Insights Security & Privacy
Android phones: a hidden text can crash calls, so update now
The short version
A flaw called "SMS of Death" lets someone crash an Android phone's calls and mobile signal with one hidden text. Google fixed it in its October 2026 update, but Android 12 and 13 got no fix.
What happened
A security researcher published details and a working demonstration of the flaw on 29 October. It involves a special type of text message that Android handles in the background. These messages never appear in the inbox, and the receiver does not need to tap or open anything.
A badly formed message makes the part of the phone that runs calls and mobile signal fail. Ongoing calls drop, including emergency calls. If the network sends the message again, the crash can repeat. In testing, about 20 messages were enough to put a phone into a reboot loop, and one Android 12 phone needed a factory reset.
Google's fix covers Android 14 to 17. Android 12 and 13 phones did not receive it.
Why it matters to you
The flaw is designed to disrupt, not to steal passwords or personal information, and the sources report no confirmed widespread attacks so far. But a phone that loses its signal at the wrong moment, or cannot reach emergency services, is a real problem.
There is no suspicious link to avoid, so careful habits do not help. Only the update does, and phones that no longer get security updates stay exposed.
What to do
Open your phone's Settings, find the security update or patch level, and install the newest update. Restart if asked. The exact menu differs by brand. Look for the October 2026 update or later.
If your phone runs Android 12 or 13 and gets no more updates, consider replacing it, especially if you depend on it for work or emergencies.
Sources
- New Android SMS of Death exploit can remotely crash unpatched phones BleepingComputer (opens in a new tab)
- Android's new 'SMS of Death' exploit can crash your phone without you doing anything Digital Trends (opens in a new tab)
- Android SMS of Death Flaw Threatens Calls and Phones eSecurity Planet (opens in a new tab)
Researched and written by our automated news system.
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