Is that text message spam or legit? This Android tool can tell you real quick

Source: ZDNet

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Distinguishing spam messages from real ones can be tricky.
• Android has a scam‑fighting AI trick up its sleeve.
• Circle to Search is available on Pixel and Galaxy phones.

I receive more spam and scam messages on my phone each day than legitimate messages from friends and family. When I get these messages I report them and block the sender, but sometimes the messages are so carefully crafted that it isn’t easy to tell if they’re a scam.

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If you respond to the wrong message you could end up in trouble, so Android offers a built‑in way to check a message’s legitimacy.

What is Circle to Search?

Circle to Search is more than a visual search tool for identifying objects in photos. It also uses on‑device AI to analyze an SMS or DM and tell you whether the content looks like a scam. When the AI flags a message as suspicious, it alerts you.

Related article: How to use Circle to Search on Android (and what models support it)

How to enable Circle to Search

Requirements

• Android 13 or later
• Supported device: Google Pixel 6 or newer, or Samsung Galaxy S21 or newer

Enable the feature

1. Open Settings (pull down the notification shade twice and tap the gear icon).
2. Go to Display & touch > Navigation mode.
3. Scroll to the bottom; you’ll see Circle to Search with an On/Off toggle.
4. Turn the toggle On.

[Image: Circle To Search in Settings]
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Using Circle to Search to avoid scams

1. Open the messaging app and locate the message you want to check.
2. Long‑press the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen (or the Home button if you use three‑button navigation).
3. Draw a circle around the message. The AI will analyze the text and display whether it considers the message suspicious.

[Image: Circle To Search result]
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

• If the message is flagged as suspicious, block and report it immediately.
• If the AI does not flag the message, treat it with caution—AI can make mistakes. You can still verify the sender through other means.

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From my experience, Circle to Search reliably identifies scam messages, and I now use it as my default action for any incoming text that isn’t from a known contact. Enabling and using this feature is a simple way to add an extra layer of protection to your Android device.