Latest news with #Android16
Phone Arena
15 hours ago
- Phone Arena
This Android 16 feature may finally expose a spying tactic used for years
Android 16 brings a new security feature designed to help users spot potential surveillance attempts. According to a new report, the latest version of the OS can now notify users when their phone connects to an insecure or suspicious mobile network, such as one created by a fake cell tower. These fake towers, often called stingrays or cell-site simulators, mimic real cell towers and trick nearby phones into connecting. Once connected, the attacker can collect data like your IMEI number or force the phone to switch to older, less secure networks like 2G. This makes it easier to intercept unencrypted calls and texts. Although stingrays are often used by law enforcement, they can also be misused by hackers or other bad actors. The report outlines that Google has been working on ways to block these threats for a while. In Android 12, users gained the option to turn off 2G support. Android 14 added protections against unencrypted network connections. Then in Android 15, Google added a way for the system to detect when a network tries to access a phone's unique identifiers or change encryption settings. However, these features depend on support from a phone's modem. Specifically, they require version 3.0 of Android's IRadio HAL (hardware abstraction layer). Because many current phones don't have this, some features are still unavailable — even on Pixel devices running the latest Android versions. However, with Android 16 , Google is bringing back a dedicated "Mobile network security" settings page inside the Safety Center. It includes two main features: Network notifications: Alerts you when the phone connects to an unencrypted network or when a network requests your device's identifiers. 2G network protection: Lets you turn off 2G network support completely. Both options are off by default and only appear if the device's hardware supports them. This is why current Pixel phones won't show the new settings page, but newer models launching with Android 16, like the expected Pixel 10, likely will. If enabled, Android will post alerts in the notification panel and Safety Center. These alerts tell you when your phone switches from encrypted to unencrypted networks and log when a network asks for your phone's identifiers. This is pretty unique considering that Apple does not currently offer a direct equivalent to this where users are warned about fake cell towers or insecure network conditions in real time. However, Apple can enforce certain network-related protections in collaboration with carriers, but these are often buried in carrier settings and not adjustable by the user. Therefore, for Android users, his update will be a small but meaningful step in improving user privacy. While it unfortunately won't help with existing phones, it shows Google is continuing to strengthen Android's defense against silent tracking methods. In my opinion, the real impact will depend on how widely phone makers adopt the necessary hardware going forward. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Forbes
20 hours ago
- Forbes
Google's Next Pixel Update—Apple's iPhone Falls Behind
Apple has some catching up to do. Smartphones are now under threat from malicious text messages, attacks that come courtesy of China's organized criminal gangs. Whether its an unpaid toll or a DMV traffic offense or even an undelivered package, the threat is the same. Google warns that these dangerous texts can be sent directly to your phone rather than via a mobile network, and that users should disable 2G networks to stay safe. Those so-called SMS-blaster attacks trick your phone into connecting to a malicious device, thinking it's a legitimate cellular access point. That same kind of trickery can do more than just blast texts, it can actually intercept all traffic to and from the phone. You'll have heard of police use of so-called Stingrays — that's what this is. Network defense at work. Not only does Google enable 2G connections to be disabled where iPhone does not, but the Android-maker is now also launching a defense against these rogue cellular connections, warning when there's any unencrypted connection or when a network is repeatedly pinging a phone for its identifiers. Again, iPhone cannot do the same. I've reported on this before, but with the release of Android 16 it's now imminent — with a catch. As Android Authority points out, 'it's unlikely that any current devices will be updated to support the notifications feature. We will most likely have to wait for upcoming devices that launch with Android 16, such as the Pixel 10 series.' That's because this only works through an interface between the cellular modem and the phone's Android OS, and that's not expected to be available as an aftermarket upgrade. It also requires new modems capable of running the interface software. iPhones, by contrast, have to rely on filtering texts from unknown senders. Network defense at work. Android users with the right hardware — as and when it's available — should enable this protection. They should also disable 2G network connections and also enable Android 16's new Advanced Protection Mode, which — not be accident — disables 2G by default. With the network defense and Advanced Protection Mode upgrades, Google is seriously raising the bar for Android users. Apple's iPhone is materially behind when it comes to network protection, albeit remains ahead when it comes to phone lockdowns, malware defenses, sandboxing apps and policing data harvesting permissions. The gap between the two operating systems has never been narrower. A current Android phone with these protections enabled gives iPhone a run for its money for the first time. At least as regards external threats. You still need to be comfortable with Google's own tracking and data harvesting, and its expansive use of Gemini.
Android Authority
a day ago
- Android Authority
Android 16 can warn you if a fake cell tower is trying to spy on you
TL;DR Android 16 is adding a new security feature to warn you when your phone connects to a fake or insecure mobile network known as a 'stingray.' This feature alerts you to unencrypted connections or when the network requests your phone's identifiers, which helps protect against surveillance. Due to new hardware requirements, this protection will likely only be on new devices launching with Android 16, such as the upcoming Pixel 10. There are many simple things you can do to keep your private information safe, like using strong passwords, scrutinizing app permissions, and only installing apps from trusted sources. However, some attacks are much harder to protect yourself against, as they're so sophisticated and stealthy that they can happen without you ever noticing. One such attack tricks your phone into connecting to a fake, insecure mobile network, which is difficult for the average person to detect. Fortunately, the new Android 16 update has a feature that can warn you when someone is using this tactic to snoop on you. This type of attack uses a device called a 'stingray.' An attacker sets up this device near a target they want to surveil, and it mimics a legitimate cell tower. The stingray tricks nearby mobile devices into connecting to it, allowing the attacker to collect unique identifiers (like the IMEI) and even force them onto an older, more insecure communication protocol. These identifiers allow attackers to target specific devices for analysis, while switching protocols can let them intercept unencrypted text messages and phone calls. These 'stingray' devices are notoriously used by law enforcement agencies, but their technology can also be acquired by malicious actors. While some argue they are a necessary tool for surveilling criminals, their potential for abuse is significant, as they can be used to covertly collect data on ordinary people. Because of this, Google has been working on ways to warn Android users or prevent them from sending communications over insecure cellular networks. With the release of Android 12, for example, Google added support for disabling 2G connectivity at the modem level. In Android 14, the company followed up by supporting the disabling of connections that use null ciphers — a form of unencrypted communication. More recently, Android 15 added support for notifying the OS when the network requests a device's unique identifiers or tries to force a new ciphering algorithm. These features directly counter the tactics used by commercial 'stingrays,' which trick devices into downgrading to 2G or using null ciphers to make their traffic easier to intercept. Blocking these connections and notifying the user about these requests helps protect them from surveillance. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority The toggle to disable 2G networks in Android 16 on a Pixel 9a. Unfortunately, only one of these three features is widely available: the ability to disable 2G connectivity. The problem is that implementing these protections requires corresponding changes to a phone's modem driver. The feature that notifies the OS about identifier requests, for example, requires a modem that supports version 3.0 of Android's IRadio hardware abstraction layer (HAL). This dependency is why these security features are missing on current Pixel phones and other devices, and it's also likely why Google delayed launching the dedicated 'mobile network security' settings page it planned for Android 15. Since upcoming devices launching with Android 16 will support version 3.0 of Android's IRadio HAL, Google is reintroducing the 'mobile network security' settings page in the Safety Center (Settings > Security & privacy). This page contains two subsections: Notifications This subsection contains a ' Network notifications ' toggle. When enabled, it allows the system to warn you if your device connects to an unencrypted network or when the network requests your phone's unique identifiers. This toggle is disabled by default in Android 16. Network generation This subsection features a ' 2G network protection ' toggle that enables or disables the device's 2G connectivity. This is the same toggle found in the main SIM settings menu, and it is also disabled by default in Android 16. Google The 'Mobile network security' page will only appear on devices that support both the '2G network protection' toggle and the 'network notifications' feature. This is why it doesn't appear on any current Pixel devices running Android 16, as they lack the necessary modem support for notifications. When the 'Network notifications' feature is enabled, Android will post a message in the notification panel and the Safety Center whenever your device switches from an encrypted to an unencrypted network, or vice versa. It will also post an alert in both places when the network accesses your phone's unique identifiers, detailing the time and number of times they were requested. Message in the notification panel and Safety Center when you connect to an unencrypted cellular network. Message in the notification panel and Safety Center when you reconnect to an encrypted cellular network. Message in the notification panel and Safety Center when a cellular network accesses your device's unique identifiers. Now that Google has relaunched this security page in Android 16, it won't be long before we start seeing it on new devices. However, due to the Google Requirements Freeze (GRF) program — a policy that allows OEMs to lock in hardware-related requirements for devices at launch — it's unlikely that any current devices will be updated to support the notifications feature. We will most likely have to wait for upcoming devices that launch with Android 16, such as the Pixel 10 series, to see this protection fully implemented. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
Google's Pixel Camera now teaches you how to use all the best features — here's how
Google has started to roll out a new feature that wants to help you get the most out of your Pixel phone's camera app. With the launch of Android 16 and the recent June 2025 Feature Drop, we've seen Google unveil a bunch of new additions, including a Pixel VIP widget and Google Photos' new editing tools. However, one of the announced features, the 'camera education hub,' didn't go live when the 2025 update was released. But things have started moving as Google Pixel users are gaining access to the feature. The education hub serves as a means to inform users of what their Pixel device's camera can do, through the use of tips and sample shots. To take a look, users only need to tap the new '?' icon that appears in the top right corner of their app. When opened, Google will first present the users with a variety of sample shots to help inform them what each camera mode and option is capable of. There's also a floating button at the bottom of the screen labelled 'Open Camera,' which will instantly take you back to the main camera viewfinder interface. However, while it is always visible while in the education hub, it won't take you to the camera mode you were looking at when you first opened the hub. This is an odd omission, but one I imagine will be patched eventually. Also, while you can find tips relating to the 10-bit HDR video recording, manual lens recording, Pro controls and Locked Folders at the bottom of the screen, there is no mention of Social Share. This would appear to indicate that Google has no intention of returning the feature after it was removed in the recent Feature Drop. This education hub is the kind of feature that I wish we saw more of, as it does a lot for new users of a device. Both the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9a sit as some of the best camera phones on the market, but figuring out how to use some of the camera features can be overwhelming. This is especially true for older users, and the education hub could be a major advantage for them. However, there are some minor annoyances, like the Open Camera button, that need to be solved in future patches. We found that the education hub was available on our Pixel devices, as have other publications, indicating that this is a global rollout. If users are interested in trying this out, you should make sure your Pixel's camera app is updated to the latest version, as the hub will reportedly not show up on releases older than version 9.9. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Tatler Asia
a day ago
- Tatler Asia
Everything to know about the Google Pixel 10 series ahead of its August 2025 launch
Improved cameras with software-driven enhancements While a large chunk of the Google Pixel 10's shooting capabilities reside in the phone's software, there will be a few changes to camera hardware. The Pixel 10 will have an 11MP zoom lens which is a first for the standard model. The main shooter will have a 50MP Samsung GN8 sensor and the ultra-wide camera will use a 13MP Sony IMX712 sensor. By combining the images from ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, the Pixel 10 will have improved macro photography shooting capability. Beyond hardware improvements, the Google Pixel 10 will offer advanced computational photography with enhanced low-light performance, macro and zoom capabilities. AI-powered image processing will utilise more sophisticated image processing algorithms for automatic photo enhancement with the correct levels of exposure, colors and contrast. The Pixel 10 will also take advantage of post-processing features such as Autoframe, Zoom Enhance, Reimagine and Add Me. The Google Pixel 10 series phones will mostly retain the screen sizes of the standard and larger-sized Pixel phones of the previous generation. For the standard model, the new Pixel phone will have a 6.3-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Google is introducing a higher full-screen peak brightness for the new phones. The Pixel 10 phones will have an HDR brightness of 2000 and 2250 nits for the standard and Pro/XL models. The screens of the new phones will also be designed to reduce eyestrain for more sensitive users. Next-gen processing power with Tensor G5 Above Google Pixel phones are set to reimagine Android with Gemini AI (Photo: Google) Under the hood, the Google Pixel 10 series will debut the all-new Tensor G5 chip, built on a 3-nanometre process by TSMC, the same chipmaker behind Apple and MediaTek's latest processors. This marks a shift away from Samsung, which previously manufactured Google's Tensor chips. The G5 is expected to deliver faster performance, better thermal efficiency and significantly improved AI processing. This opens the door for more advanced applications in gaming, video editing and generative AI features such as voice-enabled photo editing and AI-assisted video creation. AI integration and new Android 16 design Above Introducing: Material 3 Expressive All Google Pixel 10 models will come equipped with 12GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. Battery life sees a boost too, with a 5,000mAh capacity, 29W wired fast charging, and Qi2-compatible 15W wireless charging. Google is also integrating Gemini Nano, its on-device AI model, to handle contextual tasks such as real-time suggestions, smart replies and in-app assistance. These will run seamlessly with the upcoming Android 16, which debuts a new visual update called Material 3 Expressive—a more fluid and dynamic design language featuring personalised themes and animations. Despite only subtle design changes, the Pixel 10 series reaffirms Google's strength: the deep integration of software and hardware. With advanced AI capabilities, a next-gen processor and smarter imaging, the Pixel 10 is set to push the Android experience forward—again.
