Google is adding new security features to Android 16 to help protect users from phone scams. These new security features could also arrive in Samsung devices with the One UI 8 update.

Scammers always try to trick people into giving them access to their phones or installing harmful apps. To stop this, Android 16 will block certain actions during phone calls that scammers often use to take control of your device. The new security features have been spotted by Mishaal Rahman (via Android Authority).

By enabling sideloading, you allow apps to be installed from sources outside of the official app store. Although sideloading is off by default for safety, scammers often guide people through turning it on over the phone.

For that, Android 16 will prevent users from enabling sideloading while on a call. If you try to change this setting, a warning will pop up, reminding you that scammers may ask you to do this and showing caution.

Aside from the sideloading, scammers also try to get people to give apps “accessibility” permissions. This permission allows apps to control your phone and read your screen. Android 16 will block any changes to these permissions during phone calls to make it difficult for scammers to take control of your device.

These features are already available in the Android 16 Beta and will be part of the official release later this year. This update builds on a feature from Android 15 called Enhanced Confirmation Mode, which makes it harder for sideloaded apps to access sensitive settings.

Based on Android 16, One UI 8 may also add these new security features to enhance the security of the Galaxy devices.

Android 16 (One UI 8) to upgrade Bluetooth LE Audio hearing aids

Google has released a new beta for Android Auto with version 13.8. This long-awaited update brings several notable improvements, including the introduction of Google’s Car Ready Mobile Apps Program and New Car App Quality Tiers.

Google’s Car Ready Mobile Apps Program and new app quality tiers could make it easier for users to access more apps on their car’s screen without developers needing to make major changes to their apps.

In this update, reference codes of “new_app_available” and “new_parked_app_available” have been found. These features may allow users to use apps from their phone on Android Auto with minimal effort. Some apps will be unlocked when the car is parked, making it easier to enjoy a wider variety of apps while not driving.

Android Auto 13.8 also fixes some important issues. The Google Maps issue has been fixed, where the car’s location icon was incorrectly placed in the center of the screen. This made it hard to see your location when the destination box was covering the screen.

Image via Reddit (SteelBreeze9)

Moreover, it brings fixes for audio and Bluetooth issues. Some users had issues with audio not working correctly or Bluetooth not connecting properly. This update resolves it to improve the overall connection with Bluetooth devices.

Google’s Car Ready Mobile Apps Program

With the Android Auto 13.8 update, Google has introduced a new system to rate apps based on how well they work in cars. The system has three tiers:

Tier 1: Car Differentiated

• Apps specifically designed for cars.

Tier 2: Car Optimized 

• Apps that are well-suited for cars with some special features.

Tier 3: Car Ready

• Apps that work on larger screens with little extra work needed, mainly when parked.

The new update is available to download through the Google Play Store or from the third-party APK link mentioned here.

New Google Maps layout on Android Auto causes issues

Google has already released some early versions of Android 16, including two developer previews and a beta version. However, the official reveal is still to come. Just recently, Google has officially revealed the date of the stable Android 16 update release.

Through a blog post, Google has confirmed that its annual event, Google I/O, will be held on May 20-21, 2025, at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. The event will be streamed live on YouTube, so people all over the world can watch the announcements.

While Google hasn’t specifically mentioned Android 16, they will talk about the new operating system at the event. In previous years, Google has used Google I/O to introduce new Android versions to the public, so it’s expected that Android 16 will be featured.

Android 16 is set to bring many exciting enhancements and new features, which we’ve seen a bit of in the developer previews and beta versions. At Google I/O, Google will likely share more details about what’s new, especially with AI and other tech innovations.

Once Android 16 is announced, Samsung will roll it out for Galaxy devices as One UI 8. Right now, Galaxy device users are still waiting for the stable One UI 7 update. However, the update has already been available for the Galaxy S25 series last month.

This free app lets any Android user enjoy Samsung SmartTag features

One UI 7 has been announced alongside the Galaxy S25 series, bringing a host of exciting new features. Samsung is currently getting ready to roll out this update to more Galaxy devices. At the same time, we’ve started to hear about features like a new Measurement system that could arrive with One UI 8, which will be based on Android 16.

A well-known tipster @MishaalRahman (via Android Authority) spotted a new Android 16 Beta 1 feature. The update is introducing some new features that give users more control over how their device looks and feels, especially when it comes to regional settings.

Android 16-based One UI 8 may soon add the ability to choose your measurement system separately from the language on your phone. This means you can switch between different systems, like metric, US imperial, or UK imperial, without having to change your phone’s language.

Image via Android Authority

Previously, Android would automatically adjust things like dates, measurements, and numbers based on the language you set. Like, if you were in Japan but had your phone set to English, the system might still show measurements in US-style units like Fahrenheit or miles per hour.

In Android 16, you can now set your language to English while selecting Japan as your region. So your phone will show things like temperature and currency in Japanese formats, but keep the language you understand.

Moreover, Android 16 also updates the “regional preferences” section to make it easier to personalize your settings. There’s now a “measurements” page where you can choose the system that works best for you.

Image via Android Authority

With One UI 8, you may be able to keep your phone in your preferred language while getting region-specific settings for things like temperature and currency. These features aren’t fully live in Android 16 Beta yet, but we can expect them in the stable release. Stay tuned for more information.

Android 16 (One UI 8) to upgrade Bluetooth LE Audio hearing aids

Android 16 may soon make it possible to use dark mode in more apps, even those that don’t have it built-in. A new feature automatically changes light-themed apps into dark mode to make them easier on the eyes, especially at night.

Recently, a new feature has been spotted in the first Android 16 Beta update by Mishaal Rahman (Android Authority). The new feature would let Android force some apps into dark mode, even if the app doesn’t have its dark theme.

Several popular apps like Twitter and YouTube already have a dark mode, but some big apps, like Fitbit, PayPal, and Amazon, still don’t offer it. Users find these bright screens uncomfortable to use in low light, so Google is working on a solution to resolve it.

The “make all app dark” feature was first noticed in Android 15. In Android 16 Beta 1, it has been renamed to “make more apps dark” and moved to the Display and Touch section of settings. Right now, it’s hidden in the beta, but it’s expected to appear in the final version.

Image via Android Authority

This feature works by adjusting the app’s colors, not just inverting them, which should make the dark mode experience look better. It will likely work better than the current “force dark” option, which sometimes leads to color issues in apps.

Currently, it’s not clear when Android 16 will officially be released but codes in the beta update show Google is still developing this feature. Samsung might also bring this feature to Galaxy devices with One UI 8. Stay tuned for more information.

Android 16 (One UI 8) to upgrade Bluetooth LE Audio hearing aids