The choice between iPhone and Androidsmartphone often comes down not only to design or functionality, but also to the question security. In an era of cyber threats, data breaches and government spying, users want to know: Which platform protects personal information better? There is no clear answer - each system has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Apple traditionally positions iOS as an “impenetrable fortress”, and Google claims that Android 14 with the project Mainline closes critical vulnerabilities faster than competitors. But marketing claims rarely match reality. In this article we will analyze security architecture, real cases of hacking, update policy and give a checklist for protecting your device - regardless of its type.

Spoiler: 100% safe smartphones do not exist. Even flagships with the latest patches are vulnerable to targeted attacks (for example, via 0-day exploits). But correct settings and conscious use will reduce risks by 80–90%.

Security architecture: how iOS and Android protection works

At the hardware and software level code iPhone and Androiddevices are protected in different ways. Apple controls the entire ecosystem - from the processor (Apple Silicon) to the application store (App Store). Google, in turn, develops only Android OSand smartphone manufacturers (for example Samsung or Xiaomi) add their own layers of protection - sometimes weakening it.

Key differences:

  • 🔒 Secure Enclave: B iPhone this is a separate chip for storing biometric data (for example, Face ID), inaccessible even to the kernel iOS. On Android a similar role is played by TrustZone (implementation depends on the manufacturer).
  • 🛡️ Sandboxing: Both OS isolate applications from each other, but iOS strictly restricts access to system resources. For example, on Android an application may request permission to read SMS, and on iPhone only for specific actions (for example, code completion).
  • 🔄 Security updates: Apple releases patches for all supported iPhone at the same time. The speed depends on the manufacturer: Android speed depends on the manufacturer: Google Pixel receive updates per day. release, and budget models can wait for months.
⚠️ Attention: Even flagship Androidsmartphones (for example, Samsung Galaxy S23) often receive critical patches with a delay of 1-3 months. Check the relevance of updates in the settings. (Settings → Software update).
📊 Which security factor is more important to you?
Update speed
Biometric data protection
Control over application permissions
Lack of viruses

Vulnerabilities in the real world: hacking statistics

Theoretical protection is good, but how are things in practice? According to data Kaspersky for 2023? year, 98% mobile. viruses signed up Android, but this does not mean that iPhone are invulnerable. It’s just that attackers more often attack the more common platform (market share is ~70%). Android on the market - ~70%).

Top 5 real threats for each platform:

iPhone (iOS) Android
🕵️ Targeted attacks (for example, Pegasus from NSO Group - spyware installed through "holes" in iMessage). 🤖 Fake apps in third-party stores (for example, files with virus miners). (for example, APK-files with virus miners).
🔗 Phishing via Safari (malicious sites that imitate Apple ID). 📱 Vulnerabilities in firmware manufacturers (for example, Dirty Pipe in the kernel Linux).
📱 Jailbreak vulnerabilities (for example, checkm8 is a hardware exploit for old iPhone). 🔄 Update delays (devices Android 10 and older often do not receive patches).
🌐 Attacks on iCloud (leaks through vulnerabilities in WebKit). 📊 Data collection manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi and Huawei were accused of transferring data to servers in China).

Critical information: In 2023 Google Project Zero discovered 18 vulnerabilities zero-day in iOS, of which 14 were actively exploited. For comparison, in Android there were 25 such vulnerabilities, but only 8 were used in real attacks.

What is a 0-day vulnerability?

This is a bug in the code, oh which the attackers know, but the developers do not yet know (or do not have time to release a patch). For example, in 2021, hackers used 0-day in iMessageto hack iPhone activists without a single click from the victim.

Update policy: who closes the “holes” faster?

One of the key security factors is speed of response to vulnerabilities. Here Apple here traditionally leads: all supported iPhone (usually the last 5-6 years) receive patches at the same time. On Android the picture is more complicated:

  • ✅ Google Pixel: updates on the day of release (support for 5–7 years).
  • ⚠️ Samsung, OnePlus: critical patches within 1–2 months (support for 4 years).
  • ❌ Budget brands (Xiaomi Redmi, Realme): updates with a delay of 3-6 months or are absent altogether.

Example: In March 2026 Google released a patch for the vulnerability CVE-2026-23704 (critical error in Android Framework). Pixel 8 received it on the same day, and Samsung Galaxy A52 only after 45 days.

⚠️ Attention: If your Androidsmartphone is older than 3 years, check the support status on the manufacturer's website. For example, Samsung promises 4 years of updates for flagships, but budget models (Galaxy A12) receive patches only for 2 years.

Open Settings → Software update

Compare version Security patch with the latest releases on official.googleblog.com

Check the support status of the model on the manufacturer's website

Install the application Security Patch Checker (available in Google Play)

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Biometrics and authentication: which is more reliable - Face ID or a fingerprint? sensors, and most

Biometric authentication systems on iPhone And Android work differently. Apple uses 3D face scanning (Face ID) with infrared sensors, and most Androiddevices are 2D cameras or ultrasound fingerprint scanners (for example, Samsung Galaxy S24).

Reliability comparison:

| Technology | iPhone (Face ID) | Android (Face Unlock/Fingerprint) |

|---------------------|-------------------------------|---------------------------------------|

| Protection level | High (1 to 1,000,000) | Average (1 to 50,000 for 2D cameras) |

| Vulnerabilities | Deception with masks (extremely rare) | Deception with photographs (on 2D cameras) |

| Data storage | Secure Enclave (isolated) | TrustZone manufacturer) |

| Speed | ~1 second | data-i="184">) are not inferior in security. The main risk is

Face ID considered more reliable, but ultrasonic fingerprint scanners (as in Pixel 8 Pro) are not inferior in safety. The main risk is software vulnerabilitiesFor example, in 2022 hackers cheated Face ID on iPhone 13 using specially prepared glasses.

💡

If you use biometrics, enable additional PIN code (at least 6 digits). On iPhone: Settings → Face ID and passcode. On Android: Settings → Security → Screen lock.

Applications and stores: App Store vs Google Play

Both stores check applications before publication, but the approaches are different:

- App Store: strict moderation (on average 50% of applications are rejected).

- Google Play: automated check + manual control for popular applications.

Where are more risks?

  • 🍎 App Store: Rarely misses viruses, but there have been cases of fraud (for example, an application ToTok in 2019 turned out to be spyware).
  • 🤖 Google Play: Fake applications appear more often (for example, copies WhatsApp with miners). In 2023 Google removed ~1.4 million malicious APKs.
  • 🌐 Side sources: On Android can be installed APK from the Internet - this is the main source of viruses (60% of infections).
⚠️ Attention: On Android disable installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources). Even legal APK (for example, with APKMirror) may contain modified code.
💡

On iPhone you cannot install the application outside App Store without jailbreak. This is both a plus (fewer viruses) and a minus (no alternative stores).

Espionage and data collection: who is watching you?

Both platforms collect data, but on different scales:

- Apple claims that minimizes data collectionbut studies show that iOS sends to Apple information about location, search queries in Safari and activity in App Store.

- Google openly acknowledges data collection for targeted advertising, but allows to disable personalization (Settings → Google → Account management → Data and personalization).

Who else can monitor?

  • 📱 Android manufacturers: Xiaomi, Huawei and Oppo were accused of collecting data about SMS, calls and installed applications.
  • 🔍 Governments: In 2023 Citizen Lab discovered that iPhone users in Qatar and the UAE were infected Pegasus through vulnerabilities c iMessage.
  • 🛠️ Apps: Even legitimate apps (such as Facebook or TikTok) collect data about your location and contacts.

Critical information: In 2026 Apple began scanning photographs for child pornography (system iCloud on child pornography (system CSAM). This has drawn criticism due to the risks of false positives and government access to scanning.

How to disable data collection on iPhone?

Go to Settings → Privacy → Analytics and improvements and disable all options.

Turn off synchronization of unnecessary data (for example, Settings → Apple ID → iCloud disable synchronization of unnecessary data (for example, Health or Safari).

Use DuckDuckGo instead Safari to search.

Practical recommendations: how to protect your smartphone

Regardless of the platform, follow these rules:

1. Update software

- On iPhone: Settings → General → Software update.

- On Android: Settings → Software update (check once a week).

2. Set up blocking

- Use PIN of 6+ digits or biometrics + password.

- On Android disable Smart Lock (Settings → Security → Smart Lock).

3. Control permissions

- On iPhone: Settings → Privacy → check application access to Photo, Location, Microphone.

- On Android: Settings → Applications → Permissions → disable unnecessary ones.

4. Use a password manager

- Built-in solutions: iCloud Keychain (iOS) or Google Password Manager (Android).

- Third-party: Bitwarden or 1Password.

5. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

- For Apple ID: Settings → [Your name] → Password and security.

- For Google: myaccount.google.com → Security → Two-factor authentication.

Lock screen password - 6+ characters?

Is two-factor authentication enabled for basic accounts?

Are the latest security updates installed?

Are unnecessary app permissions (for example, access to SMS) disabled?

Do you use a VPN on public Wi-Fi networks?

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FAQ: Answers to common questions questions

Is it possible to hack an iPhone without physical access?

Yes, but it is extremely difficult. Most attacks require the victim to click on a malicious link (for example, iMessage or SafariThe exception is 0-day exploits). used by intelligence agencies (for example, PegasusThe probability of such a hack for an ordinary user is less than 0.01%.

Which Android smartphone is the safest?

By the combination of hardware and software protection are in the lead:

  • Google Pixel 8 Pro (5 years of updates, pure Android)
  • Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (4 years of updates + Knox)
  • Fairphone 5 (open source, long support)

Avoid little-known brands (for example, UMIDIGI or Doogee) - they often skimp on security.

Is it true that Android collects more data than iOS?

Yes, but with nuances. Google collects data for targeted advertising (search queries, location, activity in applications). Apple collects less data, but:

  • Tracks activity in App Store and iCloud.
  • Scans photos for children's content (the app CSAM).
  • Transmits location data to Apple Maps.

On both platforms, you can limit data collection in the settings.

What to do if the phone is already hacked?

Signs of hacking:

  • Unusual battery or traffic consumption.
  • Self-reboot or heating.
  • Unknown applications in the installed list.
Actions:
  1. Disconnect the phone from the Internet (Airplane mode).
  2. Make a backup copy of important data (without connecting to the cloud!).
  3. Reset to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset).
  4. Install antivirus (Malwarebytes for Android, iVerify for iPhone).

If you suspect a targeted attack (for example, you are a journalist or activist), contact Citizen Lab or Amnesty International.

Does VPN protect against smartphone hacking?

VPN encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address, but does not protect from:

  • Malicious applications.
  • Vulnerabilities in firmware.
  • Phishing (fake sites).
When VPN is useful:
  • When connecting to public Wi-Fi (for example, in a cafe).
  • To bypass censorship or geo-blocking.
  • To hide activity from the Internet provider.

Recommended VPNs: ProtonVPN (free plan), Mullvad (without logs).