How to protect your Android with security apps and Play Protect

Your mobile phone is your digital life in your pocket and, therefore, Secure Android with security apps y built-in functions It's an excellent idea if you handle banking, messaging, or sensitive photos. With the right tools, you can prevent malware, fraud and unauthorized access without complications and with minimal impact on performance.

In the following lines you will find a complete guide that brings together the most important of Google Play Protect, app locks by manufacturer, third-party options and good practices of ciberseguridad. In addition, we added Tricks useful for reviewing permissions, managing privacy alerts, and resolving the 'uncertified device' warning when it appears on Google Play.

What Google Play Protect does and why you should always have it active

Google Play Protect works in the background to reduce risks: verify apps before downloading them From the Play Store, it periodically scans your device and reviews installations from other sources (external sources), known as malware or PHAs. If it detects danger, it notifies you and automatically applies measures to prevent damage.

Among its most useful functions, check the security of the apps in the Play Store prior to download, it scans apps installed outside the official store, displays clear warnings if an app is potentially harmful, and can disable or remove it from the device without user intervention.

Additionally, Play Protect notifies you if an app violates the unwanted software policy by hide or misrepresent key information, it sends privacy alerts when it detects permissions that open the door to personal data, and in some versions of Android it can automatically reset permissions on apps you don't use.

Finally, you can prevent the installation of unverified apps that ask for sensitive device permissions, common in financial fraud attacks. This layer reduces the risk of Trojans designed to steal credentials, intercept SMS or impersonate mobile banking.

How to check if your device is Play Protect certified

Certification is not the same as Play Protect, but it is worth checking to confirm that your phone meets the compatibility and security requirements from Google. This check is simple and only takes a few seconds from the Play Store.

1. Open the app Google Play Store and touch the your profile icon in the upper right corner.
2. Sign in Configuration or Settings according to your interface.
3. Access the section Information and look for the Play Protect certification section.

If you see the status as 'certified', it means the device has passed Google's checks; if not, we'll explain how later. address the 'uncertified device' message to return to normal.

Turn Play Protect on or off (recommended to keep it on)

Play Protect is coming enabled by default On the vast majority of Android devices, although you can check and adjust its behavior. For security reasons, it's best to always leave it on.

1. Open Google Play Store and tap on the profile icon.
2. Sign in Play Protect and tap on Settings.
3. Activate the option Scan apps with Play Protect.

You can also enable the setting that improves threat detection by allowing unknown apps to be automatically sent to Google, which is useful for increasing the level of proactive protection against newly emerging malware.

Submit unknown apps to Google for more accurate detection

If you install from alternative stores or APK files, Play Protect may suggest send those unknown apps to examine them in depth. When you enable 'Improve malicious app detection,' the system automatically forwards the packets to Google for analysis.

1. Open Google Play Store, log in with your profile icon and go to Play Protect.
2. Accede to Configuration within Play Protect.
3. Activate the setting Improve the detection of malicious apps to assist in identifying threats.

This submission helps Google evaluate the code and provide more reliable results on whether the app is safe or potentially dangerous, strengthening the collective intelligence against new malware variants.

What happens if Play Protect detects a dangerous app?

When Play Protect detects risks, it can take various actions to cut the threat Root. You'll usually receive a notification with the option to uninstall the problematic app in one tap.

• Alert and uninstall guided by notification.
• Temporarily disable the app until you remove it from your device.
• Automatic removal in the most obvious cases, with subsequent notification explaining that it has been removed.

These steps prevent further damage, reduce There of exposure and minimize the likelihood of malware stealing data or compromise your finances with premium SMS fraud or bank phishing.

Protection against malware and dangerous URLs

To offer you comprehensive protection, Google may receive information about network connections, potentially harmful URLs, the operating system, and apps installed on your device, both from the Play Store and other sources.

If a URL or app is suspicious, you'll see a warning. And if it's confirmed to be harmful, Google may block its installation or remove it to protect devices, data, and users. Occasionally, you'll be prompted to scan an app not on Play; the scan delves deeper into the code to give you a more reliable verdict. If you suspect a compromise, learn how to scan for it. Install and use MVT.

You can disable some of these protections in your device settings, although Google may still receive data about you. apps installed through PlayConsider keeping your shields active: the balance usually tips in favor of safety.

Automatically reset permissions on apps you don't use

In order to protect your privacy, Play Protect can reset permissions on apps that you haven't opened in a while on devices with Android versions between 6.0 and 10. If an app is not used within 3 months, the system may remove sensitive permissions and notify you.

Critical app permissions for the device's operation will not be touched, and you can easily manage all this behavior from the Play Protect settings to suit your needs. real needs.

How to review or manage reset permissions

1. Open Google Play Store and tap on the profile icon.
2. Sign in Play Protect and then in Settings.
3. Press on Unused app permissions to see what has been restored.

If you don't want permissions to be reset for a specific app, select that app and disable the option. Remove permissions if the app is not usedThis way, you'll maintain its original behavior even if you use it sporadically.

You can also manage it from the settings of each app: go to the app in the settings, go to Permissions and enable or disable 'Remove permissions if the app is not used' as you prefer for that specific case.

Privacy alerts when an app is removed from the Play Store

If an app disappears from Google Play because it can access your personal information If you're using an app that's been removed improperly, Play Protect will notify you so you can quickly uninstall it. This warning helps you react without having to search for news or lists of removed apps.

How to fix the 'uncertified device' warning

Device certification and Play Protect are separate processes, so if you get the 'device not certified' error, there's no point in trying to fix it with the options. Play Protect. Instead, use the specific solution path.

1. On the notification screen, click on Fix device problem or 'Solve problem'.
2. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

If you need to locate this section manually: open the Google Play app, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, then About, and scroll down to Play Protect Certification. There you'll see the status and, if applicable, a button to resolve it.

Spam and phishing filtering: avoid annoying contacts and dangerous sites

In addition to protecting apps, it's a good idea to stop spam and phishing attempts. Some Google services help automatically exclude fraudulent messages and calls, now show warnings when you visit a website identified as dangerous.

If you use the Google Messages app, you can turn on protection features that filter out suspicious senders and reduce your risk of falling into social engineering traps via SMS or RCS, which remain a common attack vector.

Lock apps with a password on Android: native options by manufacturer

In addition to Play Protect, many manufacturers integrate methods to lock apps with password, PIN, pattern, or biometrics. First, set up a general screen lock: go to Settings, Security, and choose PIN, pattern, or password to protect your device.

Samsung: Secure Folder

Samsung phones include 'Secure Folder,' an encrypted space where you can protect apps and files with a robust authentication method. It's very convenient if you want to separate sensitive data of the rest of the telephone.

1. Go to Settings and enter Biometric data and security.
2. Press on Secure Folder and set PIN, pattern, password or fingerprint.
3. Add the apps you want to keep protected inside that folder.

Xiaomi: App Lock in MIUI

In MIUI, Xiaomi offers a native lock system with recent improvements, including support for facial recognition in modern versions. The interface makes it easy to quickly choose which apps you want to protect.

1. Open Settings and go to Privacy and protection (or Applications, depending on the version).
2. Accede to Application blocking.
3. Set the unlocking method (fingerprint, PIN, pattern or face) and select the apps.

Huawei: App blocking in EMUI

Devices with EMUI allow you to protect apps without additional installations. You can use PIN, pattern, password or biometrics and even facial recognition when supported by the model, keeping access control in a couple of taps.

1. Open Settings and go to Security.
2. Tap on Application blocking and choose your authentication method.
3. Select the apps you want to protect and activate the lock.

Google Pixel: Individual app lock

On modern Android Pixels, Google has built in a system to block apps individually without resorting to third parties. It's easy to use and maintains a pure Android experience.

1. Go to Settings and enter Privacy .
2. Accede to Application blocking, set PIN, pattern or password.
3. Check the apps you want to protect to require authentication when opening them.

Third-Party Apps to Block Apps: Popular Options

If your phone doesn't include a native lock, you can use third-party solutions. The process is similar: install the app, set a PIN or pattern, and choose which applications to protect to require authentication upon opening.

Please note that 'Norton App Lock' was discontinued on June 11, 2024. Instead, alternatives such as AppLock (DoMobile Lab), with a very clear interface and a wide range of functions, and 'Application Lock' (InShot Inc.), valued for its simplicity.

Alternatively AppLock – Fingerprint (Lock), which adds biometric verification, call blocking, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection restriction, and automatic blocking of new installations. Review ratings and permissions before installing to maintain the balance between security and privacy.

Android security best practices: reduce risks from the start

Threats targeting Android have grown significantly over the years, and attackers are looking to capitalize on each infection. The good news is that with simple habits, you can avoid the vast majority of these threats. dangerous situations.

Update frequently

Updates aren't just about new features: they include security patches that block vulnerabilities. Maintain your Android version and your apps up to date can make you immune to much of the malware that circulates, according to sector studies.

Avoid third-party stores and download sites

The Play Store implements controls to stop malware, but external sources don't always. Installing from alternative sites can expose you to malware. tampered packages with adware, Trojans, or spyware. If you need an APK, be extremely cautious.

Review permits critically

When you install or open an app for the first time, note what permissions it requests. If a game asks to read SMS or access your microphone without reason, be suspicious. Deny unnecessary permissions limits the impact if an app misbehaves.

Beware of public Wi-Fi

Open networks are convenient but not always secure. Avoid sensitive transactions (banking, shopping) on Public Wi‑Fi. If there is no other option, use mobile data or a VPN reliable for encrypt traffic and reduce exposure.

Choose your security software wisely

There are excellent free solutions, but also fake antiviruses. Always download from trusted providers and check reviews and permissions. If you opt for a paid suite with constant updates, you'll gain in coverage and support against emerging threats.

Information for developers: If your app is listed as harmful

If you develop apps, Google may ask you send each new version for verification. If Play Protect flags your app as harmful or unwanted, review permissions, behavior, and policy compliance before resubmitting it, avoiding practices that hide or falsify information to the users.