Google Play Protect
Google Play Protect is the malware protection built into Android devices with Google Play. It checks apps when they are installed from Google Play or from other sources, scans installed apps regularly and can warn about, disable or remove harmful apps.
1What it checks
Play Protect scans apps from Google Play before download and also apps installed from other sources. It can send unknown apps to Google for analysis, which you can turn off.
2Warnings
A warning means Play Protect considers an app harmful or unverified. For known harmful apps it can disable or remove them automatically and tells you in a notification.
3Where to find it
Open Google Play, tap your profile picture and choose Play Protect. 'Scan apps with Play Protect' must be on; the page shows the last scan time and lets you scan now.
How to scan your apps
- Open the Google Play app.
- Tap your profile picture, then Play Protect.
- Check that scanning is on in Settings (gear icon).
- Tap Scan.
Cautions
- Do not ignore a Play Protect warning for an app from outside Google Play.
- Play Protect does not replace care: install apps only from sources you trust.
Related articles
- App permissions on AndroidHow Android runtime permissions work, how to review them per app or per permission, and what 'only while using the app' means.
- Google Play servicesWhat Google Play services does on an Android phone, why it uses battery and storage, and how to update or reset it safely.
- Android System WebViewWhat Android System WebView is, why it is updated through Google Play, and what to do when apps that show web pages crash.
Sources
- Use Google Play Protect to help keep your apps safe and your data private (Google Play Help) support.google.com
- Google Play Protect (Google for Developers) developers.google.com
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