How to Scan Your Android Phone for Viruses: Complete Security Guide (2026)

Malware and viruses can silently drain your Android phone’s battery, steal your personal data, or fill your screen with unwanted ads. The good news: Google Play Protect makes it easy to scan your phone for threats in just a few minutes, keeping you protected without any technical knowledge required.

What is Virus Scanning?

Virus scanning is the process of checking your Android phone for malware—malicious software designed to steal your data, drain your battery, or display unwanted ads. Google Play Protect, built into every Android phone with Google Mobile Services, performs this security check automatically in the background and can also run manual scans on demand. Think of it like a health checkup for your phone: it examines all your installed apps and system files to detect infections you might not even know you have. [Current as of: Android 15 (2024)]

Why Use This Feature?

• Peace of mind: Know whether your apps and system are safe from malware, even if you haven’t noticed anything unusual
• Real-time protection: Google Play Protect scans your apps continuously in the background, identifying threats before they cause damage
• Automatic threat removal: If malware is detected, you can remove it immediately with a single tap—no technical knowledge required
• Global security: Google Play Protect performs over 100 billion app scans daily and has identified more than 13 million new malicious apps outside the Play Store, demonstrating constant protection worldwide

Things to Consider

• Requires Google Mobile Services (GMS): Google Play Protect is not available on devices without GMS, which is common in China and some custom Android builds. If your phone doesn’t show Google Play Store, you won’t have access to Play Protect
• Storage requirements: Google Play Protect Service requires approximately 25 MB of storage space—a minimal footprint on modern Android devices
• Scan duration varies: Manual scans typically take 1–3 minutes depending on how many apps you have installed and your device’s performance, though some system-level scans may complete more quickly
• Regional availability: While available globally in major markets, Play Protect’s interface may vary slightly between device manufacturers (Samsung vs. stock Android)

How to Scan Your Android Phone for Viruses: Step by Step

1. Open the Google Play Store app by tapping the colorful shopping bag icon on your home screen or in your app drawer.

2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner of the Play Store screen. It looks like a circle containing your photo or initials.

3. Select ‘Manage apps & device’ from the menu that appears after tapping your profile icon.

4. Tap the ‘Manage’ tab at the top of the screen to view all your installed apps.

5. Look for ‘Google Play Protect’ in the list. You may need to scroll up to find it since apps are typically listed alphabetically. Tap on ‘Google Play Protect’ to open the security checker.

6. Tap the ‘Scan’ button to begin checking all your apps for malware. The button will be clearly visible on the screen.

7. Wait for the scan to complete (typically 1–3 minutes). You’ll see a progress indicator filling up. Your phone may feel slightly slower during this time—this is completely normal.

8. Review your scan results. When the scan finishes, you’ll see one of two messages:

   • ‘Your device is secure’: All apps are clean—no threats found.
   • List of threats: If malware is detected, you’ll see it listed here.

9. If threats are found, tap ‘Remove’ to delete the infected apps automatically. Google Play Protect will immediately remove the dangerous software.

10. Take a screenshot of your results for your records, showing that you’ve completed your security check. You’re now done! Consider setting a weekly reminder to repeat this scan for ongoing protection.

What to Do If Threats Are Found

If your scan discovers malware, don’t panic. Google Play Protect will offer to remove the infected apps automatically. Simply tap ‘Remove,’ and the dangerous software is deleted immediately. After removal, the threat is gone from your device.

If the same threat keeps appearing after you’ve removed it, try this approach: (1) Open Google Play Store, (2) Search for the problematic app, (3) Tap ‘Uninstall’ to remove it completely, (4) Wait 24 hours, (5) Reinstall the app fresh from Google Play Store. If the problem persists, contact your phone manufacturer’s support team—they can provide device-specific assistance.

For extra protection going forward, stick to downloading apps only from Google Play Store rather than third-party websites, where malware is more common.

Additional Security Tips Between Scans

Regular virus scanning works best alongside these simple daily habits:

• Download apps only from Google Play Store, not third-party websites or app marketplaces
• Avoid clicking suspicious links in emails, text messages, or unfamiliar websites
• Keep your operating system updated by going to Settings > About Phone > System Update and installing updates when available
• Enable automatic app updates in Google Play Store (Settings > General > About > Auto-update apps > Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only or Auto-update apps over any network)
• Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi to encrypt your data when connecting to unsecured networks
• Avoid rooting your device, which bypasses built-in security protections

These practices, combined with regular scanning through Google Play Protect, provide robust protection against malware. According to Google’s latest security data, Google Play Protect has identified over 13 million new malicious apps outside the Play Store, demonstrating the importance of staying vigilant.

Scanning your Android phone for viruses takes just a few minutes and gives you immediate confidence that your device is protected from malware. By combining regular scans with smart daily habits—like downloading only from Google Play Store and keeping your software updated—you’ll maintain strong security and enjoy your Android phone with peace of mind.