All Android phone users set for big free software update

For the longest time, Android phones were the wild west when it came to software updates. Unless you bought a Google Pixel (or Nexus back in the day), there was little clarity on when you’d get the latest Android features - if at all.

Luckily, that is not the case in 2026. Google still builds Android’s latest features, but the firm works much closer with other Android phone makers to ensure these perks roll out faster than ever.

That means if you have a phone made by Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, Honor or Oppo, you should see certain features come your way, even if they launch on Google Pixel first.

Google’s latest update to Android has just been announced, and the company said it is introducing seven new things that improve personalisation or safety.

The way Android works nowadays means if you have a relatively new handset, you should be getting these features soon. That’s because they work as core parts of the software experience or within Google apps, rather than optional extras that manufacturers can choose to implement or not.

Fake call detection

The first update is fake call detection. Scammers are getting cleverer, and it’s now possible to receive calls from people impersonating your contacts. Phones with Android 12 or later will soon be smart enough to detect when a call is fake after you pick up, as the system can detect AI deepfakes, a technology that can impersonate voices.

It’s scary stuff, but Android should be on call to help you out.

Circle to Search outfits

A more fun new feature is one I have already used, which is using Circle to Search to identify clothing items accurately. Circle to Search works on most Android phones by holding the bottom bar (or Home Button) to freeze your screen. You then use your finger to circle what you want to Google image search.

In the advert, Paris Hilton uses it to identify a Karl Lagerfeld dress from a social media post. In a humbling turn of events, my main use is identifying genuine retro football shirts on Vinted.

Google Photos wardrobe

In addition, Google Photos will soon let you virtually try on clothes. This works by cataloguing individual clothing items you’re wearing from photos of you in your library and then turning them into a virtual wardrobe where you can try different combinations on an avatar of yourself.

You’ll either find it inspiring or dystopian. Perhaps it can be both.

Personal Safety app

If you have given an Android phone to your child who is under 13, they will soon be getting more features in the Personal Safety app, which will be able to display any relevant medical information and emergency contacts in case of an emergency. These details can be accessed by anyone from the phone’s lock screen.

Children will also be able to turn on car crash detection that can automatically call emergency services and set emergency contacts in the event of an accident.

Google also said older teenage Android users will be able to use the Personal Safety app to share their location in real time in an emergency and use Safety Check. This is when you can set Android to alert your contact if you don’t check in at a certain expected time.

Book Insights

In a change of pace, Google is paying some attention to its Kindle rival app Google Play Books by adding an AI feature called Book Insights. It offers recaps of what you’ve read so far, which won’t reveal spoilers for what you haven’t read yet (hopefully).

You can also highlight passages and then ask questions about themes, context or characters. It’s available in “select English titles” according to Google, including free titles that are available as the copyright has lapsed.

Quick Share with AirDrop

Finally, Android works with AirDrop. It’s already functioning on some devices, but Google is working to bring it to more handsets as soon as possible. It works just like AirDrop does with Apple devices, by using the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios on each phone to set up a temporary bridge to wirelessly transfer photos, video and other documents. Rejoice.

Emoji Kitchen

This is a slow burn feature that I thought was throwaway when I first heard about it, but actually is one of the more fun recent additions to Android.

It works automatically with Gboard, which is the default keyboard on many Android phones but isn’t on Samsung Galaxy devices - so make sure to install and enable Gboard if needed. You then type any two emojis into the text field and your phone will create several emojis by combining the look of the two selected. Google’s example is a rat and a heart, which combined makes the rat hold the heart. You really can pick any two, so you can get a poo crying, a baby’s bottle with sunglasses or a detective with a car for a head with a magnifying glass. To prove I really created that last one:

All these features are either already rolling out to Android phones, or will be in the coming weeks.