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Best antivirus for iPhone — and what iOS security apps can actually do

An iPhone can't run antivirus the way a PC does. iOS keeps every app in its own sandbox, so a security app can't look inside your other apps to scan them, and Apple says every App Store app and update is reviewed, including automated scans for known malware. So the best antivirus for iPhone is really the best set of extras: filters for scam texts and calls, warnings about phishing sites, a VPN for public Wi-Fi, and alerts when your accounts turn up in a data breach.

PrivacyTechReview Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief: Kirill Prosandeev Reviewed Oct 31, 2026 12 min read
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A smartphone lying on a dark desk at night, its screen split into sealed glowing tiles, with a glass shield in front of it scattering red threat particles and message-bubble shapes

This guide compares the iPhone apps from the five antivirus brands we review that make one with security features: Norton, McAfee, Avast, TotalAV and Avira. We go by what each App Store listing and vendor page says the iOS app does, checked on October 31, 2026, and we don't publish prices or scores. VirtualShield's iPhone app is a VPN with identity monitoring and data-broker removal; it lists no scam-text, call or web filters, so it isn't ranked here.

Not sure you need anything at all? Start with our guide, Do iPhones need antivirus? On Android instead, see Best antivirus for Android: Google's rules let security apps do more there.

Do you need antivirus on iPhone? What iOS already does

Apple designs iOS so apps can't get at each other's data. Every third-party app runs in a sandbox that, in Apple's words, is "designed to prevent apps from gathering or modifying information stored by other apps." That's why no iPhone app can scan your other apps for viruses the way antivirus does on Windows or Android. TotalAV's help center puts it plainly: its iOS app does not run an antivirus.

Apps also reach you through a reviewed channel. Apple says it reviews every App Store app and update for privacy, security and safety, with automated scans for known malware, and a baseline notarization review applies to all iOS apps, including those distributed outside the App Store, which is allowed in the EU, Japan and Brazil.

Several scam filters are built in. Safari's Fraudulent Website Warning (Settings > Apps > Safari) warns you when you visit a fraudulent website. In the current iOS, Messages can screen texts from unknown senders and filter spam, and the Phone app's Call Screening can ask an unknown caller for their name and reason for calling before your iPhone rings. The Passwords app flags saved passwords that have appeared in known data leaks.

Updates matter more than any app. Check for them in Settings > General > Software Update and turn on Automatic Updates; Background Security Improvements, in Settings > Privacy & Security, add protection between software updates. Stolen Device Protection requires Face ID or Touch ID for critical changes, with no passcode fallback, and Lockdown Mode is an optional, extreme protection for people who may be targeted by sophisticated attacks such as mercenary spyware.

So for many iPhone owners the honest answer is no: keep iOS updated, leave Safari's warning on and use the built-in filters. A security app earns its place in the gaps: scam texts and calls that get past Apple's filters, risky links opened outside Safari, public Wi-Fi you'd rather route through a VPN, breach alerts that go beyond your saved passwords, and one subscription that also covers the household's computers and Android phones.

What an iPhone security app should add

  1. 1

    Check what iOS already covers

    Update to the latest iOS, turn on Automatic Updates and Background Security Improvements, and make sure Safari's Fraudulent Website Warning and the unknown-sender and unknown-caller screening in Messages and Phone are on. If that covers how you use your iPhone, you may not need more.

  2. 2

    Name the gap you're filling

    Scam texts that still get through call for a text filter, risky links opened outside Safari for web protection, public Wi-Fi for a VPN, and worries about leaked accounts for breach or identity monitoring. Pick an app that lists that feature for iPhone.

  3. 3

    Try the free version first

    Avast, McAfee, TotalAV and Avira have free versions with very different scopes. Install from the vendor's own App Store listing, see what the free app does, and pay only for a feature you'd miss.

Our iPhone picks

5 compared

Built in

Built-in iPhone protection (iOS)

Already on every iPhone

Every iPhone keeps apps in separate sandboxes and gets them through Apple's review. Safari warns you when you visit a fraudulent website, Messages and the Phone app can screen unknown senders and callers, and the Passwords app flags passwords found in known data leaks. Security fixes arrive through iOS updates and Background Security Improvements, and Stolen Device Protection requires Face ID or Touch ID for critical changes.

Keep iOS updated and these protections on, whatever app you add.

  • +App sandboxing and App Store review
  • +Fraudulent-website warnings in Safari; unknown-sender and caller screening
  • −Safari's fraudulent-website warning works in Safari
  • −Leak alerts cover passwords saved in the Passwords app

iOS

Editors' choice
1

Norton (Gen Digital)

Best overall for scam texts, calls and risky Wi-Fi

Our take: Norton's iPhone app (Norton 360 Security & VPN on the App Store) is the only app here whose listing names scam-text, scam-call, web and email protection plus a check for an outdated iOS or a missing passcode: Safe SMS, Safe Call, Safe Web, Safe Email and Device Security, with Wi-Fi Security and Norton Genie for questions about suspicious messages. Safe Call and Safe Email are listed under Scam Protection Pro, and the listing says feature availability varies by plan. Norton's iOS page says Mobile Security has no VPN: the VPN comes with Mobile Security + VPN or Norton 360 for Mobile, which also adds Dark Web Monitoring. Norton 360 Deluxe and the Norton 360 with LifeLock plans include Mobile Security.

Strengths

  • Safe SMS and Safe Web against scam texts and sites; Safe Call with Scam Protection Pro
  • Device Security flags an outdated iOS or a missing passcode
  • Wi-Fi Security; a VPN with Mobile Security + VPN or Norton 360 for Mobile

Worth knowing

  • No free version: the 7-day trial starts an annual subscription
  • VPN needs Mobile Security + VPN or Norton 360 for Mobile; Dark Web Monitoring needs Norton 360 for Mobile
  • Needs iOS 17 or later, per its App Store listing
Platforms: iOSAndroidWindowsmacOS

Bottom line: Pick Norton if scam texts and calls are your main worry — and choose Mobile Security + VPN or Norton 360 for Mobile if you also want the VPN.

Read full Norton review

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2

McAfee

Best for scam alerts and identity monitoring across the family

Our take: McAfee's app (McAfee: Stay Secure & Private) is built around Scam Detector, which checks texts, sites and emails. Its listing adds Secure VPN, Safe Browsing, a Wi-Fi scan, a System Scan and identity monitoring; McAfee's mobile page says the System Scan checks for the latest iOS updates. McAfee's own page says its antivirus is for Android only. The free tier covers one device with the Wi-Fi, identity and system scans; the plans on McAfee's site all include Secure VPN and Scam Detector, and the McAfee+ plans cover unlimited devices.

Strengths

  • Scam Detector in every plan on McAfee's plans page
  • Secure VPN and identity monitoring in every plan on its plans page
  • Free tier with Wi-Fi, identity and system scans

Worth knowing

  • No call blocking listed for iPhone
  • Free tier covers one device, without the VPN or Scam Detector
  • Needs iOS 17 or later, per its App Store listing
Platforms: iOSAndroidWindowsmacOS

Bottom line: Pick McAfee if you want scam alerts, a VPN and identity monitoring on everyone's phones under one plan.

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3

Avast (Gen Digital)

Best free app with web protection

Our take: Avast One for iPhone (Avast One: Security & Privacy) is the only app here with free web protection: Web Guard against scam and phishing sites, plus Wi-Fi checks, Hack Alerts for leaked passwords and protection for private photos, according to Avast's iOS page. Paying adds Scam Guardian Pro, with Safe SMS, Call Guard and Email Guard, plus SecureLine VPN and monitoring for five email addresses. Avast's own FAQ says third-party antivirus isn't possible on iOS, so treat it as a scam and privacy toolkit.

Strengths

  • Web Guard, Wi-Fi checks and Hack Alerts in the free app
  • Paid Scam Guardian Pro blocks scam texts and calls
  • SecureLine VPN in the paid app

Worth knowing

  • Text and call blocking and the VPN are paid
  • Needs iOS 17 or later, per its App Store listing
Platforms: iOSAndroidWindowsmacOS

Bottom line: Pick Avast if you want free web protection on your iPhone and might pay later for scam-text and call blocking.

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4

TotalAV (Protected.net)

Free settings check; paid web and scam-text filters

Our take: TotalAV is upfront that its iPhone app doesn't run an antivirus. Its free version runs Smart Scan, which alerts you to pending iOS security updates and checks that your passcode and Face ID or Touch ID are on, plus a data breach check, photo and contact clean-up and Event Check for rogue calendar entries. Premium adds WebShield, which TotalAV's help center describes as a Safari extension, a QR Code Check, spam text protection through the iPhone's message filtering, and the VPN, which TotalAV includes with Internet Security and Total Security and also sells as an add-on to its entry plan.

Strengths

  • Free Smart Scan for iOS updates, passcode and Face ID or Touch ID
  • WebShield, QR Code Check and spam text protection in premium
  • Runs on iOS 13 and later

Worth knowing

  • No antivirus scanning on iOS, by TotalAV's own account
  • VPN comes with Internet Security or Total Security, or as a separate add-on
  • No call blocking listed
Platforms: iOSAndroidWindowsmacOS

Bottom line: Pick TotalAV if you already have a TotalAV plan for your computer and want its web and scam-text filters on your iPhone too.

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5

Avira (Gen Digital)

Small free VPN allowance and a call blocklist

Our take: Avira Mobile Security lists a VPN, Web Protection, breach checks through Identity Safeguard and a Call Blocker for numbers you blacklist. Avira's iOS page says the free VPN is capped at 100 MB a day and that Pro adds Web Protection for Safari and a breach monitor. The app's version history says its network scanner was discontinued in version 6.13.0, though Avira's site still lists it.

Strengths

  • VPN free up to 100 MB a day
  • Call Blocker for numbers you blacklist
  • Runs on iOS 13 and later

Worth knowing

  • Web Protection for Safari is a Pro feature
  • Network scanner discontinued in version 6.13.0
Platforms: iOSAndroidWindowsmacOS

Bottom line: Pick Avira if you want a small free VPN allowance and a blocklist for unwanted callers, and would pay only for web protection in Safari.

Read full Avira review

iPhone apps at a glance

What each app's App Store listing and vendor page say it does on iPhone — not a spec sheet.

Norton

iPhone app on the App Store
Norton 360 Security & VPN
Free version
None (7-day trial)
Scam texts
Safe SMS
Scam calls
Safe Call (Scam Protection Pro)
Web protection
Safe Web
Wi-Fi checks
Wi-Fi Security
VPN
Mobile Security + VPN or Norton 360 for Mobile
iOS update check
Device Security
Oldest iOS supported
iOS 17
Skip it if
You want a free app

McAfee

iPhone app on the App Store
McAfee: Stay Secure & Private
Free version
One device: Wi-Fi, identity and system scans
Scam texts
Scam Detector (paid)
Scam calls
Not listed
Web protection
Safe Browsing (paid)
Wi-Fi checks
Wi-Fi Scan (free)
VPN
Every plan on McAfee's site
iOS update check
System Scan
Oldest iOS supported
iOS 17
Skip it if
You want call blocking

Avast

iPhone app on the App Store
Avast One: Security & Privacy
Free version
Web Guard, Wi-Fi checks, Hack Alerts
Scam texts
Safe SMS (paid)
Scam calls
Call Guard (paid)
Web protection
Web Guard (free)
Wi-Fi checks
Wi-Fi checks (free)
VPN
Paid upgrade
iOS update check
Not listed
Oldest iOS supported
iOS 17
Skip it if
You want scam-text filtering free

TotalAV

iPhone app on the App Store
TotalAV
Free version
Smart Scan, breach check, clean-up
Scam texts
Spam text protection (premium)
Scam calls
Not listed
Web protection
WebShield (premium)
Wi-Fi checks
Not listed
VPN
Internet Security and Total Security, or an add-on
iOS update check
Smart Scan
Oldest iOS supported
iOS 13
Skip it if
You expect free web protection

Avira

iPhone app on the App Store
Avira Mobile Security
Free version
VPN capped at 100 MB a day
Scam texts
Blocklist only (Call Blocker)
Scam calls
Call Blocker (your own blocklist)
Web protection
Web Protection (Pro)
Wi-Fi checks
VPN flags untrusted Wi-Fi; network scanner discontinued
VPN
100 MB a day free
iOS update check
iOS Updater (Avira's site)
Oldest iOS supported
iOS 13
Skip it if
You need web protection free

On price: paid plans run first-term promotions that rise at renewal and vary by region. Check what the free version includes before you upgrade.

Norton

Best all-in-one bundle

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McAfee

Best for families & many devices

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Avast

Best familiar all-rounder

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TotalAV

Best simple, all-in-one setup

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Avira

Most complete free tier

Free vs paid security apps on iPhone

Free iPhone security apps range from web protection with Wi-Fi checks to a single scan of your iOS settings. The list below sets out what each vendor or its App Store listing says the free version covers.

  • Avast: Web Guard against scam and phishing sites, Wi-Fi checks, Hack Alerts for leaked passwords and protection for private photos. Scam-text and call blocking, the VPN and an unlimited photo vault are premium.
  • Avira: a VPN capped at 100 MB a day and a Call Blocker for numbers you blacklist. Avira's iOS page says Pro adds Web Protection for Safari and a breach monitor.
  • McAfee: one device, with a Wi-Fi scan, an identity scan and a system scan for the latest iOS updates.
  • TotalAV: Smart Scan, which alerts you to pending iOS security updates and checks that your passcode and Face ID or Touch ID are on, a data breach check, photo and contact clean-up, and Event Check for rogue calendar entries. WebShield, QR Code Check, spam text protection and the VPN are premium.
  • Norton: no free version. Its App Store listing offers a 7-day trial that starts an annual subscription.

What you mostly pay for on iPhone is scam-text and call filtering, web protection in Safari and other apps, a VPN without a data cap, and identity or breach monitoring. If none of that matters to you, Apple's built-in protection plus a free app is a reasonable place to stop. Norton's, TotalAV's and Avast's App Store listings say their subscriptions renew automatically, so note the renewal date when you start a trial or subscribe.

Before you install a security app on iPhone

  • The feature you're paying for is listed for iPhone, not only for Android or Windows.
  • Your iPhone meets the minimum on the app's App Store listing: iOS 17 for Norton, McAfee and Avast, and iOS 13 for TotalAV and Avira.
  • You're installing the vendor's own app: check the developer name on the App Store listing (Gen Digital, McAfee, AVAST Software, Total Security Limited, Avira Holding).
  • An app that promises to "scan for viruses" on iPhone can't look inside your other apps: judge it by its scam, web and VPN features.
  • You know when the subscription renews.
  • iOS stays up to date: no app replaces Apple's security updates.

Keep reading

Sources · checked Oct 31, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Do iPhones need antivirus?
Not in the PC sense. iOS keeps apps in separate sandboxes, Apple reviews App Store apps for known malware, and security fixes arrive through iOS updates and Background Security Improvements. For many people, keeping iOS updated and leaving Safari's Fraudulent Website Warning and the built-in text and call screening on is enough. A security app helps with scam texts and calls that get through, links opened outside Safari, a VPN for public Wi-Fi and breach monitoring.
Can an iPhone app scan for viruses?
Not the way antivirus works on a PC. Apple's sandbox is designed to stop apps from gathering or modifying other apps' data, so a security app can't scan them. TotalAV's help center says its iOS app doesn't run an antivirus, and Avast's FAQ says third-party antivirus isn't possible on iOS. Instead, these apps check your iOS version and passcode settings, filter scam texts and calls, block phishing sites and offer a VPN.
What's the best free security app for iPhone?
Among the brands we review, Avast's is the only free app with web protection: Web Guard against scam and phishing sites, plus Wi-Fi checks and Hack Alerts for leaked passwords. Avira's free version includes a VPN capped at 100 MB a day and a Call Blocker for numbers you blacklist, TotalAV's free Smart Scan checks for iOS updates and passcode settings, and McAfee's free tier covers one device with Wi-Fi, identity and system scans. Norton has no free version.
Can these apps block scam texts on iPhone?
Several can: Norton's Safe SMS, McAfee's Scam Detector, Avast's Safe SMS in its paid app and TotalAV's spam text protection in premium. TotalAV's help center says its filter works through the iPhone's own message filtering in the Messages settings and checks links in texts against its WebShield database. Apple's Messages can also screen unknown senders and filter spam without any app.
Do I need a VPN on my iPhone?
Only for some uses, such as public Wi-Fi you don't trust. Norton offers one with Mobile Security + VPN or Norton 360 for Mobile, McAfee with every plan on its site, Avast in its paid app, TotalAV with Internet Security and Total Security or as an add-on, and Avira free up to 100 MB a day. See our guide to the best VPN for iPhone for the VPNs we review.
Will these apps work on an older iPhone?
Check the Compatibility section of the App Store listing: Norton, McAfee and Avast need iOS 17 or later, and TotalAV and Avira run on iOS 13 and later. McAfee's description mentions iOS 16, but its listing's compatibility says iOS 17. An iPhone that can't update to a recent iOS also misses Apple's newer security fixes, which no app replaces.

Our top pick: Norton

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