What Google security service scans Android apps for harmful behavior?

What Google security service scans Android apps for harmful behavior? Google Play Protect is Google’s Android security service for checking apps and devices for potentially harmful behavior.

It scans apps from Google Play before installation and can also examine apps installed from outside the store. Play Protect periodically scans the device, warns users about potentially harmful applications, and may disable or remove them. It can also block certain suspicious installations and issue privacy alerts when an app’s behavior creates a security concern.

Google introduced Play Protect in 2017 by bringing several Android and Google Play safety measures under one name. The service is designed to work in the background, but users can review its status in the Google Play Store’s Play Protect section. Google recommends leaving its protections enabled.

Play Protect is not the same as Play Integrity API. Play Protect focuses on app and device safety for users, while Play Integrity helps developers assess whether app interactions come from trustworthy installations and environments. “Google Safe Browsing” is another related security technology, but it primarily addresses dangerous websites and links.