Google Expands Circle To Search With Scam Detection On Android And Pixel

Google is updating Android and Pixel with a range of new features that are coming in the following weeks, including safety tools, updates for accessibility options, and device enhancements. This includes some features only for Pixel phones running Android 16 and updates designed to make devices more usable.

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Circle to Search Adds Scam Detection

The feature Circle to Search has added a function for scam detection. That means users can circle suspicious content on their screen for an AI overview of possible scam patterns and guidance on how to stay safe. They won't have to leave the app to verify an unknown message or prompt.

Android is also adding new safety features across communication apps. In the Phone app, Call Reason allows users to tag a call as “urgent”, which is visible to the receiver during the call and in call history. Google Messages now lets users leave and report group chats created by unknown numbers, with alerts displaying group details, safety tips, and one-tap exit, block, or report options.

General Android Updates

Several general updates are also included: Chrome now supports pinned tabs to keep important pages fixed, Emoji Kitchen expands its sticker library for the holidays, and Expressive Captions on supported devices now include emotion tags like [joy] and [sadness].

Android 16 Exclusive Features for Pixel

Pixel users will gain additional Android 16 enhancements. Notifications now use AI to summarise messages and group alerts by relevance, silencing low-priority pings to reduce interruptions. Parental Controls are upgraded with PIN-based access, offering families more control over screen time and app activity.

The update introduces Connected Displays (in beta), enabling Pixel phones to extend screens to external displays. Users also get new customisation options, including custom icon shapes, automatic themed icons across apps, and an improved Dark Theme that works on apps without native dark mode while conserving battery.

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Accessibility Improvements

Google is expanding accessibility support with Fast Pair for Bluetooth LE hearing aids, initially for Demant devices and later for Starkey models. Voice Access can now start with a spoken prompt to Gemini, while TalkBack users can begin dictation in Gboard with a two-finger double-tap. Mouse interactions on Android have been simplified.

Expressive captions will now appear on English YouTube videos uploaded after October. Pixel users also gain Guided Frame, which leverages Gemini models to describe what is in the camera view, enhancing accessibility for visually impaired users.