What is Google Play Protect on Android & How to Disable it?

In today's digital age, our Android devices have become an integral part of our lives.

From storing important data to accessing our favorite apps, our smartphones are packed with valuable information. Meanwhile, finding a reliable and comprehensive security solution can be overwhelming.

That’s where Google Play Protect comes in.

1. What is Google Play Protect on Android?

Google Play Protect is a built-in security feature on Android devices that aims to keep users safe from threats such as malware, viruses, and harmful apps. Its standout feature is its ability to automatically scan, update, and assist in removing malicious apps from a device.

Given the increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets, cybercriminals are constantly exploring avenues to exploit vulnerabilities in the Android operating system.

In response to these alarming statistics, Google Play Protect serves as an additional layer of security by meticulously scanning all installed apps and monitoring their behavior.

Google Play Protect conducts scans on a staggering 125 billion apps each day and, through offline scanning, successfully blocks more than 300 million Potentially Harmful Applications (PHA) annually.

This helps to prevent the installation of apps that could potentially compromise user information or harm the device.

2. How Google Play Protect Safeguards Your Device?

Google Play Protect utilizes a combination of advanced technologies and machine learning algorithms to keep your Android device secure.

When an app is downloaded from the Google Play Store, it undergoes a rigorous scanning process to determine its safety. Google Play Protect analyzes the app's behavior, permissions, and other factors to spot any potential risks.

This Android device guardian employs cloud-based app-verification services to identify potentially harmful applications (PHAs) in apps. If a PHA is detected, the user will receive a notification prompting him to remove it. Useless PHAs will be deleted from affected devices, preventing further installations.

Google Play Protect conducts daily scans, swiftly identifying threats, minimizing exposure time, and safeguarding devices. During the scan, 93% of PHAs are detected. Data is only transmitted to Google servers when a suspected PHA is found, conserving your precious data.

If a malicious app is detected, Google Play Protect will either block the installation or prompt the user to remove the app if it has already been installed. This seamless integration with the Google Play Store lets you download apps with confidence, knowing your device's security is never compromised.

Furthermore, if an app requests user permission to access your personal information while also breaking Google's Developer Policy, Google Play Protect will generate a privacy alert. On some Android versions, it may also reset app permissions to protect your privacy.

3. Play Protect Certification: A Stamp of Security

When you buy a new Android device, make sure that it comes with the Google Play Protect logo. Android conducts countless tests to make sure Play Protect-certified adhere to the Android security standards. These devices also run on the latest software versions.

Moreover, Play Protect-certified devices are guaranteed to be free from any harmful software that might come pre-installed.

They also come equipped with Google Play Protect, which includes security features like Find My Device and automatic virus scans. This offers a fundamental defense against malware, privacy breaches, and other threats.

4. Where to Access Google Play Protect Information?

5. How to Turn Google Play Protect on or off?

Google Play Protect is turned on by default. However, it can be disabled, though it is advised to turn it on at all times for security reasons. You can follow these simple steps to enable or disable Google Play Protect.

6. Is it Effective? Some Shortcomings of Google Play Protect

Despite its features and benefits that contribute to a secure Android experience, Google Play Protect also comes with an imperfect score in malware detection results.

A. It is reported that in the test conducted by independent AV-TEST security analysts, only 80.7% of the 2,896 real-time threats that were presented to Play Protect were discovered and removed.

B. In the widespread malware test, it scored only 90% of 2,964 live viruses. In comparison, Avast, Bitdefender, and Norton 360 all scored perfect 100% on those two malware tests in January 2022.

C. Google Play Protect has issues with false positives and the detection of harmless apps. Avast, Malwarebytes, and Bitdefender all experienced one false positive throughout the testing, whereas Bitdefender didn't have any.

Google Play Protect, in comparison, had 12 false positives, which could lead users to disregard its warnings.

Given these shortcomings, you shouldn't rely solely on Google Play Protect to shield your devices, especially for maintaining a large number of devices.

In case you are managing a fleet of mobile devices...

In enterprises, leveraging Mobile Device Management (MDM) integrated with Google Android Enterprise is the best solution to secure your corporate data on various devices in one go.

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7. Conclusion

To ensure your Android device stays secure without much hassle, there are two simple steps you can take. First, make sure your device has the Google Play Protect certification logo. Second, keep Google Play Protect active.

This feature provides essential functions like daily checks for potentially harmful apps and automatic removal of suspicious ones. It's a reliable security measure for both personal and business devices, though it may not be as fast as some third-party security apps in detecting and removing malware.

For a comprehensive solution to enhance your Android's security and effectively manage a large number of devices at once, consider using Mobile Device Management (MDM). AirDroid Business is a great option that allows you to set your own device policies and ensures all your devices are kept up-to-date with flexible rollout options.

Explore more benefits of AirDroid Business by scheduling a demo or getting a free trial!

8. FAQs

Do I need to activate Google Play Protect?

Maverick

Yes, it's important to have it activated. Basically, this built-in security feature is always on. You need to keep activating it for added security on your Android device.

Does Google Play Protect scan sideloaded apps?

Maverick

Yes, Google Play Protect will scan apps from sources other than the Play Store to detect and prevent potential security threats on Android devices.

How often does Google Play Protect scan my device?

Maverick

Google Play Protect evaluates apps daily and continuously scans your device in the background for security concerns.

Can I turn off Google Play Protect?

Maverick

Yes, you have the option to disable Google Play Protect. However, it's generally advised not to do so. Turning it off can potentially leave your Android device vulnerable, especially when you're in the process of installing an app that hasn't been certified for safety.

Can Google Play Protect remove malicious apps?

Maverick

Yes, it can recognize and automatically remove harmful apps from your Android device to enhance security. In most circumstances, you will receive a notification stating that a malicious app has been found and uninstalled.

Is Google Play Protect free?

Maverick

Yes, Google Play Protect is a free security service provided by Google for Android devices. It is designed to help protect your Android device from potentially harmful applications (PHAs), security threats, and other risks. Google Play Protect operates in the background, scanning apps on your device and in the Google Play Store to identify and remove potentially harmful software.

How to remove google play protect?

Maverick

Please note that it's generally not recommended to disable Google Play Protect, as it provides important security features. However, if you need to address a specific issue, you can disable scanning for harmful apps temporarily. Keep in mind that doing this may expose your device to potential security risks.
1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Go to "Google" or "Google Settings."
3. Select "Security."
4. Under "Google Play Protect," toggle off "Scan device for security threats."