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

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-check-a-samsung-galaxy-for-harmful-apps-with-play-protect/ · Checked October 2026 · Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16

6 of 6 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

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

What we did

Observed: looked at each screen, changed nothing

Our phone

Shown on Galaxy A57, One UI 8.5

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.

   Watch these steps Done

2. 

   Check Google Play Protect

   Under Google Play Protect, ours says Apps scanned: October 7, 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. The page says you'll be notified of any security risks found.

   Done

5. 

   Check that scanning is on

   Tap the gear at the top right to open Play Protect settings.

   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

Watch these steps

If you do not see this option

• There is no App security page Google gives a route through the Play Store: open Google Play, tap your profile icon at the top right, then Play Protect. Source: Use Google Play Protect to help keep your apps safe & your data private
• Play Protect is not offered at all Google says to check that the phone is Play Protect certified: Play Store, profile icon, Settings, About. Source: Use Google Play Protect to help keep your apps safe & your data private

If this does not work

• Scanning is switched off Google says Play Protect is on by default but can be turned off. Turn it back on: Play Store, profile icon, Play Protect, Settings, Scan apps with Play Protect. Source: Use Google Play Protect to help keep your apps safe & your data private
• An app is flagged as harmful Google says Play Protect warns you about it and may turn the app off or remove it. Uninstall it if Play Protect has not already. Source: Use Google Play Protect to help keep your apps safe & your data private

About this guide

Google Play Protect checks the apps on your phone for harmful behaviour. A Galaxy also has Samsung's own App protection.

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.

📷 See real photos from the Galaxy A57 in our Camera Lab, next to 10 other phones.