safety check Archives

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

5 Emergency Features To Enable On Your Android Phone Before It’s Too Late

The Google Play Store has launched a Personal Safety app that provides tools for emergency situations, including safety check-ins, medical information input, automatic location sharing with emergency contacts, and car crash detection for select devices. The Emergency SOS feature allows users to create shortcuts for quick access to emergency actions, such as calling services and recording video footage. Crisis Alerts notify users of nearby dangers, while Earthquake Alerts provide information on seismic activity. The Emergency Location Service (ELS) enables precise location sharing with emergency responders during calls or texts to emergency numbers.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Google’s Safety app just picked up a few new tricks for your kids

Google has expanded the Personal Safety app to include children under 13, allowing them to display emergency contacts, their age, and allergies on their lock screen. Children can also activate Crash Detection, which contacts emergency services and priority contacts in case of an accident. Teens will have access to features like Safety Check for scheduling safety reminders and real-time location sharing. These updates will be available on Android devices running Android 12 or later, though a specific rollout timeline has not been provided. Some devices may refer to the app as "Safety," while Samsung includes similar features in its Safety and emergency menu.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

These 3 Android Apps Can Block Ads On Your Phone

Users are increasingly seeking effective solutions to enhance their browsing experience in digital advertising, with some opting for methods beyond traditional ad-blockers, such as configuring a private DNS server to filter ads at the system level. This method can face challenges, including certain applications circumventing settings and networks blocking custom DNS configurations, which may lead to connectivity issues. DNS-based ad-blocking can disrupt app functionality or create voids where ads would typically appear. NextDNS offers customizable blocklists for ad-blocking and functions as a customizable endpoint, requiring users to set it up through Android's native DNS settings. It provides a dashboard with parental controls, tracking protection, and analytics tools, free for up to 300,000 queries per month. AdLock focuses on system-wide ad-blocking across various platforms and requires users to download the APK and subscribe for use on multiple devices, starting at .05 per month. It does not allow ads to be displayed and includes a safety check feature for potential threats. Total AdBlock, developed by Total Security Limited, offers free and premium versions, with the premium version providing full functionality, including ad-blocking on YouTube. It has a high effectiveness score on the AdBlock Tester tool and includes features like content blocking and direct support access. The curated list of ad blockers targets options that do not require root access and are cost-effective, designed to operate at the device level for Android users, as the default Chrome browser does not support extensions. Trustworthiness and reputation were key factors in the selection process, focusing on maintaining a clean browsing experience without invasive tracking mechanisms.

AppWizard

October 11, 2025

Chrome for Android preps notification silencer for sites you rarely pay attention to

Google is updating Chrome on Android to enhance the Safety Check feature by automatically revoking notification permissions from websites that users rarely interact with. This update aims to reduce unnecessary notifications and improve user experience. Since its launch last year, Safety Check has been upgraded to protect against scam notifications and enhance user security. The new feature will notify users when permissions for notifications are revoked from less frequently visited websites. Additionally, recent updates have simplified the process of unsubscribing from notifications, helping users recognize and avoid potential scams.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

Six new Android features just dropped, and you can try them out today

Android 16 introduces several new features, including enhancements to RCS group chats, a redesigned Google Photos editor, and improved functionality in the Google Home app. RCS group chat updates allow users to customize group chats with unique icons and names, check RCS status of friends, and mute notifications for specific groups. The Google Photos app features a new image editor with AI-driven suggestions, a Reimagine feature for creative expression, and an Auto frame function for better image cropping. The Google Home app now includes device-specific shortcuts for easier management of smart devices and an upgraded Safety Check feature for scheduling check-ins. WearOS smartwatches can now tap city transit cards even when the Google Wallet app is closed, provided the feature is activated.

AppWizard

June 5, 2025

Emerging online scams are making users more vigilant, says Google

Over 60% of U.S. consumers have encountered scams, indicating a growing awareness of digital threats. More than 60% of Gen X and Baby Boomers still use traditional passwords, while younger generations prefer passkeys. Google has enhanced scam detection capabilities on Android devices, introducing features to identify potential scams in calls and texts. Over 60% of consumers perceive an increase in scams over the past year, with one-third reporting personal data breaches. Google promotes passwordless sign-in options like passkeys and "Sign in with Google" to improve security. Recent updates include enhanced scam detection in Google Messages and Chrome, and the Safety Check feature in Chrome now monitors for malicious notifications. Google has also released findings on prevalent scams, such as customer support fraud and package tracking schemes.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

Gemini fuels Chrome for Android with enhanced scam and spam protection

Google has announced a new security feature for Chrome on Android that uses machine learning through its Gemini intelligence to alert users about potential scams, spam, and unwanted notifications from malicious websites. This update allows Chrome to analyze website notifications more effectively, enhancing user protection. In September, Google also updated Chrome's Safety Check for Android, which now includes improved background tasks, notification alerts, and scans for security risks in passwords and installed extensions. The machine learning model was trained using synthetic data evaluated against real notifications to ensure effectiveness. The enhancements aim to provide a stronger defense against online threats.

AppWizard

October 6, 2024

Delete dangerous Android apps you’ve missed using hidden Google trick

Google has introduced Google Play Protect to safeguard Android users from harmful applications. This feature scans apps downloaded from the Google Play Store and allows users to submit unknown apps for analysis. It conducts safety checks before app downloads and can warn users about existing apps that may pose risks. Users can verify if their device is Play Protect certified through the Google Play Store settings. When a harmful app is detected, Google Play Protect may notify users to uninstall the app, temporarily disable it, or automatically delete it. Users can also enable the 'Improve harmful app detection' setting to enhance security for apps from unknown sources. Regularly scanning apps is recommended to ensure ongoing safety.

AppWizard

October 1, 2024

Android’s Personal Safety app to introduce time extension for Safety Checks (APK Teardown)

The Personal Safety app on Android will soon introduce a feature that allows users to extend the duration of their "Safety Check" without stopping it. Currently, users must restart the process if they need more time. The new "Add Time" option will let users increase the Safety Check timer by selecting preset options like five or ten minutes or choosing a custom duration. This functionality was discovered in an APK teardown and has been successfully tested. The rollout of this feature is expected soon.