Are you wondering which device is more secure? We’ve compared different aspects of the iPhone and Android extensively. These are our findings, including the better operation system on each front:
Device and operating system security: iPhone App security: iPhone Updates and update frequency: iPhone Third-party security apps: Draw Threats: iPhone
iPhones are generally more secure than Android smartphones, but they’re not impervious to malware, scammers, and other online threats. Whether you’re an iPhone or Android user, there are various ways to enhance the security of your smartphone. We recommend you avoid rooting, keep your phone updated, and use security tools like antivirus and a virtual private network (VPN). Cybercriminals are aware of the ubiquity of smartphones and our dependence on them. As a result, there has been a spike in attacks targeting mobile devices over the past few years. According to Check Point, 97 percent of companies have dealt with mobile threats in the past year, and at least 40 percent of mobile devices have hardware vulnerabilities that can expose them to malware, security breaches, and denial of service (DoS) attacks. Most smartphones in use today are running either Google’s Android or Apple’s iOS. Wondering which is more secure? This extensive iPhone vs. Android security comparison will answer that question. We also highlight some safety tips to help safeguard your privacy whether you’re using an Android smartphone or an iPhone.
Common Smartphone Threats
To provide context for our Android vs. iOS security comparison, here’s a quick look at some common threats to smartphone users.
Mobile banking trojans: This malware can intercept SMS traffic to steal login credentials and authentication codes when you’re signing in to banking and investment apps using two-factor authentication. Mobile ransomware: Mobile ransomware targets smartphones, infecting them and blocking access to files until a ransom fee is paid. Mobile spyware: Mobile spyware can expose everything you do on your smartphone; the websites you visit, your passwords, and other private information. Mobile adware: Mobile adware floods your device with pop-ups and other ads. It can also expose you to malware. Phishing: Cybercriminals are increasingly taking advantage of instant messaging apps to launch sophisticated phishing attacks and deceive victims. QR code scams: Scammers can trick victims into scanning malicious QR codes, which can expose your login credentials and other private information. Hackers: Hackers are always on the prowl for hardware and software vulnerabilities on smartphones that can allow them to access private information on these devices. Hackers often take advantage of lax security practices, like re-using the same password and accessing banking apps over unsecured public WiFi, to launch attacks.
iOS vs. Android: Device and Operating System Security
Our analysis of iOS vs. Android security must begin with assessing both operating systems. No matter how advanced your smartphone is, if your operating system has security flaws, you’ll be exposed to the devious schemes of threat actors.
iPhone
Apple’s iPhones are generally thought to be more secure than smartphones running on Android. But just how secure are iPhones? One of the underlying reasons for the iPhone’s high level of security is that the device and the operating system (OS) are inextricably linked. Apple can extensively test its devices and OS to understand how they perform together. This allows the company to identify and fix potential security issues that may create vulnerabilities. It also allows Apple to implement a uniform security strategy and monitor its systems effectively. It’s worth noting that Apple’s iOS generally does not allow root access, even on some jailbroken phones. This prevents unauthorized access to hardware functions and non-public subsystems. It is one of the reasons why some experts believe iPhones don’t need an antivirus. Note: While giving apps root privileges on iPhones can be tricky, it’s not impossible. Also, iOS is closed-source. This means it’s proprietary software, and the source code is not publicly available. So developers can’t copy or modify it. There have been leaks of the iOS source code over the years. Still, the fact that it’s closed-source generally makes it more difficult for cybercriminals to identify and exploit potential vulnerabilities. Just like Android, there are occasional discoveries of bugs on iOS, which may pose a security threat. Both Google and Apple release timely fixes for bugs, often before the vulnerabilities become known to the public. iPhones are not immune to security exploits, malware, and other cyber threats. In May, cybersecurity experts found that the Low-Power Mode on some iPhones may pose a cybersecurity risk. And, in December, Apple fixed a zero-day vulnerability that would have allowed threat actors to run malicious code on iPhones.
Android
Android is the most popular mobile OS in the world; it is pre-installed on thousands of smartphone models from different manufacturers. This presents a wide attack surface for cybercriminals to exploit. With Android running on so many unique smartphones, which were designed independently of Google, there are higher chances of minor bugs, OS compatibility issues, and instances of systems running older versions of the OS. These, and the less strict review process for apps to appear on the Google Play Store, is why Android devices are more likely to be infected with malware and may be more prone to other security vulnerabilities. According to the 2021 Nokia Threat Intelligence Report, Android devices account for over 50 percent of all mobile malware infections. During the VivaTech 2021 conference, Tim Cook echoed similar sentiments, saying Android devices are exposed to 47 times more malware than iPhones. “Why is that? It’s because we’ve designed iOS in such a way that there’s one App Store and all of the apps are reviewed prior to going on the store. That keeps a lot of this malware stuff out of our ecosystem,” Cook explained in a VivaTech video. It also appears that attempts to make the Android OS more user-friendly have also inevitably made it more prone to malware infection. In a 2020 mobile malware evolution report, the Kaspersky threat intelligence team said Google’s decision to support Accessibility Services on Android devices corresponds with a rise in Android spyware. Google tried to resolve this in 2021 by limiting access to the Accessibility API to services created for people with disability. There are perks to Android’s open-source code, like Google’s massive bug bounty programs that allow programmers across the world to find potential security vulnerabilities in the Android OS. However, it also has some downsides. Access to the code makes it easier for cybercriminals to identify and exploit security loopholes.
Verdict
Apple’s tight control over its devices and the iOS operating system means iPhones are generally more secure than Android devices.
iPhone vs. Android: App Security
App security is an important subject to consider when analyzing iPhone vs. Android security. Can you trust the apps on the Play Store and App Store? Are there measures to limit users’ exposure to potentially malicious apps?
iPhone
iPhone users can only download apps from the official Apple App Store unless their device is jailbroken. This may seem restrictive, but it’s a key part of Apple’s overall security strategy. Every app on the App Store is manually reviewed by a member of the Apple Review team before it is listed. According to a 2019 exposé by CNBC, controversial apps are forwarded to an “executive review board,” who deliberate and decide if they should appear on the App Store. Also, all third-party apps on iOS are sandboxed. This means they’re blocked from accessing your files and other apps. They’re also restricted from changing your device settings. This prevents malicious apps from compromising your device. Apple’s stringent review policy for the apps on its App Store has not stopped some malicious programs from slipping through. In October 2022, Meta warned iPhone and Android users about 400 malicious apps designed to steal Facebook login credentials. These apps passed the security checks to appear on Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store. There have been a few other discoveries of malicious apps on the App Store.
Android
Android users have significantly more apps to choose from than iPhone users, and Google offers excellent app security. However, we find some things worrying. For instance, you can easily install apps that do not come from the Google Play Store on Android devices. On a positive note, Android apps are also sandboxed. And Google Play Protect checks apps for malware and other issues. According to Google, it scans “more than 100 billion apps daily” on the Play Store and periodically scans devices for potentially malicious apps. Despite Google’s security measures, researchers often discover malicious apps on the Play Store that have been installed on millions of Android devices. In one instance in December 2022, mobile security firm Zimperium discovered a group of Trojan viruses disguised as educational tools that have infected more than 300,000 devices.
Verdict
Apple provides better app security for iPhone users than Google does for Android users. While both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store are guilty of letting some malicious apps through, there are more frequent reports of this happening on the latter. And while it’s relatively easy to install third-party apps on Android devices from outside the Play Store, the same cannot be said for iPhones.
iOS vs. Android: Updates and Update Frequency
Frequent updates are vital for improving the functionality of devices and patching potential security vulnerabilities. Below, we assess the updates and update frequency of iPhones vs. Android.
iPhone
Since the current version of Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS 16, was released in September 2022, there have been at least seven updates. Apple’s iOS has received over 70 major updates in the 15 years of its existence. Apple usually releases a new version of its iOS every year. Between these major releases, there are frequent patches — typically monthly, but sometimes weekly. Thanks to Apple’s tight control over its ecosystem, the company can roll out updates at once to all iOS devices. This ensures the timely delivery of vital security patches to avoid a potential large-scale compromise. Apple also supports devices with updates for five to seven years, that’s much longer than Android does, which is three to five years.
Android
The Android operating system has received about 66 major updates since its launch in 2008. It also receives regular patches to improve its security and functionality. These smaller updates are sometimes monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly. Since Android is used on numerous devices, manufacturers must independently test updates and fix compatibility issues before rolling them out. This takes time. So, it can take significantly longer for users to receive Android updates. As a result, Android users receive updates less frequently than iPhone users, which may leave them exposed to malicious exploits.
Verdict
Apple’s control over its devices allows the company to push much-needed security patches quickly across its ecosystem. Apple’s update frequency has increased by 51 percent since Tim Cook took charge of the company. Interestingly, according to data from cybersecurity firm Clario, there has been a lot more search interest in iPhone update issues than Android over the last 12 years. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Android updates are better, but it may indicate that Android has fewer update issues.
iOS vs. Android: Third-Party Security Apps
Today, more than ever, it’s essential to protect your devices with trusted security apps, like an antivirus, VPN, password manager, and ad blocker. Below, we’ll briefly assess which OS has more third-party security apps; iPhone or Android. There are over three billion Android users and over one billion iPhone users. So, there is no shortage of competition among software developers creating apps for these operating systems. Since the Play Store has more apps than Apple’s App Store, we can assume that Android users have a wider array of third-party security apps to choose from. Nonetheless, there are numerous highly-rated third-party security apps available for both iPhone and Android users.
Verdict
There are plenty of options for third-party security apps designed for iPhones and Android phones. Provided you only get apps from the official Google Play Store and Apple App Store, you’re safe.
iPhone vs. Android: Threats
The security of your device or operating system doesn’t just depend on inherent vulnerabilities in the hardware or operating systems. Cybercriminals use various techniques to snag unsuspecting victims, including spreading malware disguised as software. There are plenty of threats to both iPhones and Android devices. However, researchers have found that most mobile malware targets Android devices. This doesn’t mean that iPhones are immune to malware. Android devices may be more susceptible to malware because of the popularity of this operating system and the fact that it supports sideloading. In October 2021, Apple released a threat analysis of sideloading that said it ultimately allows more harmful apps to reach users.
Verdict
Android’s popularity and less restricted nature likely make the operating system a more attractive target for cybercriminals. While Apple’s closed policy may protect iPhone users from malware — to a certain extent — it doesn’t protect them from other threats like phishing and social engineering attacks, password compromise, network spoofing, and so much more. Below, we outline some safety tips for iPhone and Android users.
Safety Tips for Android and iPhone users
Google and Apple take different approaches to security with their respective operating systems, and while the iPhone may be more secure, Android phones have their perks. Here’s how you can improve the safety of your device, whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android device.
iPhone safety tips
Avoid jailbreaking your device and getting apps from outside the App Store! It may be tempting to sideload apps you can’t get on the App Store. However, this exposes you to malware. Get iOS updates as soon as they’re available to patch security vulnerabilities! Also, update your apps frequently. Be mindful of the permissions you grant different applications. Are the permissions an app is asking for really necessary? Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. Hackers can easily access your device over unsecured networks. Use a VPN to protect your privacy and your data. A VPN encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address. This protects your privacy. NordVPN is our top-rated VPN. It has advanced security features and nearly 6000 servers in 59 countries.
Check out our article on the best iPhone VPNs for alternatives to NordVPN. We also have an article on the best free VPNs for iPhones. Note: While most security experts do not recommend antivirus for iPhone users, we believe using an antivirus creates an additional layer of protection to safeguard you from ever-evolving threats.
Android safety tips
Here are some useful safety tips for Android devices.
Stick to apps from the Google Play Store. These are less likely to contain malware compared to apps from random sites. Get Android updates as soon as these are available. Updates are essential to address security vulnerabilities. Also, update your apps regularly. Avoid rooting (the Android equivalent of jailbreaking) your device, as it makes your smartphone more vulnerable to certain types of malware. Be wary of permission requests from applications. Does an app really need access to your camera, contacts, and location to function properly? Get a good antivirus solution. While most Play Store apps are safe, there are some bad apples. Using an antivirus protects you from them. Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks as much as possible. Use a VPN to stay anonymous and safe online. We recommend NordVPN. Our article on the best Android VPN contains some other excellent options. And, if you’re looking to skimp a few bucks, we have a guide to the best free VPNs for Android.
Conclusion: Android vs. iPhone Security
So, are iPhones more secure than Android devices? Yes, they are. But, by practicing good cyber hygiene and following the guidelines above, Android users can also enhance the security of their devices. While they may be less susceptible to malware, iPhones are not immune to the threats Android users face. Are you interested in learning more about how to secure your smartphone? Here are some insightful articles to get you started.
The Ultimate Android Malware Removal Guide What is Adware? What is Spyware? What is Ransomware? What is Phishing? The Five Best Cybersecurity Tools to Protect Yourself How to Create a Secure Password: The Ultimate Guide
Check out our iPhone vs. Android security comparison for more information.
