WhatsApp scam alert is appearing for a limited group of Android beta testers, according to WABetaInfo’s update coverage. The optional feature is designed to warn users when a message from an unknown contact may be part of a scam. The rollout is limited, so installing a compatible beta version does not guarantee that the setting will appear on every account.

WABetaInfo reported that the feature can be enabled by some testers using WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.26.34.1. The site said the tool is disabled by default and gives users options to block and report a suspicious contact or mark the conversation as trusted. The sender is not told that the recipient has used the warning tool.

The privacy design is the central point of the test. WABetaInfo said the machine-learning model works on the device to identify possible scam messages, so the message content does not leave the phone for automatic classification. BleepingComputer’s earlier report likewise described the feature as an optional local model intended to work alongside end-to-end encryption.

The warning is aimed at messages from people who are not already in the user’s contacts. That focus can help limit interruptions in familiar conversations while adding friction to first-contact scams. It cannot guarantee that every fraudulent message will be detected, and a warning system should not replace checking links, payment requests and identity claims independently.

BleepingComputer reported that if a user decides a warning was incorrect, the chat can be marked as trusted. It also said users may opt in to share the last five messages with WhatsApp to help improve accuracy. That sharing step is separate from the local classification described for the feature and should not be presented as automatic disclosure of every chat.

The current status is beta, not a public release. WABetaInfo said the rollout is gradual and Android-focused, with an iOS version expected later. WhatsApp’s own support materials should be used for current app compatibility, while beta testers should back up their chats and expect changes during testing.

The smartphone security update is clear but limited: WhatsApp is testing an on-device Scam Alert for some Android beta accounts. Users who do not see it should not install unofficial packages or assume their account is unsupported. The feature’s wider release date and final behaviour remain unannounced.