When someone calls or texts you, how do you know they’re real? With scams and call spoofing on the rise, you can never be sure. To address this, a new Google system app , Android System Key Verifier, is coming preloaded on both new and old Android devices. The app uses end-to-end identity checks to protect phone calls, messages, and chat apps from identity fraud.
How does Android System Key Verifier secure Android phones?
The Android System Key Verifier app comes pre-installed as a system app on Android devices running version 8.0 or later. It uses device-based encryption key checks to verify contact identities during calls and text messages. In this way, Android's security feature is similar to Contact Key Verification in iMessage on iPhone.
During any call or messaging interaction, Key Verifier verifies the contact's identity using cryptographic keys and other system-level checks. It also uses AI to detect fraudulent call patterns (e.g. scammers posing as trusted contacts) and flags or blocks them. You won't see any alerts if the call is verified as safe.
As of June 2025, this app will be automatically downloaded and installed on all Android devices. Some users have accidentally uninstalled this app due to privacy concerns. But this app is safe and recommended.
According to Android's official source, System Key Verifier's cryptographic key information is controlled locally by the user's device, not by Google or a third party. The keys are generated, stored, and managed locally using secure hardware such as a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) or Secure Element.
During contract identity verification, the key material remains outside the application process. Google only has access to optional diagnostic information that it uses in the application, but not to the private key. Even in the extremely unlikely event that the Android operating system is compromised, an attacker can still use the application key but cannot extract the key material from the device.
Check if Android System Key Verifier is running on your phone
The Android System Key Verifier app is installed by Google and runs automatically in the background. You don't need to open it or configure it manually. But if you want to be sure, check the app's availability on your Android phone.
On any Android device, go to Settings -> Apps -> System Apps and select App info from Android System Key Verifier. While you can view the installed apps, you can't access them directly because they're running in the background.
You can also check the installation status of the app on the Google Play page. It only shows Installed , but you can uninstall it. But it is best not to do so because the app is lightweight and is very important for identity fraud protection.
Using Android System Key Verifier in Messaging Apps
Android System Key Verifier doesn't just secure your regular calls and messages. It can also ensure you're interacting with truly trusted contacts. Of course, the verification process isn't visible on the user interface.
However, Android Security Key Verifier is integrating into popular messaging apps like Google Messages and WhatsApp . So you can start using it to verify your contacts on these apps.
On WhatsApp, open any trusted contact's message window and click the three-dot button, followed by Verify security code . Your primary device will take a few seconds to verify the contact's passcode.
You'll see the end-to-end encryption status automatically verified for that contact with a timestamp.
On the above screen, click Scan a QR code .
On the next screen, you can see your QR code that anyone can scan from their WhatsApp contacts if they have you. To do this on your device, click Scan QR code on their device .
Your phone camera will scan the contact's QR code and complete end-to-end verification.
If you don't like using QR codes, go to your contact verification page in WhatsApp and tap Compare a 60-digit number . The other person will do the same with your contact on their WhatsApp. Both numbers will match exactly for proper end-to-end verification.
Next time you exchange contacts on WhatsApp, make sure you can trust them. Even if they use multiple devices for that number, the verification process will still happen on all other devices. Want to keep your privacy on WhatsApp ? Follow these tips.
In addition to WhatsApp and Google Messages, Google plans to roll out the Android Security Key Verifier feature on other messaging apps like Viber, Telegram, and Signal.
To increase protection on your Android device, use security features like biometrics, a strong lock screen, and set up Find My Device.
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