Honestly as long as you disable installing apps from untrusted sources and only get apps from playstore you’ll be fine. If you really want one, you can look at bitdefender .It has pretty high detection rates Answer from Acceptable_Rub8279 on reddit.com
Avast
avast.com › en-ca › free-mobile-security
Free Antivirus For Android | Antivirus App | Avast Mobile Security
Avast Mobile Security for Android is one of the most well-equipped free antivirus programs for Android users because it enhances your privacy and security with our cutting-edge cybersecurity. You can protect your Android mobile or tablet in real time against the latest types of malware.
AVG
avg.com › en-ca › antivirus-for-android
Free Antivirus App for Android | AVG Mobile Security
Here’s how to get started with our free antivirus app: Download and install AVG AntiVirus for Android from Google Play. Open the app and tap Scan Now. This checks your device for viruses, spyware, or other threats. Tap Remove to safely delete anything harmful the scan finds.
Videos
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Do I need an antivirus on my Android phone?
The short answer is — yes! When compared to other platforms like iOS, Android isn’t all that secure of an operating system. Android OS is notable for having tons of indie developers, coders, and modders around the globe. Unfortunately, this also makes it a playground for hackers.
Ransomware, spyware, cryptojacking software, surveillance apps, and other malware compromise Android users every single day. Android users also face risks from phishing sites, smishing links, and even pickpockets.
If you can’t afford a premium app, you should at least protect yourself with an effective free tool, like Bitdefender.
safetydetectives.com
safetydetectives.com › home › ✔ blog › 6 best (really free) android antivirus apps for 2025
6 Best (REALLY FREE) Android Antivirus Apps for 2025
What are the best free antivirus apps for Android?
My top recommendations are Norton Mobile Security (not 100% free, but it has a 60-day money-back guarantee) and TotalAV Mobile Security (good range of free features).
Norton provides excellent antivirus protection along with a number of other useful features, including dark web monitoring (by far the best dark web monitoring of any antivirus app) and a fast VPN with unlimited browsing data, whereas TotalAV has data breach scanning and a secure browser.
safetydetectives.com
safetydetectives.com › home › ✔ blog › 6 best (really free) android antivirus apps for 2025
6 Best (REALLY FREE) Android Antivirus Apps for 2025
Are free Android antivirus apps safe?
The ones on this list are all safe. I’ve thoroughly tested these apps, and they’re all legitimate, safe, and work exactly as promised. Each app comes from a brand with a strong reputation for creating excellent cybersecurity products. My top pick, Norton Mobile Security, is produced by a company with millions of users worldwide and decades of experience in the cybersecurity industry.
safetydetectives.com
safetydetectives.com › home › ✔ blog › 6 best (really free) android antivirus apps for 2025
6 Best (REALLY FREE) Android Antivirus Apps for 2025
EXPERTE.com
experte.com › antivirus › best free android antivirus
Free Android Antivirus: The 5 Best Free Virus Scanners for Android | EXPERTE.com
Avast Antivirus* is an antivirus program developed by London-based Avast PLC, which joined the Gen Digital (previously Norton LifeLock) family in November 2022. There's a free basic version for Android, along with a premium version that includes ...
SafetyDetectives
safetydetectives.com › home › ✔ blog › 6 best (really free) android antivirus apps for 2025
6 Best (REALLY FREE) Android Antivirus Apps for 2025
April 28, 2025 - While TotalAV’s free offering is good, the premium version offers a wider range of features, including a VPN, real-time protection, and malicious app protection — which you can try out with its 7-day free trial. ... Bitdefender Antivirus is an intuitive Android app that comes with excellent malware detection. Its one-tap antivirus scanner performed very well in my tests, identifying and removing the vast majority of the malware I’d previously downloaded to my phone.
Bitdefender
bitdefender.com › en-ca › consumer › antivirus-free-for-android
Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Android
Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Android offers you essential antivirus protection against all Android threats. It is ready to go right after installation, acting as an effective guardian against mobile malware.
PCWorld
pcworld.com › home › best picks › business best picks
Best free antivirus for Android | PCWorld
September 3, 2025 - The free one is Bitdefender Antivirus, not Bitdefender Mobile Security. The free version does exactly what it says: scans your phone when you ask it to. There’s also some minimal automated scanning from Auto-pilot when you download a new app—a ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/software › best free antivirus for android mobile: do i need one in 2025?
r/software on Reddit: Best free antivirus for android mobile: do I need one in 2025?
June 9, 2025 -
I’m looking for the best free antivirus for android mobile devices. I’ve seen some free antivirus apps with high ratings but also lots of sketchy permissions and weird privacy policies.
Open to all ideas here. What is the best antivirus you used for Android? Do you think I should go for a paid one or free one?
Avira
avira.com › avira antivirus › android
Avira Antivirus Security for Android, now with Free VPN.
Download antivirus for Android now and get your free Android virus removal.
Google Play
play.google.com › store › apps › details
Avast Antivirus & Security - Apps on Google Play
Protect against viruses & other types of malware with Avast Mobile Security, our free antivirus app for Android. Trusted by hundreds of millions. Protect your privacy by receiving alerts when spyware or adware-infected apps are downloaded onto ...
Guru99
guru99.com › home › mobile › security › android › 10 best free antivirus for android (2025)
10 Best FREE Antivirus for Android (2025)
November 5, 2025 - Bitdefender is a remarkable solution for anyone needing an Antivirus for the Android operating system. I tested its on-demand scan feature and found it to be fast and easy to use. It is best for offering a superior choice of security tools, like WiFi scanning, anti-theft features, and firewall protection. The dark web monitoring also impressed me. I noticed that the battery saver and autopilot worked without draining power, which is essential for a long-lasting phone.
Comparitech
comparitech.com › home › antivirus › best free android antivirus
Best free antivirus for Android
September 6, 2024 - In a hurry? Here’s a summary of the best free antivirus for Android: Bitdefender Antivirus Free: Best free antivirus for Android. Uses the same engine as its paid version.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/androidapps › free antivirus anti-malware apps?
r/androidapps on Reddit: Free antivirus Anti-Malware apps?
September 14, 2023 -
Hello all. I am trying to find a free antivirus antimalware app for my mother's android phone... being the boomer she is, her phone is full of junk.
If you could be so kind to suggest free apps that you use, or think highly of, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
*Edit
Thank you all for commenting!
Top answer 1 of 7
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Malware Bytes mobile is solid. I used it to track down an app that was randomly opening Chrome to a spam site. Since Android is so locked down, all an antivirus app can really do is scan the list of apps and alert you if any are known to be malware. It can't scan the code like PC antimalware programs can. Since Google Play already scans apps for malicious code, the odds of an antivirus app knowing an app is malicious before Google does is pretty low. I only use them when a phone is already infected. Make sure app sideloading is disabled in settings.
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Hypatia
Reddit
reddit.com › r/antivirus › what's a good and free anti-virus for android?
r/antivirus on Reddit: What's a good and free anti-virus for android?
September 21, 2023 - Bitdefender has been pretty good other them spamming you for their VPN. If you don't want to pay Sophos is descent. ... Android is great! ... PLEASE HELP. I think my phone has a virus and my 2 antiviruses/vpns are NOT working. Ive done 3 scans and it just keeps happening. Please help ... If Google really wanted to protect users from “malware,” they’d address the root cause (unsafe browsing + malicious ads)and harden Chrome instead of clamping down on the freedom mechanism (sideloading).
AV-TEST
av-test.org › en › antivirus › mobile-devices
Test antivirus software for Android - November 2025 | AV-TEST
AVG Antivirus Free 25.22 · 6 · 6 · 6 · Avira Antivirus Security 7.29 · 6 · 6 · 6 · Bitdefender Mobile Security 3.3 · 6 · 6 · 6 · F-Secure Total Security & VPN 25.9 · 5.5 · 6 · 6 · Google Play Protect 48.8 · 5.5 · 6 · 6 · ...
Lifewire
lifewire.com › best-free-antivirus-android-4151993
4 Best Free Antivirus Apps for Android Phones
September 4, 2023 - You need to have Android 9 or newer to use this app. ... Includes adware, PUA, and anti-theft protection. Can scan files on a schedule. Start a scan quickly via a shortcut. ... Not everything you see is free to use. Every screen advertises the paid edition. Doesn't block malicious sites. Packed with other tools you might not want. Avira’s antivirus app does what all AV apps should do: Automatically scans apps for malware, checks for threats in external storage devices, shows which apps have access to your private information, and is extremely easy to use.
Software Testing Help
softwaretestinghelp.com › home › tools and services › the top 10 free antivirus for android in 2026 [secure apps]
The Top 10 FREE Antivirus for Android in 2026 [SECURE Apps]
October 27, 2021 - AVG Antivirus Free is the best free antivirus for Android. They also offer some paid features, which can be availed for free, for 30 days. This software protects your Android device from viruses and theft.
PCMAG
pcmag.com › home › best products › security › antivirus
The Best Android Antivirus We've Tested for 2026 | PCMag
2 days ago - You can even have it lock up tight after a certain number of failed login attempts. ... Independent antivirus labs consistently award Norton's Android antivirus perfect or near-perfect scores.
ZDNET
zdnet.com › home › tech › services & software
The best Android antivirus apps of 2025: Expert tested | ZDNET
July 23, 2025 - The best Android antivirus app right now is Bitdefender Mobile Security. With 4.7 stars on Google Play and a solid customer base, this option provides robust security, real-time web protection, app scanning, and a host of other security features.
Panda Security
pandasecurity.com › panda security › products › panda dome for android
Free Antivirus for Android - Panda Security
Free Android Antivirus to protect your smartphone, tablet and Android Wear smartwatch. Discover all of its benefits. Includes FREE VPN!