Google’s ‘Circle to Search’ can now instantly tell you if a text message is a scam

Scammers are getting smarter, and sometimes it’s hard to tell if a message is legitimate or a trap. In a really helpful update, Google is turning its most convenient search tools—Circle to Search and Google Lens—into powerful scam detectors.

Google has added new capabilities to these tools specifically to help you spot the “telltale signs” of fraudulent messages, whether they come through SMS, messaging apps, or social media.

How to use Circle to Search as a scam detector

If you have a modern Android phone, this is the quickest way to check a suspicious message. You don’t even have to leave the app you are in:

1. Long press the home button or navigation bar on your Android device to activate Circle to Search.
2. Simply circle the suspicious text or message.

Google’s systems will then use AI and information from the web to assess if the message is likely a scam. If it detects a threat, you will see an overview with guidance, insights, and suggested next steps to keep you safe.

It works with Google Lens (and on iOS), too

If you don’t have Circle to Search or are using an iPhone, you can still use this feature via Google Lens in the Google app.

1. Take a screenshot of the suspicious message.
2. Open Lens in the Google app (on Android or iOS).
3. Tap your screenshot to analyze it.

This capability is rolling out globally for both Circle to Search and Lens. Note that the scam warnings will only appear when Google’s systems have “high confidence” that the message is fraudulent, so you won’t be bombarded with alerts for every single text. This is a simple, effective layer of protection against one of the most annoying trends in digital communication.