How to Disable Google Play Protect and What Risks It Carries

In 2025, Google Play Protect blocked 266 million attempts to install risky apps via sideloading, demonstrating its role as a key security layer on Android devices. This built-in feature also detected over 27 million new malicious apps last year, warning users or preventing harmful software from running.

Introduced in 2017, Play Protect safeguards Android users by scanning apps from the Play Store and those obtained elsewhere, identifying malware and potentially harmful programs. It alerts users about apps accessing personal data and flags deceptive applications that conceal their true purpose or piggyback on other installations.

Users who sideload apps receive notifications if files might be malicious, and Play Protect can block or remove such apps automatically. Despite these protections, some users prefer to disable Play Protect to gain unrestricted control over app installations.

Disabling Play Protect removes these security measures, increasing the likelihood of malware infections and exposure to apps that could compromise sensitive information, especially if no third-party antivirus is installed.

To turn off Play Protect, open the Google Play Store on your Android device and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Scroll to and select the Play Protect option, where you can view the last scan date. Then tap the Settings gear icon and toggle off "Scan apps with Play Protect."

Within the same settings, users can also enable or disable "Improve harmful app detection," which sends apps downloaded outside the Play Store to Google for malware inspection.

However, some users may be unable to disable Play Protect if their Google account is managed by an organization such as a school or workplace, where administrators restrict changes to security settings. Additionally, those enrolled in Google's Advanced Protection Program—a security tier for high-risk users like journalists and activists—cannot disable Play Protect without first unenrolling.

To leave the Advanced Protection Program, log into your Google account via a browser, navigate to the Security & sign-in menu, locate the "Advanced Protection Program," and select "Unenroll." Afterward, a device restart and waiting period may be necessary before Play Protect can be disabled.

Reports indicate that Google may still remove sideloaded apps it considers risky even when Play Protect is turned off, underscoring the feature's persistent role in device security.