Android vs iOS security: which OS is safer? We compare their protections against theft, malware, snooping, and more
Publish Date: 2026-06-04 06:58:00
Source Domain: www.techradar.com
Android and iOS each have their own security features, and while there’s a lot of overlap between the two software packages, they also have some significant differences in their available tools.
So, if you’re hoping to keep your phone safe from threats both online and in person, the approach you’re able to take may differ, depending on whether you own one of the best iPhones or best Android phones.
Below, then, we’ve looked at the key security features offered on each operating system, designed to protect you across a range of scenarios.
Latest Videos From
How they secure your device against online threats
(Image credit: Apple)
The most common threats most of us face on our phones are of the online variety — things like viruses and other malware. Fortunately, both Android and iOS have tools to limit these risks — if you use them.
For one thing, it’s worth setting up two-factor authentication on the account you use to log in to your device, be that an Apple account or a Google one, as this makes it much harder for hackers to access or take control of your account. In fact, you should use two-factor authentication anywhere it’s offered, but especially for these accounts.
You may like
It’s also worth using a password manager, so you can more easily create and keep track of complex, unique passwords, and both iOS and Android have password managers built in. That said, third-party options are sometimes more feature-filled.
A VPN is worth considering too, to secure your internet traffic. However, while Google Pixel phones have a built-in VPN, most Android handsets don’t, and neither do iPhones — though if you have iCloud+, you can access Private Relay, which has some of the same protections, and both operating systems let you download third-party VPNs (here’s our roundup of the best VPNs, if you’re interested in getting one).
If you have…
