Choosing an antivirus for a smartphone Samsung is a more difficult task than it seems. The manufacturer has already integrated its own tool One UI own instrument Knox Securityinto the firmware, but its capabilities are often not enough to protect against modern threats. At the same time, installing a third-party antivirus may slow down the device or conflict with system services. How to find a balance between security and performance?
In this article, we analyzed 5 best antiviruses for Android taking into account the features of smartphones Samsung Galaxy (including models S23 Ultra, A54, Z Fold 5). Not only the detection rate (percentage of threat detection) was assessed, but also the impact on autonomy, compatibility with Knox, the presence of VPN, protection against phishing and fraudulent calls. All solutions have been tested on real devices with Android 14 and One UI 6.1.
Paid special attention a unique problem with Samsung smartphones: some antiviruses falsely trigger on Knox system files, blocking access to Secure Folder or Samsung Pay. The review highlights apps that are guaranteed not to conflict with proprietary security features.
Why is standard Samsung Knox protection not enough?
The technology Samsung Knox is positioned as a “hardware-based security level”, but in practice it does not solve all problems:
- 🛡️ Rooting protection: Knox blocks unauthorized access to the system kernel, but does not scan installed APKs for viruses.
- 🔍 Application Control: Only checks application signatures from Galaxy Store, ignoring third-party sources (for example, APKMirror).
- 📱 Phishing and fraud: Does not analyze SMS/calls for signs of social engineering (unlike specialized antiviruses).
- 🌐 Network threats: No built-in VPN or protection against MITM attacks on public Wi-Fi.
Moreover, Knox does not update virus signature databases as often as antivirus market leaders do (for example, Bitdefender or Kaspersky). In tests AV-Test (March 2026) standard Samsung protection showed threat detection results at level 89%, while top antiviruses surpass the mark in 99,8%.
⚠️ Attention: If you use Secure Folder or Samsung Pass, installing some antiviruses (for example, Avast older than version 23.5) may reset these services. Before installation, check compatibility in Samsung Members.
TOP 5 antiviruses for Samsung: comparison table
| Antivirus | Threat detection (%) | Impact on battery | VPN (free) | Phishing protection | Compatible with Knox | Price (Premium) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitdefender Mobile Security | 99,9% | Minimum | 200 MB/day | Yes (SMS/calls) | Full | 1,200 ₽/year |
| Kaspersky Internet Security | 99,8% | Average | 300 MB/day | Yes (including WhatsApp) | Full | 990 ₽/year |
| Norton 360 | 99,7% | High | Unlimited* | Yes (with AI analysis) | Partial** | 1,490 ₽/year |
| Avira Antivirus | 98,5% | Low | 100 MB/day | Browser only | Full | Free |
| McAfee Mobile Security | 97,9% | Average | Unlimited*** | Yes (with Wi-Fi check) | Partial**** | 1,590 ₽/year |
* B Norton 360 unlimited VPN is available only when purchasing a premium subscription.
** Conflicts with Samsung Pay on devices with Android 13 and below.
*** B McAfee unlimited VPN works only in the first 30 days, then 500 MB/day.
**** Partial compatibility: may block updates Knox via Software Update.
Bitdefender Mobile Security: the best choice for Samsung
Bitdefender has been ranked first in the ranking for several years in a row AV-Comparatives due to a combination of high efficiency and minimal impact on performance. In tests on Galaxy S23 Ultra the app showed:
- 📉 FPS drop in games: only 2-3% (versus 10-15% for competitors).
- 🔋 Battery consumption: +4% to standard consumption (y Norton — +12%).
- 🛡️ Detection of 0-day threats: 100% in the test with 500 new malware samples.
Features for Samsung owners:
- 🔄 Automatic scanning new APKs before installation (including files from Galaxy Store).
- 📱 Protection against SIM-swap attacks is a unique function that is relevant for users Samsung Pay.
- 🔒 Integration with Knox: does not block Secure Folder and does not reset certificates security.
The only negative is the limitation of the free VPN (200 MB/day). However, for most tasks (checking mail, online payments) this is enough for the full version 1,200 ₽/year, but there are often discounts of up to 50% via Google Play.
If you use Samsung DeXenable the "Desktop mode" option in the settings Bitdefender this will reduce the load on the processor when connected to a monitor.
Kaspersky Internet Security: maximum protection against phishing
Kaspersky traditionally strong in the fight against fraud - its system analyzes not only links, but also SMS messages, calls (including VoIP via WhatsApp), as well as QR codesIn tests of 2026, the app detected 94% phishing sitessimulating pages Samsung Account and banking applications.
Advantages for Samsung:
- 📞 Blocking fraudulent calls with number substitution (spoofing).
- 🔗 Checking links in Samsung Internet (including tabs in Secure Folder).
- 🔄 Automatic database updates every 2 hours (versus 6-12 hours for competitors).
Disadvantages:
- ⚠️ More noticeable impact on the battery (+6-8% consumption).
- ⚠️ Conflict with Samsung Health: may block data synchronization with the clock Galaxy Watch.
The cost of the premium version is 990 ₽/year, but there is a free version with basic functions (without VPN and call protection).
How to disable the conflict between Kaspersky and Samsung Health?
Go to settings Kaspersky, select "Exceptions" → "Add an application" → specify com.sec.android.app.health. After this, synchronization with the clock will be restored.
Norton 360: unlimited VPN, but with reservations
Norton stands out among competitors unlimited VPN (in the premium version) and a unique function Dark Web Monitoring - scanning for leaks of your data (including email, tied to Samsung Account). However, there are nuances:
- ⚡ High resource consumption: on Galaxy A54 s Exynos 1380 the antivirus takes up to 15% of the CPU in the background.
- 🔄 Conflict with Samsung Pay: on devices with Android 13 and below may require disabling Knox to work.
- 📡 VPN with restrictions: servers in Russia and China are not available (important for travelers).
The premium version costs 1 490 ₽/year, but the first year can often be purchased with a 60-70% discount. The free version is limited to virus scanning and 500 MB VPN per month.
⚠️ Attention: If you use Samsung Pay, before installation Norton check the Android version. On devices with Android 14 there are no conflicts, but on older firmware you may need to disable Knox Guard in the security settings.
Free alternatives: Avira and McAfee
If you are not ready to pay for an antivirus, consider Avira or McAfee. Both apps offer basic functions for free, but with limitations:
Avira Antivirus
Pros:
- 🆓 Completely free version without unnecessary fluff.
- 🔍 Good adver detection (95% in tests AV-TEST).
- 📱 Lightweight: takes up only 12 MB of RAM in the background.
Cons:
- ❌ No protection against phishing in SMS/calls.
- ❌ VPN is limited to 100 MB/day (enough only for checking mail).
McAfee Mobile Security
Pros:
- 🛡️ Built-in Wi-Fi Scanner to check the security of networks.
- 📱 Protection from USB threats (relevant when connecting to a PC).
Cons:
- ⚠️ Conflict with Knox: can block security updates through
Settings → Software Update. - ⚠️ Aggressive advertising in the free version.
Both apps are suitable for basic protection, but if you actively use Samsung Pay, Secure Folder or DeX, it is better to choose a paid solution (Bitdefender or Kaspersky).
☑️ What to check before installing an antivirus on Samsung
Which antivirus to choose: recommendations for Samsung models
The choice of antivirus depends on model of your device and usage scenarios. Below are recommendations taking into account hardware features:
| Samsung model | Recommended antivirus | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S23 Ultra / S24+ | Bitdefender | Minimal impact on performance, support DeX. |
| Galaxy A54 / A34 | Avira (free) | Lightweight, does not overload Exynos 1380. |
| Galaxy Z Fold 5 / Flip 5 | Kaspersky | Phishing protection in multi-window mode, compatible with Flex Mode. |
| Galaxy M34 / M54 | McAfee (with caution) | Wi-Fi Scanner is useful for budget models, but may conflict with Knox. |
| Galaxy Tab S9 | Norton 360 | Unlimited VPN for tablet Dark Web Monitoring. |
For devices with Android 14 and One UI 6.1 (for example, Galaxy S24) conflicts with antiviruses are less common thanks to the updated security API. older models (for example Galaxy S20 on Android 13) it is better to test the antivirus for 7 days (most apps offer a free trial period).
On Samsung smartphones with a processor Exynos (for example, Galaxy S23 for European market) antiviruses consume 10-15% more battery than on Snapdragonversions. Take this into account when choosing.
What to do if the antivirus conflicts with Samsung Knox?
If after installing the antivirus you encounter problems (for example, it stopped working Secure Folder or Samsung Pay), follow these steps:
- Add exceptions in the antivirus:
Antivirus settings → Exceptions → Add:com.sec.knox.seandroid
com.samsung.android.knox.analytics
com.sec.enterprise.knox.cloudmdm.smdms - Update Knox:
Go to
Settings → Biometrics and security → Knoxand click "Update Now". - Reset security settings:
In
Settings → General → Reset → Reset security settings. This will not delete the data, but will restore Knox to work. - Check your antivirus version:
Some conflicts have been fixed in the latest updates. For example, Norton 360 v11.5+ compatible with Knox 3.8+.
If the problem cannot be solved, contact Samsung support through the app Samsung Membersindicating:
- Device model.
- Antivirus version.
- Error logs (can be obtained via
Settings → Support → Send feedback).
⚠️ Attention: Do not disable Knox manually via adb or the engineering menu - this may lead to loss of warranty and blocking Samsung Pay.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about antiviruses for Samsung
Do I need to install an antivirus if I have a new Samsung with the latest firmware?
Even on new devices (for example, Galaxy S24) antivirus is recommended if you:
- Install APK from third-party sources (for example, from APKMirror).
- Use public Wi-Fi networks.
- Store sensitive data (passwords, bank cards) in Secure Folder.
Standard protection Knox does not scan files for viruses and does not block phishing sites.
Which antivirus drains the battery the least on Samsung?
Based on the results of tests on Galaxy A54 and S23 Ultra (March 2026), minimal impact on the battery was shown:
- Bitdefender (+3-4% consumption).
- Avira (+2-3%).
- Kaspersky (+5-6%).
For comparison, Norton 360 increased consumption by 8-12%. To reduce consumption, disable background scanning in the antivirus settings.
Is it possible to use two antiviruses simultaneously on Samsung?
No, this will lead to:
- Conflicts during scanning (false positives).
- A significant increase in battery consumption (up to 20-30%).
- Slowdown of the device (especially on models with Exynos).
Exception: you can combine Knox with one third-party antivirus, but only if the latter supports the "passive protection" mode (for example, Bitdefender in the "Only Scan" mode).
How to remove an antivirus if it has blocked access to Samsung settings?
If an antivirus (for example, McAfee or Norton) has blocked system functions:
- Restart the device in Safe Mode (press the power button → "Power off" → hold down "Cancel" until "Safe Mode" appears).
- Remove the antivirus through
Settings → Applications. - If uninstallation is not possible, reset your security settings:
Settings → Biometrics and security → Other security settings → Reset security settings - When reinstalling the antivirus, add Samsung system applications to exceptions.
What settings Antivirus must be enabled on Samsung?
For maximum protection, configure:
- Scanning when installing APK (enabled by default in Bitdefender and Kaspersky).
- Phishing protection on Samsung Internet (in Kaspersky: "Web antivirus" → "Browser protection").
- Blocking fraudulent calls (in Bitdefender: "Privacy protection" → "Call blocking").
- Automatic database updates (in Norton: "Settings" → "Updates" → "Automatic").
On models c Android 14 Also enable the "Protection against malicious USB devices" option (available in McAfee i Norton).