Overview
- Google Messages now warns on suspected spam texts and blocks link visits by default unless the thread is marked not spam, with the protection live globally.
- Key Verifier in Google Messages is available to Android 10+ users, enabling per‑device QR scans to confirm encryption keys and alerting when a contact’s key changes to help deter SIM-swap and man-in-the-middle attacks.
- Recovery Contacts is rolling out for eligible personal Google Accounts, allowing up to 10 trusted people to verify a 15‑minute code, with a seven‑day delay before the same contact can be used again and no access to your data granted.
- Google says Workspace and Advanced Protection Program accounts, as well as child accounts, cannot set Recovery Contacts, though eligible accounts can designate those users to assist with recovery.
- A new Sign in with Mobile Number feature is rolling out gradually, identifying accounts by phone number and letting users sign in on a new Android device using the previous device’s lock‑screen passcode without a password.