Android 16 will soon flag fake cell towers and warn you if someone is spying on your phone

Date:
Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:19:00 +0000

Description:
An update to Android 16 will detect stingray devices used by law enforcement and alert users to suspicious network connections.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Android 16 will include alerts for fake cell towers and suspicious networks Update detects stingray devices which pose as cell towers Feature likely to arrive with devices that launch on Android 16

Not every mobile network is what it seems. If your smartphone unwittingly connects to a fake cell tower, it could expose your private data to interception. Fortunately, Google is doing something about it: a new security feature in Android 16 is designed to detect suspicious connections and warn you if someone is trying to eavesdrop on your calls and texts.

Cell mast simulators, known as stingray devices, create a phoney (pun intended) signal which can trick your mobile into revealing your location and communications. Its a tricky tactic thats previously been undetectable to smartphone users. Until now, users have had a very limited toolkit to protect themselves.

To tackle the risk of silent spying, Google has developed a warning system which detects these rogue networks and flags when a connection is not what it seems. Expected to arrive with new Android 16 devices, its a background feature with big implications for privacy. No more phoney towers

Stingrays work by mimicking cell towers. When a smartphone connects to the fake network, its operator can track the device and harvest data, including unique identifiers such as the IMEI. It can also transfer the device to a
less secure network in order to intercept calls and messages all without any indication to the targeted user.

A kind of IMSI catcher, stingrays are known to be used by law enforcement agencies. While theyre sometimes justified in the name of national security, they also have the potential for misuse, particularly if they fall into the hands of nefarious actors.

Stingray devices generally use 2G to target smartphones. Even if youre on 4G or 5G, most phones can fall back to 2G. This built-in vulnerability can be exploited by stingrays: by broadcasting a strong 2G signal, they can trick nearby devices into connecting. Because 2G networks lack modern encryption standards and dont authenticate towers, your phone cant verify if theyre
real.

Right now, the best way to protect yourself against stingray attacks is to disable 2G network connectivity altogether.

The Android 16 update adds another layer of protection. According to
developer notes on the Android Open Source Project , it introduces network notification warnings. Compatible phones will be able to detect when a mobile network requests the devices identifiers or tries to force it onto an unencrypted connection. Both of these events will be flagged to the end user.

The feature can be configured under Mobile network security in the settings menu, alongside the option to enable 2G network protection. The problem is that no Android phones actually have the hardware required to unlock the feature not even the best Pixel phones . Thats why the setting is currently hidden.

As a result, its likely that the first Android phones with the ability to detect fake cell towers will launch later this year. Theres a good chance it will debut on the Google Pixel 10 , which might just make it the most secure smartphone ever. You might also like... Best secure smartphones of 2025 Cyberattacks on smartphones hit new high - here's how to stay safe Every tap, every message how to stop your smartphone spying on you



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/android/android-16-will-soon-flag-fake-cell-t owers-and-warn-you-if-someone-is-spying-on-your-phone


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