How to strengthen your Android phone's security and privacy
Android includes a wide range of built-in tools to protect users from scams, malware and theft. Experts recommend regularly reviewing and enabling these settings to better safeguard devices and personal data.
Scams are growing more sophisticated as criminals increasingly use artificial intelligence to deceive victims. A 2025 Pew Research Center study found that nearly 75% of Americans have experienced some form of online scam, including AI-generated deepfake voice calls impersonating loved ones.
Keeping software updated
One of the simplest protective steps is keeping both the operating system and apps updated. Users can check their Android version under "About Phone" and install pending system updates through notifications or the Software Updates menu. Google Play also allows automatic app updates to be configured.
Core protective features
Two-factor authentication for a Google account, automatic backups, and the Find Hub app — which can locate, ring, remotely lock or erase a lost device — form the foundation of Android's security toolkit.
Scam detection tools
Android's AI-powered Scam Detection feature, built on Gemini models, currently works only on Google Pixel devices but is set to expand to other phones, starting with the Samsung Galaxy S26. A separate on-device tool flags suspicious text messages without uploading data externally.
Privacy and advertising controls
Users can manage app permissions individually or by category, pause inactive apps' data access, and adjust or fully opt out of personalized advertising and related data sharing.
Guarding against malware and theft
Google Play Protect automatically scans apps for malicious behavior, while theft-protection tools such as Theft Detection Lock and Remote Lock can automatically secure a device if it is forcibly taken or goes offline.
