Which Cell Phone Is Most Secure in 2024? iPhone vs. Android Security

While both iPhone and Android systems work hard to upkeep rigorous security standards, iPhones are slightly more secure because of their closed-source coding and greater control over their products. This makes iPhones less flexible, yes, but also makes it harder for bad actors to get into the system.

On the other hand, Android's open-source code makes it easier and quicker to fix potential issues when they come up.

Both systems have strengths and weaknesses, so which phone is the most secure? After all, most of us store all kinds of information on our phones — photos, bank accounts, and even passwords.

Keep reading to learn which device might be best for you, as well as how to enhance your phone's security with the best antivirus apps.

Which has better source code security?

Both systems have different techniques for addressing source code security. Android and iPhone use restrictions in opposite ways to keep users safe from viruses and data breaches.

	iPhone security	Android security
Feature	Closed-source code	Open-source code
Pros	Harder for bad actors to penetrate the system	Easier to find and fix issues
Cons	Potentially slower to find and fix issues	Easier for malicious apps and files to be created and added to devices

iPhone code

Apple uses a platform that protects you with secure code execution. It uses an integrated development environment (IDE) to provide you with code signing for your apps. When you use an iPhone, it may be harder for hackers to break into your device due to the closed-source code installed.

Apple won’t release its source code to app developers, which means you can’t modify the iPhone’s code easily. If you can’t manipulate the code, you don’t get a chance to change the security settings that are in place to protect your data. 

That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to break through the coding. You can still download a malicious link if you’re using something other than the App Store. Some iPhone users download apps sent through email or go to different websites to get them. Those aren’t guaranteed to be protected by Apple, which is why it's a good idea to still use antivirus software with your iPhone.

Android code

Android handles code source security exactly the opposite of how iOS does. Android relies on open-source code. That allows you to modify your phone’s operating system. 

When you don’t know what you’re doing, you could create security vulnerabilities for your Android phone. On the other hand, an open-source operating system can also help improve security since community members help test for security flaws.

If you decide to change your settings, be sure you have the best antivirus software for Android available to help keep your device secure.

Android does use an Application Sandbox that enforces security between apps and the Android operating system. That is part of the Linux user-based protection it uses to keep hackers from gaining entry to your data.

App Store and Google Play Store security

Both devices have ways to protect your apps, thereby securing your device. As with the source code, the ecosystems work differently. They both look for harmful behavior, and both have restrictions implemented in various forms.

Overall, Apple is more strict which can mean it's safer overall, but at the expense of more advanced features that Android users can enjoy.

	iPhone security	Android security
Feature	Apple App Store	Google Play Store
Pros	Vigorous pre-launch test of all apps and stricter access to settings	Play Protect regularly screens apps, even after they've been installed
Cons	Harder for apps to get on the app store and some apps have less features than the Android versions	More apps on the store means more potential for bad actors

Apple App Store

Apple admits to millions of fraudulent attempts against the App Store every year. In 2021, Apple blocked fraudulent transactions amounting to $1.5 billion.[1] 

But cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated and attempting to smuggle malicious software into the App Store. One of their techniques is to hide in the cloud among legitimate applications. Hackers are also using the public internet to find vulnerable systems to crack.

To prevent hackers from gaining your personal information, Apple ensures that apps come from known sources and don’t contain malware. Before it can get launched, the app is screened for malicious code. Apple also has system-level protections in place, keeping apps from accessing data from other apps without your permission.

Google Play Store

Google Play is the official app store of Google. It has safeguards in place to protect your Android phone from malware. One of the primary security functions of Google Play is you can only download known apps from the store. Google will scan for viruses before an app reaches users. 

One of the best built-in protection features Android uses is Google Play Protect. It uses algorithms that can adapt to new malware threats, and Play Protect gets updated routinely to shield you from new viruses. It also uses the Application Sandbox we mentioned to create more safety between apps. The feature keeps apps from interacting with each other, keeping your Android more secure.

Still, Google Play isn’t without flaws. Malware can find ways to breach the app store security and get onto your device. Since Android uses the open-source coding platform, you can manually change your security settings. That may leave you more vulnerable when downloading apps you may assume are safe.

The Google Play Store is also attractive to hackers because of the large number of apps it contains. If a hacker can get through, that can mean malware on a high volume of Android devices.

Operating system updates

You’ll get notifications from Android and iPhone services when updates are ready for your phone. You should install the updates, as they help patch security gaps for your device. 

Operating system updates can also improve your phone’s performance, so it's crucial to take advantage of those opportunities.

	iPhone security	Android security
Feature	Apple manufacters all iPhones	Androids have different manufacturers
Pros	All iPhones get the same updates	More competitive marketplace for Android phones
Cons	Closed-off Apple ecosystem	Not all manufacturers update their system as often as may be recommended

iPhone updates

When you use an iPhone, you’ll notice that iOS updates get scheduled frequently. That means Apple looks for and patches security issues routinely. With the constant updates Apple provides, you’ll get the latest features and bug fixes.

Apple users should receive updates for 4 to 5 years for their iPhones.

Android updates

Android provides users with updates, as Apple does. One striking difference is that while Apple manufactures all iPhones, Android phones have different manufactures that release updates at different frequencies. This leads to an Android fragmentation issue, where users don’t all have access to the same features even though their phones all share the Android operating system.

For example, Samsung phones tend to receive monthly updates, while Motorola phones usually see 100+ days until they get an update.

So while Samsung phones could be on top of security updates as much or better than Apple, that's not necessarily the case for all Androids on the market.

Tips for staying safe on mobile

No matter what cell phone you choose, there are some ways you can stay safer when using your mobile device. Remember, your phone contains a host of personal information, so you should keep it secure.

• Always download the latest operating system update. Those are there for your protection and may contain patches you need.
• If you get a text message from someone you don’t know, it’s likely a scam. Block the number and don’t respond.
• Don't download apps outside of the official app store.

• Regularly scan your phone with an antivirus.

• Implement a VPN for a safer internet experience, especially when using public Wi-Fi.

• Use password managers that will create strong combinations for logins.

If you want an all-in-one system for taking your phone's safety to the next level, Norton 360 can give you a top-rated antivirus, password manager, and VPN — all for one fee.

FAQs

Bottom line

We think both the iPhone and Android have done tremendous jobs with creating a secure platform. When it comes to the best security, though, we believe the iPhone wins this round because of iOS’s closed-source code. When it’s harder to download malicious apps, it creates more security for you, the user.

We also appreciate Apple’s continuity with the system updates. iPhone users don’t have the fragmentation that Android users deal with, so every iPhone user gets security patches all at once.

You can take mobile security into your hands by taking precautions to keep your data and device safe. Your cell phone preference is as unique as you are, so choose the one that suits your personality and needs. In the meantime, you can read more tips on how to stay safe online with any device, including using the best antivirus apps to shield your devices from malware.