A new study has challenged the long-standing belief that Apple’s iOS is safer than Android. While many users assume Apple’s “walled garden” approach offers superior protection, recent data shows that Android devices actually provide stronger safeguards against scams and fraudulent messages.
According to a YouGov study, iOS users are 65% more likely than Android users to report receiving three or more scam texts within a week. In contrast, Android users are 58% more likely to say they haven’t received any scam texts at all during the same period. These findings suggest that Google’s system is outperforming Apple’s in keeping scam messages at bay.
Interestingly, Android users were also 20% more likely than iOS users to describe their device’s scam protection as “very effective” or “extremely effective.” The research, conducted across 5,000 smartphone users in the U.S., India, and Brazil, had participation from Google, which may explain the deeper focus on Android performance.
The results were even more striking for Pixel device owners, who were 96% more likely than iPhone users to report zero scam texts. On the other hand, iPhone users were 136% more likely than Pixel owners to experience a heavy volume of scam messages and 150% more likely to say their device was ineffective at stopping mobile fraud.
In a comparison between flagship models — the Pixel 10 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, and Motorola Razr+ 2025 — the iPhone reportedly came in last for built-in scam and fraud protection features.
Google’s advanced security tools play a big role in this performance gap. Features like real-time scam detection, AI-driven message screening, and call protection help Android users stay safer. The Phone by Google app can automatically block spam calls, while Scam Detection uses on-device AI to warn users about suspicious patterns during calls or texts.
In short, while iOS remains strong in overall privacy, this study highlights an unexpected shift — Android now leads in protecting users from scams and digital fraud.