Google warning on downloaded apps you should never ignore

24 September 2023 , 11:38

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There's an important Google feature that can protect your phone (Image: Anadolu Agency)

A simple Google safety check can protect your phone from shady apps that secretly charge you or steal your personal information. Google Play Protect is designed to scan for dodgy programs lurking unseen on your Android device.

If you use an Android phone the feature should automatically be on - but it is worth checking you haven't deactivated it by accident. The vital feature is designed to scan apps and warn you if you should take action.

Google Play Protect checks your device for harmful behaviour by running a safety check on apps from its own store before you download them. It also scans your device for harmful apps from other sources, sometimes called malware.

If the security feature finds a potentially harmful app it might send you a notification, disable the app until you uninstall it or remove the app automatically. The company recommends you always keep Google Play Protect on.

Turning on Google Play Protect

First step is to open Google Play. Take at look at the top right and tap the profile icon. You should see Play protect and Setting. Turn the Scan app on.

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To avoid suspicious apps in the first place allow Google Play Protect to automatically send unknown apps to Google. This works if you install apps from unknown sources outside of the Google Play Store.

Just turn on the 'Improve harmful app detection' setting to allow Google Play Protect to get the information automatically.

Little-known Google warning on downloaded apps you should never ignore (Android)

Google says: "Use Google Play Protect to keep your apps safe and your data private. Google Play Protect checks your apps and devices for harmful behaviour."

The company will also send useful warnings. "It will alert you if an app is removed from the Google Play Store because the app may access your personal information and you’ll have an option to uninstall the app."

Paul Greaves