Google Messages is testing a new verification feature that lets users confirm contacts by scanning QR codes, replacing the current 80-digit code method.
The update, spotted in the latest Google Messages beta by 9to5Google, adds a “Verify encryption” option in message threads. Users can scan each other’s QR codes to confirm device authenticity, making the process faster and less cumbersome than comparing long strings of numbers.
Currently, Google Messages relies on end-to-end encryption with an 80-digit verification code to prevent impersonation. This system alerts users if a malicious actor attempts to pose as a trusted contact by hijacking a conversation.
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With the new approach, users will still be able to access the old code method, but QR scanning provides a more practical alternative. According to 9to5Google, the feature is visible in beta but not yet functional.
Google’s move mirrors Apple’s iMessage Contact Key Verification, which also allows manual checks through on-device or public verification codes. Both tools aim to reduce risks of impersonation in encrypted chats.
The QR verification rollout is expected first in beta before reaching all Google Messages users via a wider update on the Play Store.
