How to check a Samsung Galaxy for harmful apps with Play Protect

By Saadat Rafiq · 2 min read · 6 steps · Published 6 October 2026

Device

Android

Shown on

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Security and privacy › App security

Real screenshots

6 of 6 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open App security

   Open Settings, Security and privacy and tap App security. It lists both protections.

   Done

2. 

   Check Google Play Protect

   Under Google Play Protect, ours says Apps scanned: October 6, 2026, with a green tick. Tap it to open Play Protect.

   Done

3. 

   Read the result

   Play Protect shows the result of the last scan and when it ran. Ours: No harmful apps found, scanned at 13:05.

   Done

4. 

   Scan now

   Tap Scan to check all apps again. If it finds a harmful app it tells you what to do, usually uninstall it.

   Done

5. 

   Check that scanning is on

   The gear at the top right opens Play Protect settings, where Scan apps with Play Protect should be on.

   Done

6. 

   Turn on Samsung App protection

   Back on App security, App protection says Turn on App protection in orange on ours. Tap it to add Samsung's scanner as well.

   Done

About this guide

Google Play Protect checks the apps on your phone, including ones not from the Play Store, for harmful behaviour. A Galaxy also has Samsung's own App protection. We only looked at these screens on our phone and changed nothing.

The screenshots are from a Samsung Galaxy A57 5G with One UI 8.5 and Android 16. Other Galaxy phones on One UI 8 use the same menus; on older One UI versions a few names and positions differ.

Good to know

Pop-ups and ads appearing over other apps are often caused by an app: pop-up ads on a Samsung Galaxy.

In short: Settings, Security and privacy, App security, Google Play Protect: read the result, tap Scan. Turn on App protection too.