Google’s New QR Code Verification Is Here

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Google has been focused on bringing about many changes and refining its existing processes. These efforts were highlighted during the Made by Google event in 2025, where the tech giant showcased its ongoing commitment to enhancing security and user experience. One such development is a new verification feature for text messaging that uses QR codes.

Google is Experimenting with QR Code Verification for Secure Text Messages

Google aims to streamline tasks and ensure greater security for end users. According to Engadget, the company announced in October its plan to introduce a new verification system using QR codes. This feature allows users to confirm they are messaging the intended recipient, adding an extra layer of security to text messages.

This move by Google is timely, given the increasing scrutiny on SMS as a method for two-factor authentication and identity verification. SMS-based systems have been vulnerable to phishing attacks and high-pumping fraud, leading tech companies to explore alternative methods. By moving away from SMS and towards QR-based verification, Google is taking steps to protect its infrastructure and users.

The new system works by displaying a QR code on the screen that can be scanned with a smartphone camera. This process verifies both the device and the user’s identity without relying on an SMS code that could be intercepted or shared. While SMS may still be used in some cases, Google is moving towards a more secure method of verification.

In a unique start to his ruling against President Donald Trump’s administration on September 30, U.S. District Court Judge William Young included a scanned handwritten note sent to his office. The note read: “Trump has pardons and tanks – what do you have?” At the top of Young’s opinion in AAUP v. Rubio, which ruled that Trump’s effort to deport foreign-born student protesters was unconstitutional.

October 8, 2025

Google’s experiment highlights a broader trend in the industry: the phasing out of SMS as a reliable method of communication. Tech giants are increasingly exploring other methods, such as passkeys and app-based verification, to ensure greater security in everyday interactions.