- Android 17 will allow carriers to automatically and transparently disable the 2G network for the user.
- The use of fake base stations allows cybercriminals to force a 2G connection to send fraudulent SMS messages and carry out phishing.
- There are manual methods using secret codes to block 2G in older versions of Android.
- The global shutdown of these networks affects critical infrastructure such as elevators, vehicle eCall systems, and IoT devices.
You're probably used to seeing the 5G icon on your screen and feeling like you're browsing at lightning speed, but there's an invisible danger lurking. It turns out that an attacker can try to trick your device into abandoning modern networks and connecting to a 2G connection, a technology that's over twenty years old and riddled with security vulnerabilities.
This isn't a coverage issue, but rather a malicious tactic using fake base stations that trick the phone into bypassing current security measures. The good news is that Google has addressed this with Android 17, aiming to eliminate the need for users to navigate complicated menus to stay safe.
The leap in Android 17: protection without lifting a finger
Until now, if you wanted to turn off 2G, you had to manually go into the settings, if your phone even allowed it. With the arrival of Android 17 , Google is introducing a "zero-click" feature , meaning that carriers will be able to configure devices so that 2G is disabled by default. The user won't have to do anything; the protection will be completely seamless.
It's important to note that this won't happen on all devices equally, as it will depend on each phone company. However, Google has made it clear that this measure won't affect emergency calls , so the phone will continue to search for 2G networks if absolutely necessary to save a life.
Why is 2G a risk today?
The problem is that 2G was born in an era when cyberattacks weren't what they are now. This network lacks mutual authentication , meaning the phone identifies itself to the antenna, but has no way of verifying whether that antenna is legitimate or a device set up by a criminal. This is where SMS blasters come into play.
These devices emit a very powerful signal that forces the phone to disconnect from 4G or 5G and connect to a fake 2G network. Once inside, the attacker can inject fraudulent messages impersonating a bank or official entity, bypassing the operator's spam filters because the message doesn't pass through the official network. Essentially, it's a direct route for very convincing phishing attacks.
Tips for manually disabling 2G in older versions
If you don't have Android 17 and want to secure your phone against intruders right now, there's an alternative. On many Android devices (from version 12 onwards, though it may vary), you can access a hidden menu by dialing *#*#4636#*#* in the dialer. This will open the "Test" menu, where you can access "Phone Information."
Once there, look for the "Set preferred network type" option . Depending on what you're looking for, you can choose:
- NR/LTEIf you only want 5G and 4G, removing 3G and 2G.
- NR/LTE/WCDMAIf you want to keep 3G as a backup, but block access to 2G.
Remember that in technical language, NR is 5G, LTE is 4G and WCDMA is 3G.
The great dilemma of the technological "blackout"
While shutting down 2G sounds great for security, in the real world it's a huge headache . Millions of non-mobile devices rely on this network. For example, many elevators use 2G modems for the emergency button to work, and cars' eCall systems use them to call emergency services after an accident.
In Spain and Europe, this has created a conflict because updating the hardware of millions of cars or IoT alarms is extremely expensive and slow. Therefore, some operators are first shutting down 3G , leaving 2G active for a while longer to avoid disrupting critical services. It is estimated that tens of millions of vehicles are exposed, and the European Union has even had to postpone the final closure of these networks until 2030.
The fight against fake antennas and the need to free up frequencies for 5G clash with an aging infrastructure that has become ubiquitous. While Android 17 attempts to close the door on smartphone attacks, the industry must contend with the slow replacement of hardware in vehicles and M2M systems to ensure complete security and eliminate any vulnerabilities for cybercriminals.