As a cyber security professional who has specialized in mobile security for over a decade, I‘m often asked which smartphone operating system is the most secure: Apple‘s iOS or Google‘s Android? It‘s a critical question, as our phones now hold our most private data – banking, health, intimate conversations and photos. The consequences of a mobile hack or data breach in 2024 can be devastating.
While iOS and Android are both secure platforms that have made major strides in data protection, key architectural differences and vendor philosophies mean one does have an edge. Let‘s dive into the core security elements of each OS and see how they compare for personal and enterprise use.
Threat Landscape
First, it‘s helpful to understand which mobile OS is more heavily targeted by hackers and malware. According to the 2024 Symantec Internet Security Threat Report, iOS devices account for less than 1% of mobile malware infections, while Android is responsible for 97% of attacks:
| Platform | Malware Share |
|---|---|
| Android | 97% |
| iOS | 0.8% |
| Others | 2.2% |
This disparity is largely due to Android‘s open-source model and allowance of sideloading apps from third-party sources, which we‘ll examine later. However, it‘s important to note that iOS is not immune to threats. Zero-day vulnerabilities in iOS are highly prized by elite hacking groups and nation-states for extremely targeted surveillance.
Code Structure
One of the biggest security differences between iOS and Android lies in their foundational code. iOS is built on proprietary closed-source code, while Android has an open-source base.
Apple‘s "walled garden" closed approach means the inner workings of iOS are not accessible to outside security researchers to audit. While "security through obscurity" is not always a strength, it does make it harder for attackers to find vulnerabilities to exploit compared to Android‘s open code.
Google has steadily worked to tighten Android‘s code with each iteration and compartmentalize core functions. Android 11 and up employ a new "Scoped Storage" model that limits each app‘s access to device storage. Google is also pushing Project Mainline to deliver more OS component updates through the Play Store. Still, the base open-source nature does present a larger attack surface compared to iOS.
Hardware Security
Modern mobile security depends not just on software, but deep hardware integration. Both iOS and flagship Android devices now offer hardware-backed full disk encryption (FDE), which protects all data at rest. But iOS has had a longer head start, with FDE standard since 2014‘s iOS 8. Android FDE was not a requirement until 2018‘s Android 10.
Both platforms also utilize dedicated security chips to protect the most sensitive data like cryptographic keys and biometrics. All iOS devices with Face ID or Touch ID have a Secure Enclave, while flagship Android phones have a Titan M chip. These are resilient against even advanced physical hacking attempts.
However, these hardware benefits only apply to higher-end Android phones. Many midrange and budget Android devices lack the latest hardware security features, making them more vulnerable compared to any iPhone made in the past 5 years.
App Stores
Another critical vector for mobile malware is rogue apps sneaking past official app stores. Apple is known for having the strictest app review process in the industry. Security researchers have found it extremely difficult to get proof-of-concept malware into the iOS App Store, even when created for legitimate testing purposes.
Google has made the Play Store more secure over the years, with Google Play Protect now scanning over 100 billion apps daily for malware. In 2019, Google reported blocking 1.9 billion malware installs from non-Play sources. However, a 2021 study by the University of Sydney and CSIRO‘s Data61 found over 2,000 potential malware apps still available on the Play Store.
The biggest risk on Android is the ability to sideload apps from untrusted third-party sources if a user enables "Install Unknown Apps." Malicious apps can then access all of a device‘s permissions. Apple is known for swiftly revoking enterprise certificates that try to facilitate iOS sideloading.
App Permissions
Once an app is installed, mobile OSes control what device features and data it can access. Early versions of Android had an all-or-nothing permissions model, but it has steadily improved to be more like iOS with granular controls and transparency.
iOS and Android 10 and later now use a similar permissions structure where the user can grant or deny individual permissions like location, microphone, contacts, etc. as they are requested by an app. Both support geofencing so an app can only access location at certain times. Android goes a bit further with options to auto-revoke permissions on unused apps.
However, iOS is still more restrictive of certain permissions by default. Apps can access call logs and SMS on Android, which is blocked on iOS. iOS 13 introduced a "Sign in with Apple" option that lets users share a pseudo-email to protect their real email from apps. iOS 14 and 15 added app privacy "nutrition labels" and reports showing what data apps access.
Password Management
Weak and reused passwords are a major security liability on mobile devices, especially with phishing on the rise. Apple has an advantage here thanks to iCloud Keychain, which generates, stores, and autofills strong passwords. It syncs those passwords end-to-end encrypted across all Apple devices signed in with the same Apple ID.
Google introduced a similar built-in password manager in Android 8 Oreo, but it did not generate or sync passwords until recently and is not as widely adopted as iCloud Keychain.
For the best mobile password hygiene on either platform, I recommend using a dedicated third-party password manager like 1Password, Dashlane, or Bitwarden. Look for one that offers multi-factor authentication, secure sharing, and breach monitoring.
Encryption
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is critical for protecting data in transit, especially sensitive communications. All modern iOS and Android devices support E2EE for internet connections with apps that properly implement HTTPS and SSL certificates.
But E2EE for messaging is more of a patchwork. The proprietary iMessage standard encrypts all messages between Apple devices by default using the Apple ID associated with each device. FaceTime calls are also E2EE. SMS messages to Android users fall back on regular cellular protocols.
Android uses the more universal Rich Communication Services (RCS) standard to secure chats between devices. But it is still rolling out and requires carrier implementation. Google Messages supports E2EE on a per-conversation basis, as does Google Duo for video calls. But many Android OEMs use their own messaging apps with varying encryption.
Third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal offer the most reliable cross-platform mobile E2EE, as long as all participants are using the app.
Software Updates
Keeping a mobile device updated with the latest OS and security patches is one of the most important ongoing defenses against new threats. Delays in patching known vulnerabilities leave users exposed to heightened risk of hacking and malware.
Apple sets the standard for mobile updates, generally supporting devices with the latest iOS version for 5-6 years from release. As of 2024, even the iPhone 8 from 2017 can run iOS 17. When a major vulnerability is discovered, Apple is quick to push out patches to all supported devices promptly, such as the 2021 iMessage zero-click flaw.
Update consistency has long been Android‘s Achilles heel. With thousands of Android device models from different OEMs and carriers, OS updates are fragmented. An OpenSignal report found that in 2024, only 20% of Android devices released in the past 4 years were running the latest Android 14. Security patches are often delayed by months.
Google and OEMs like Samsung have improved their update commitments, with Samsung now providing 4 years of security updates for flagship phones. Google is also mandating more frequent security patches from OEMs. But it still lags behind Apple‘s model of directly pushing updates to all in-use devices.
Anti-Theft Protections
With the sharp rise in smartphone theft over the last decade, both iOS and Android now provide robust anti-theft features if a device is lost or stolen.
iOS has long offered Find My iPhone, which can geolocate a missing device, lock it remotely, and fully wipe it if needed. It‘s protected by the user‘s Apple ID and iCloud password. The Activation Lock prevents a stolen device from being used with any other account, even if wiped.
Android Device Manager (now Find My Device) offers similar capabilities to remotely locate, lock, and wipe a lost Android phone. But some budget Android devices lack the needed hardware support for full functionality.
Both platforms support additional FIDO2 hardware security keys like YubiKey for two-factor authentication. This prevents unauthorized access even if a password is compromised.
Enterprise Management
For organizations deploying iOS or Android devices to employees, mobile device management (MDM) is crucial for enforcing security policies and protecting sensitive business data. Leading MDM solutions support both platforms, but iOS has some advantages.
All iOS devices can be supervised over the air via Apple Business Manager without having to purchase them directly or manually configure them. The tight integration between iOS hardware and software enables highly granular remote management, with features like managed app configurations, per-app VPN, and activation lock bypass.
Android Enterprise has made it easier to deploy locked-down work profiles on employee devices, but the diversity of Android hardware can still pose a challenge. Samsung offers the closest iOS-like management experience with its Knox platform and tight Microsoft Intune integration. But for consistent enterprise management, iOS is often preferred.
Technical Hardening Tips
Beyond the basics, here are some more advanced tips for security-conscious users to harden iOS and Android devices:
iOS:
- Enable Lockdown Mode in iOS 17+ to block advanced web-based threats
- Enable USB Restricted Mode to prevent USB data connections when locked
- Turn off "Load Remote Images" in email settings to block tracking pixels
- Use Burner and Sudo apps to generate alias phone numbers and emails
- Regularly review app privacy reports in Settings to revoke permissions
Android:
- Disable "Install Unknown Apps" to prevent sideloading
- Enable Tamper Protection in Find My Device settings
- Turn on Seamless Updates for faster security patches
- Use Island app to create isolated work profile for risky apps
- Install Orbot app to route traffic through Tor network for anonymity
The Bottom Line
So which mobile platform is more secure in 2024, iOS or Android? Based on the multiple factors we‘ve examined – system architecture, app vetting, update speed, anti-theft protection, and more – iOS still has a meaningful security edge over Android. The closed-source code, tight hardware integration, Secure Enclave, and rapid updates give it the advantage.
That said, the security gap between iOS and Android is the narrowest it‘s ever been. Android 12 through 14 have made huge strides in overall platform and application security. Google‘s Project Zero team is leading the industry in finding and fixing zero-day vulnerabilities. For security-conscious users who prefer Android‘s flexibility, a Pixel or Samsung phone with strict Google Play installation is a strong option.
But for the most sensitive enterprise and government deployments, iOS will likely remain the preferred choice for its proven track record, consistency, and manageability. Ultimately, mobile security relies not just on the base OS, but on users making smart choices. Following the hardening tips outlined here and staying vigilant against phishing and social engineering can go a long way to keeping any mobile device safe.
