‘Initially On Pixel’—Google’s Android Upgrade Offer For 2026

InnovationCybersecurity‘Initially On Pixel’—Google’s Android Upgrade Offer For 2026ByZak Doffman,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Zak Doffman writes about cybersecurity, surveillance and privacy.Follow AuthorMay 13, 2026, 01:40am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.All change for AndroidgettyThe threat landscape is evolving, Google warns, confirming a raft of new Android changes to bring “AI-powered protections and advanced safeguards” to phones. This is the most comprehensive security offer that has ever come to Android.In a May 12 announcement, the company set out in detail what users can expect through 2026. The main upgrades require Android 17, coming “initially to Pixel.” Owners of Samsungs and other phones will have to wait much longer.Not all the security upgrades need a new OS. A defense against banking scams, co-opting banks into verifying their phone numbers to isolate scammers is coming to Android 11 and newer. But this only works with participating banks. “Spoofed calls,” Google says, “are one of the drivers of social engineering scams and financial fraud, which cause an estimated $980M in annual losses worldwide.”All change for AndroidgettyBut Android 17 is the centrepiece. New upgrades include enhancements to Live Threat Detection “to warn you about apps that start doing things like changing or hiding their icon and then launching from the background or abusing accessibility permissions." Android will also respond faster to “new and emerging threat behaviors.” This comes with Android 17 “in the second half of the year.”MORE FOR YOUGoogle will also uplift protections in Chrome against dangerous APKs. “If you have Safe Browsing turned on and want to download an app, we’ll evaluate the APK for known malware and stop you before you download it.”And even more critically, “with Android 17 we’re expanding our core advance...