Some were even fake apps designed to harvest user data! While I did find a few good free apps, no free app is going to provide all of the security tools you need to keep your Android 100% safe. Most of the free Android antivirus apps I tested were ineffective against malware, filled with annoying ads, or falsely advertised as free - a lot of “free” apps are really just free trials or very limited versions of the premium apps. I tested all of the free antivirus apps in the Google Play Store - after weeks of testing, I only found a few products which I’m confident can keep Androids well-protected against malware. Get 2023’s best Android security app here (up to 60 days risk-free).It’s not 100% free, but it has a 14-day free trial, and if you get it as part of Norton’s multi-device plans, you can try it for 60 days risk-free. It’s the best Android antivirus on the market - detecting and removing all Android malware and sketchy apps, blocking phishing sites, and offering extras like Wi-Fi monitoring, a VPN, and identity theft protection.

Short on time? Here’s the best free Android antivirus in 2023:

Malwarebytes free for android tablet