Do I Need Antivirus For Android in 2026?

Android is the number one smartphone developer in the world, and has more users than either Windows or iOS. And that popularity makes it a fine target for cybercriminals, of course which raises concerns relating to malware, spyware and the theft of your data. The question that many individuals who use this Android version are asking is one of the simplest ones – Does an Android phone really need a third-party antivirus application installed or are you okay with the protection that comes with the package?

Viewed from the point of view of a reviewer the answer can be found not so much in the fear-based marketing but instead in how Android’s security model really works in the real world.

Why Android Is a Bigger Target Than You Would Think

Android’s open ecosystem is its strengths and weaknesses. Compared to tightly controlled platforms, Android is flexible – custom launchers, sideloaded applications, and deep system access to developers. This openness gets reflected in an increase in opportunities for misuse, especially with the use of apps, which are installed outside the official channels by the users.

However, the fact that it has a large target does not mean that it is not safe. Security is ultimately a combination of system-level security, update discipline and user behaviour.

Google Play Protect- Built-in Antivirus Layer for Android

Android’s first line of defence is Google Play Protect, which, a security service built into Android, can be found on almost all Android devices that contain the Play Store. It is capable of scanning the apps for malicious behaviour on an ongoing basis before and after an application has been installed.

Apps from the App Store are automatically scanned and that’s why many people receive reassuring messages “No harmful apps found” on a regular basis. What is more important is that Play Protect does not stop at this – it also happens to watch apps installed from outside the Play Store, and through sideload of APKs. While sideloading always comes with the extra risk, if you have a background scanner the likelihood of the obvious movements of malware getting through the cracks unnoticed is reduced.

Play Protect is also built into the Safe Browsing feature in Chrome. When a user clicked on a website known to have malicious scripts or attempts at phishing, Chrome would provide a warning and would not allow access. This web-level protection prevents the opening of yet another avenue of attack which is very common.

From a reviewer’s standpoint, Play Protect has the same basic functionality as most antivirus apps: app scanning, threat detection and basic web safety.

Monthly Security Updates- The Silent but Crucial Shield

Another level of security that is present in Android that we don’t even think about is monthly security updates. These patches don’t have any fancy features introduced, but quietly patch vulnerabilities that the real attackers actually exploit.

New security holes are coming out all the time. When there isn’t any routine update this makes it extremely powerful antivirus software, which is not able to compensate for all the weak factors in the operating system itself. Google releases security patches every month but device manufacturers have power over the speed at which they reach the user.

Brands such as Google (with Pixel devices) and Samsung are generally considered to be the best when it comes to update timeliness. Devices that get patches late – or not at all – are therefore exposed for longer periods of time, causing actual real-world risk.

This is where so many of the Android issues have to do with security – too old software, and not the lack of antivirus apps.

Are Built-in Protections Sufficient for Most Users?

In a very large majority of Android users the answer is yes. Play Protect being on it means the Chrome warnings are on and monthly security updates are being installed on a regular basis, so Android already offers quite a bit of base defence.

Responsible usage plays a huge factor. Downloading apps only from the Play Store, avoiding places on the web that look suspicious, and avoiding clicking on links in web pages emailed or in messages also minimizes the risk tremendously. In such situations, the addition of a third-party antivirus does not mean that the user gets an additional degree of protection but ends up duplicating the features.

From the perspective of review, then, a lot of antivirus apps are subscriptions to peace of mind instead of a necessity for normal users.

When and Why an Antivirus App Would Be Your Best Option

There are some cases for the installation of an antivirus app though. There are devices that don’t have access to the Play Store – easy to find in some places or some custom ROMs – so that Play Protect does not work there. Similarly, users who regularly sideload applications from unknown or unverified sources are more exposed to malware.

Another problem is the older phones that have outdated forms of Android. Over time, vulnerabilities were added if security updates ceased to take place. In cases like these, good security software like Bitdefender or Norton 360 can help and give you another layer of ‘looks over’ especially with phishing detection and app behaviour analysis.

Here, antivirus software becomes a safety net instead of becoming an alternative to system updates.

Conclusion

The moral of the story is painfully obvious. Adding an antivirus app is not a necessity for all Android phones. With Play Protect turned on, a modern version of Android and with some common sense when it comes to usage, most users are well protected anyway.

Where antivirus apps come in handy is mostly in edge cases – unsupported devices, risky installation patterns or lack of Google services in the environment, for everyone else Android’s semi-built-in tools do the heavy lifting (quietly and effectively).

In a nutshell, as long as an Android phone’s coming with the Play Store, and is up to date then the download of an antivirus app is more of an option than an absolute requirement.

Also Read: The Latest Android Version: What You Need to Know About Android 15?