for Germany: The technology also works in this country, but companies must first register with Google. In practice, the function has so far been used primarily by larger companies.
6. Edge protection: SMS spam filter against phishing
Because many phone fraud cases begin with a preparatory SMS (such as fake package notifications with a link), Google has equipped the messaging app Google Messages with extended protection functions.
The app uses automated filtering mechanisms to detect suspicious content. These include typical phishing messages, crypto scams, fake package or competition messages as well as known scam patterns with manipulated links.
Detected messages can be automatically moved to a spam or protected area or marked accordingly. Part of the detection takes place directly on the device, so that no complete analysis via external servers is necessary.
Overview: What protection technology is available for your smartphone?
The availability of these features depends heavily on the smartphone manufacturer and the Android version installed. Google traditionally gives its best features to its own Pixel devices first. However, Samsung users can usually install the Google phone app from the Play Store to unlock compatible services.
| Protection technology | How it works | Android-Version | Availability / Devices |
| Scam Detection | Real-time AI analysis of the conversation for fraud patterns (locally on the device via Gemini Nano). | From Android 16 (First preview from Android 15) | Initially exclusively for Google Pixel (from Pixel 6), expansion to other manufacturers is planned. |
| Fake Call Detection | Digital RCS handshake for identity verification. In the event of fraud, your name and contact photo will be deleted immediately. | Ab Android 12 | Initially rolled out for Google Pixel devices. Later for all devices with the official “Phone by Google” app. |
| Spoofing Protection (Verified Financial Calls) | Automated comparison with installed banking apps (e.g. Revolut) and blocking of purely inbound numbers. | Ab Android 11 | All compatible Android devices with partner finance apps enabled. |
| Call Screening | Google Assistant answers unknown calls and transcribes them live. | Ab Android 10 | Exclusively for Google Pixel smartphones (and select Motorola devices). |
| Caller ID & Spam | Comparison with global databases; Red warning display if spam is suspected. | Ab Android 9 | All Android devices as long as the official Google Phone app is set as default. |
| SMS spam protection | Filters out phishing links, competitions and crypto scams into a separate folder. | Ab Android 8 | All Android devices as long as the official Google Messages app is used. |
Flank protection: This is how you turn the tables
Foundry
You don’t have to wait idly until the latest AI features land on every smartphone across the board. With simple tricks you can give your Android phone an immediate security upgrade:
- The proactive number fraud: Scammers can only call you if they have your number. If you have to provide a telephone number for online competitions, forums or confusing web shops, you can use the free “Frank Answers” service (an initiative of the Digitalcourage association). Simply enter the fake number 0163 1737743 to. If a scammer or advertising bot calls, a digital answering machine takes over and politely but firmly cuts off the conversation.
- Consistent reporting: Did another scammer get through to you? A long press on the entry in your call list is enough to block the number locally and report it as spam to Google. If you want to help the general public, report stubborn phone numbers using the Federal Network Agency’s online forms in order to have such crooks officially cut off the line.
If you want to specifically expand your protection – especially on smartphones that do not fully support Google’s in-house tools – you will find strong alternatives in the Play Store. These apps match incoming calls against extensive databases and cloud-based lists:
- Clever Dialer: A widely used solution in Germany with a focus on data protection. The tool detects local cost traps surprisingly reliably, uses European servers and works without the need to upload your own address book. To the app in the Play Store.
- truecaller: The international top dog. Offers lightning-fast alerts about new scams thanks to millions of users worldwide. But please note: The app requires extensive data sharing. To the app in the Playstore.
- tellows: The community solution. Users rate numbers with a “tellows score” based on potential danger (e.g. “competition” or “ping call”). In addition, entire area codes (e.g. from abroad) can be blocked across the board. To the app in the Play Store.
Important: These apps require system rights (such as access to your contacts and permission to overlay the phone app) to be able to warn in an emergency. Therefore, download such tools without exception from the official Google Play Store down.
Conclusion
Anyone who owns a current Android smartphone is no longer at the mercy of fraudsters. Users of the Google Pixel series in particular benefit from a strong, modern protective shield made up of on-device AI and clever tools like that Fake Call Detection or that Call Screening at the push of a button.
In order for the recommended third-party apps to be able to warn in a timely manner in the event of an emergency, you must grant them the necessary system rights when setting them up – Google’s own on-board tools usually provide these permissions as system apps ex works.
But risks can also be significantly minimized on all other Android cell phones by consistently using the official phone and messages apps from Google and activating the spam filters there.
(PC-Welt)
