'SMS of Death': Invisible Text Crashes Android Phones

A security flaw dubbed the "SMS of Death" allows an invisible text message to crash Android smartphones. According to the available information, the message can interrupt ongoing calls and leave affected devices stuck in a reboot loop.

Google has already responded to the problem. Details on the scope of the fix, the affected Android versions and the devices involved were not available at the time of writing, so it remains unclear how many users are exposed.

Why it matters

The attack stands out because the message is invisible to the recipient. A phone that restarts repeatedly is effectively unusable, and a crash during a call can cut off communication when it is needed most. Since SMS reaches a phone without any action by the user, such flaws are particularly unpleasant.

Users should check whether their device has received the latest security update and install it as soon as it becomes available. Further information from Google and device makers on patch distribution is expected to clarify which phones are protected.