Google Play Protect is an in-built service that automatically scans all the apps on your Android device for malware. Google Play Protect warns you about any detected potentially harmful apps that it finds, and it removes known harmful apps on your device.
How to Check for Malware Using Google Play Protect
- On your Android device, go to the Google Play Store app. You can find this app by tapping the Apps icon at the bottom of your home screen.
- Then tap the menu button. This is the three-line icon in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Next, tap on Google Play Protect. This will show you the status of your device and the results of the latest scan.
- Tap the scan button to force your Android device to check for malware.
- If you see any harmful apps on your device, you will see an option to remove it.
How Google Play Protect works
Google Play Protect checks apps when you install them. It also periodically scans your device. If it finds a potentially harmful app, it might:
- Send you a notification. To remove the app, tap the notification, then tap Uninstall.
- Disable the app until you uninstall it.
- Remove the app automatically. In most cases, if a harmful app has been detected, you will get a notification saying the app was removed.