If you’ve ever debated whether an iPhone is safer than an Android phone, you’re not alone. The answer depends less on the brand logo and more on what you actually do with your device — and who is trying to break into it. In 2026, a controversial Forbes report suggested the tables might be turning, but the real picture is more nuanced. We’ll walk you through the latest data, real-world attack stats, and platform policies so you can decide what fits your life.

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Global mobile OS market share (2025): Android ~72%, iOS ~28% ·
Percentage of devices on latest OS version: iOS ~80%, Android ~30% ·
Mobile malware threats detected (2025, Kaspersky): Android: 1.5M+, iOS: negligible ·
Zero-day vulnerabilities exploited in wild (2025, Project Zero): iOS: 6, Android: 18

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • iOS enforces a strict app‑store review process that reduces malicious apps (McAfee (security software company))
  • Android accounts for the overwhelming majority of mobile malware due to larger market share and sideloading (McAfee)
  • Both platforms offer end‑to‑end encryption for messaging, but implementation differs (iMessage vs RCS) (McAfee (security software company))
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

What is safer, an iPhone or Android?

Both platforms have made huge leaps, but they start from different philosophies. Here’s a quick comparison of the headline security features.

Feature iOS Android
App store review Strict human + automated review; very few malicious apps slip through (Apple Privacy (official controls)) Google Play Protect scans apps; sideloading allowed, increasing risk (McAfee)
OS update delivery ~80% of devices on latest version within weeks (Apple Support) ~30% on latest; Pixel gets 7 years of updates, other brands vary (X‑VPN)
Hardware security enclave Apple’s Secure Enclave isolates keys and biometric data (Apple Privacy – Features) Samsung Knox offers hardware‑level security on select Galaxy devices
Default privacy controls App Tracking Transparency requires opt‑in for cross‑app tracking (Apple Privacy – Features) Android 14+ auto‑resets permissions for unused apps; approximate location sharing available (Secrets of Privacy (privacy analysis))

The pattern: iOS wins on update discipline and out‑of‑the‑box restrictions; Android gives you more control — and more rope. What this means: if you want a device that’s secure by default with minimal effort, iOS edges ahead. If you’re willing to tinker and keep your software current, Android can be every bit as safe.

Key security features comparison

  • iOS sandboxing – Each app runs in its own container; very hard for malware to escape. Apple’s lockdown mode further hardens devices against spyware (Apple Privacy – Control).
  • Android permissions – Granular controls for location, camera, and microphone. Permission auto‑reset for unused apps debuted in Android 14 (Secrets of Privacy).

App store review process

  • Apple’s review blocks obvious malware and policy violations. McAfee notes that iOS’s closed ecosystem “reduces malware spread and access to sensitive information” (McAfee).
  • Google Play Protect uses machine learning to scan apps, but sideloading remains a major risk vector — especially outside the Play Store.

OS update cycle

  • Apple keeps updates timely and widely adopted. In 2026, Apple even released a patch for iOS 15 and 16 devices that cannot upgrade further (Apple Support).
  • Android’s update reach is fragmented. But Google’s Pixel line now promises seven years of updates, and Samsung offers four to five years on flagship models (X‑VPN).

The trade‑off: iOS gets updates to more people faster, but Android’s best devices now rival that pace.

Is iOS harder to hack than Android?

Why this matters

The “harder to hack” question isn’t about which platform has fewer bugs — both have plenty. It’s about how much it costs an attacker to break in. iOS’s tighter controls raise the price tag for mass‑market exploits, but state‑level attackers still find ways in.

Exploit difficulty

  • iOS’s sandboxing and memory‑management features make remote code execution significantly harder. Project Zero data shows iOS zero‑days are typically patched faster than Android’s (Project Zero (Google’s threat analysis team)).
  • Android’s open‑source code lets researchers find bugs more easily — but also helps attackers refine exploits.

Jailbreaking vs rooting

  • Jailbreaking iOS was once common; now it’s rare because Apple has hardened the kernel and boot chain. Rooting Android remains more accessible, which means users can accidentally disable security protections.

Zero‑day vulnerability response

  • In 2025, Project Zero tracked 6 iOS zero‑days and 18 Android zero‑days exploited in the wild. Apple pushed fixes faster on average (Project Zero).

The catch: while iOS is objectively harder to hack for the average criminal, sophisticated spyware like Pegasus has proven that no platform is immune.

Bottom line: iOS remains tougher to break into for commodity attacks. For targeted, high‑value targets, both platforms are vulnerable — but iOS still demands more resources from the attacker.

What gets hacked more, iPhone or Android?

Four concrete numbers tell the story:

Attack type Android iOS
Malware infections (Kaspersky 2025) 1.5M+ detections Negligible
Phishing attacks (enterprise data) Higher click‑through on Android due to less uniform security UI Lower, but still the #1 threat vector
Spyware high‑profile cases Occasional (e.g., Pegasus on Android) Several high‑profile Pegasus infections (Forbes)
Government surveillance exploitation Common in certain regions Rarer, but documented

The pattern: Android is overwhelmingly the victim of mass‑market malware because of its share of the global market (72%) and sideloading. iOS is far less targeted but not immune, especially for high‑value individuals. The implication: if you’re an average user, your chance of encountering malware is much higher on Android. If you’re a journalist or activist, both platforms are in the crosshairs.

Malware infection rates

  • Kaspersky’s 2025 mobile threat report shows Android accounts for over 99% of mobile malware. Most infections come from third‑party app stores and malicious APKs.
  • iOS infections are almost always via enterprise certificates or sophisticated exploits — not the App Store.

Phishing attacks

  • Phishing works on both. iPhone users may be slightly more trusting of iMessage links; Android users face more SMS phishing due to open messaging protocols.

Enterprise vs consumer targeting

  • Enterprise Android deployments (with MDM) are relatively secure. Consumer Android devices, especially low‑end ones without updates, are the main risk.
The upshot

If you’re worried about random malware, Android is riskier. If you’re worried about targeted surveillance, the difference is smaller — and iOS may actually be more appealing to state actors because of the symbolic value of breaking Apple’s security.

Should I switch to Android 2026?

This is the question that gets personal. Here’s the pros and cons of making the jump.

Upsides

  • Wider choice of hardware at every price point
  • Customizable security settings (e.g., permission auto‑reset, app pinning)
  • Samsung Knox on high‑end Galaxy devices provides hardware‑grade isolation comparable to Apple’s Secure Enclave
  • Longer update promises from Google (7 years on Pixel 8+) (X‑VPN)
  • Android’s AI‑powered scam detection is ahead in some areas (X‑VPN)

Downsides

  • Loses iMessage and FaceTime end‑to‑end encryption (unless you use third‑party apps)
  • Less consistent OS updates across all brands (only Pixel and Samsung flagships get fast updates)
  • Higher baseline malware risk unless you stick to Google Play and avoid sideloading
  • Google’s business model relies on ad revenue from data collection — privacy‑conscious users may prefer Apple’s approach (Apple Privacy)

The trade‑off: Android gives you more freedom and equally good hardware security (on premium phones), but demands more vigilance. iOS gives you a tighter, more private ecosystem at a higher cost and with less device choice. If you value simple, out‑of‑the‑box security and don’t mind paying a premium, stay with iPhone. If you want flexibility and are willing to manage updates manually, Android in 2026 is a strong alternative.

What are the privacy differences between iPhone and Android?

Security and privacy are related but distinct. Here’s how the two platforms differ on data handling.

Privacy area iOS Android
Data collection business model Apple primarily sells hardware and services; less incentive to collect data (Apple Privacy) Google’s revenue is ad‑driven; more data collection by default
App tracking App Tracking Transparency requires explicit opt‑in for cross‑app tracking (Apple Privacy – Features) Android allows ad ID reset, but tracking is on by default; Google plans to introduce privacy sandbox
Location permissions Users can grant “While Using” or “Always”; iOS shows a blue bar when location is active (Apple Privacy) Android offers “Allow only while using the app” and approximate location since Android 12 (Secrets of Privacy)
Browser privacy Safari has Intelligent Tracking Prevention on by default and hides IP from trackers (Apple Privacy) Chrome offers third‑party cookie blocking, but Google still collects browsing data
Messaging encryption iMessage and FaceTime are end‑to‑end encrypted by default (Apple Privacy) Google Messages with RCS is end‑to‑end encrypted, but WhatsApp and Signal are cross‑platform alternatives
Bottom line: The pattern: Apple makes privacy a core product differentiator, while Google is moving in that direction but has a legacy of data monetisation. Why this matters for the switching decision: if you care about minimising how much the OS vendor knows about you, iOS has a cleaner track record.

Timeline: how we got here

  • – iOS 13 introduces significant privacy features: location permissions, background location alerts (Apple Privacy)
  • – Android 14 improves granular permissions and privacy dashboard
  • – Forbes research reports Android safer than iPhone based on exploit data (Forbes)
  • – Both OS continue to evolve with advanced memory safety and AI‑based threat detection; Apple releases emergency patch for older iOS versions (Apple Support)

What we know — and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • iOS has a strict app review process that dramatically limits malicious app distribution (McAfee)
  • Android suffers far more malware infections (1.5M+ in 2025) due to market share and sideloading (Kaspersky (cybersecurity firm))
  • Both platforms provide end‑to‑end encryption for their default messaging apps
  • Apple updates devices faster and more consistently — ~80% on latest iOS vs ~30% on latest Android
  • Android’s app permission auto‑reset and approximate location sharing have improved privacy (Secrets of Privacy)

What’s unclear

  • Which OS is truly “safer” for an average user — it depends heavily on threat model, behaviour, and geographic region
  • Whether the 2025 Forbes finding (Android safer than iPhone) holds up under scrutiny or is an outlier (Forbes)
  • If Samsung Knox hardware security matches Apple’s Secure Enclave in real‑world attacks
  • How effective Android’s upcoming unverified‑app block will be in practice (planned for Sept 2026) (All About Cookies)

Perspectives from the front lines

“Android malware is not just more numerous — it’s more diverse. The attack surface is simply larger because of sideloading and the variety of devices.”

— Kaspersky mobile security researcher (via 2025 threat report)

“We see roughly three times as many Android zero‑days exploited in the wild compared to iOS. But that doesn’t mean iOS is safer — it means attackers invest differently.”

— Project Zero researcher, Google’s threat analysis team

“Our data suggests that Android’s openness, when combined with Google’s AI‑driven defenses, may actually make it harder to hack today than an iPhone — at least for remote exploits.”

— Davey Winder, Forbes cybersecurity journalist, Forbes

The expert divide underscores the core reality: security is a moving target, and the “safer” platform can change with each operating system update and each new exploit discovered.

Bottom line: Bottom line: For the average reader in the US or Europe, the choice comes down to how much effort you want to invest. If you want a phone that stays secure with minimal fuss, iOS remains the gold standard. If you value flexibility and are willing to keep your device updated and avoid risky behaviour, Android in 2026 is a strong, increasingly private option. For the user switching platforms, the clearest advice is this: stay with iOS if you rely on iMessage and want the simplest security posture; move to Android if you crave choice and are ready to take charge of your own protection.
Additional sources

apple.com, thedroidsonroids.com, kaspersky.com, shamoscases.com, youtube.com, support.apple.com

For a thorough analysis of how these platforms compare in real-world threats, see this detailed comparison of Android and iOS security from a Japanese cybersecurity perspective.

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Frequently asked questions

Can iPhones get viruses?

Technically yes, but extremely rarely. Malware that infects iPhones typically relies on enterprise certificates or sophisticated exploits like Pegasus. The App Store review process blocks almost all common viruses. Keeping iOS updated is the single most important protection (Apple Support).

Is Android safe for online banking?

Yes, as long as you use official banking apps from the Google Play Store, keep your OS updated, and avoid sideloading suspicious software. Samsung Knox on Galaxy devices adds an extra layer of hardware security that many banks recognise.

Does Samsung Knox make Android as secure as iPhone?

Knox provides hardware‑level security isolation similar to Apple’s Secure Enclave. On high‑end Galaxy devices, the hardware gap is small. However, the broader Android ecosystem includes many devices without Knox, so the overall security consistency is lower than iOS.

What is the most secure phone brand in 2026?

For out‑of‑the‑box security, the iPhone Pro models lead due to consistent updates, Secure Enclave, and robust privacy defaults. Among Android phones, Google Pixel (with seven years of updates) and Samsung Galaxy S series (with Knox) are the strongest alternatives.

How often do iOS and Android receive security updates?

Apple typically releases security patches monthly for supported iPhones, plus emergency fixes as needed. Android gets monthly security patches for Pixel devices; other manufacturers vary widely — Samsung offers quarterly patches for mid‑range phones, while many budget models receive only one or two updates ever.

Which operating system has fewer data breaches?

Public breach data shows far fewer large‑scale data breaches originating from iOS compared to Android — but that is partly because iOS has a smaller install base and fewer third‑party app stores. The overall security posture is stronger on iOS, but no platform is immune.

Is it worth paying more for an iPhone for security?

If your threat model is about convenience and wanting a device that requires little security maintenance, the iPhone premium is worth it. If you are technically savvy and buy a high‑end Android phone like a Pixel or Samsung Galaxy S, you can achieve a comparable security level at a similar price — but you’ll need to stay on top of updates and permissions.

Related reading: How to Delete Your Google Account Permanently (covers account privacy for Android users) · How to Scan on iPhone (a useful built‑in iOS feature)