Android vs iOS: New Study Finds Android Is Actually Safer Against Scams
For years, smartphone users have debated which platform is safer, Android or iOS. Most people instinctively choose Apple’s iOS, often citing the company’s so-called “walled garden” security approach. Apple itself frequently uses this argument whenever regulators, such as the EU, push it to open up more of its ecosystem.
However, a new report suggests that things may not be as clear-cut as they seem. In at least one critical area, protection against scams, Android is actually safer than iOS.
iOS Users Report More Scam Texts Than Android Users
According to a YouGov study conducted across the U.S., India, and Brazil, iOS users are 65% more likely than Android users to say they receive three or more scam texts per week. On the other hand, Android users are 58% more likely than iOS users to report that they didn’t receive any scam texts in the week before the survey.
In addition, Android users were 20% more likely than iOS users to describe their device’s scam protection features as “very effective” or “extremely effective.”
While the survey covered 5,000 smartphone users, it’s worth noting that Google collaborated with YouGov on this research, but the findings still paint an interesting picture of mobile security perceptions.
Pixel Phones Lead in Scam Protection
The study also compared Google Pixel devices with iPhones, and the difference was even more striking. Pixel owners were 96% more likely than iPhone users to report zero scam texts. Meanwhile, iPhone users were 136% more likely than Pixel owners to say they’d received a high volume of scam messages, and 150% more likely to rate their device’s scam protection as “not effective at all.”
Android Outperforms iPhone in Built-In Scam and Fraud Protection
In another evaluation comparing built-in security features across four flagship phones, the Pixel 10 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, and Motorola Razr+ 2025, the iPhone ranked last for the number of native security and scam protection features.
The report highlighted Android’s robust call screening, real-time scam detection, and on-device AI authentication as major strengths.
How Android Protects Users From Scams
Android’s Google Messages app automatically filters known spam messages. For more sophisticated threats, Scam Detection uses on-device AI to analyze incoming texts from unknown senders, identifying suspicious patterns in real time. If a message looks risky, Android blocks dangerous links and warns the user instantly.
Meanwhile, the Phone by Google app helps stop spam calls before they reach users. Its Call Screen feature (available in select markets) can answer calls automatically, identify fraudsters, and warn users of suspicious activity.
Even during calls, Android’s AI-powered Scam Detection monitors for social engineering attempts, blocking high-risk actions such as installing untrusted apps or changing key security settings mid-call.
While Apple’s iOS has long been seen as the gold standard for mobile security, new evidence shows that Android, especially Google Pixel devices, may offer stronger real-world protection against scams. With its AI-driven scam detection, call screening, and real-time fraud prevention tools, Android now leads the way in keeping users safe from the growing threat of mobile scams.
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