When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn While iOS devices are relatively secure, they’re not immune to malware or viruses by any stretch of the imagination. Getting the best antivirus for iPhone adds a crucial extra layer of security, which is especially important for jailbroken devices.
iPhone antivirus software covers the important gaps in the phone’s security system, with features like anti-phishing tools, Wi-Fi protection, VPNs, SMS protection, and other antivirus features to keep your digital activity private and secure. In this guide, I’ll provide all the information you need to pick an iPhone antivirus to keep your iOS device secure.
The Best Antivirus For iPhone Tested by Our Experts
The Top 7 iPhone Antivirus Products Ranked
- TotalAV – Best cheap iPhone antivirus for comprehensive security
- Norton – Excellent, feature-rich antivirus for iPhone
- Bitdefender – Lightweight iPhone antivirus, with SMS protection
- Trend Micro – Best antivirus for iPhone for usability
- Avast – Excellent free iPhone antivirus
- Malwarebytes – Strong iPhone antivirus for blocking spam calls
- AVG – Dependable, privacy-focused iPhone antivirus
- Show Full Guide
The Best iPhone Virus Protection Products Reviewed
Following our comprehensive methodology for assessing the best antivirus software, I tested and compared over a dozen providers for iPhone protection based on their security offerings, features, pricing, and device support.
1. TotalAV – Best Cheap Antivirus for iPhone for Comprehensive Security
| Starting Cost | $19/year |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | Free scans |
| Key Features | Phishing Protection, VPN, Device Optimization |
| Max Devices | 8 |
| Compatibility | iOS, Mac, Windows, Android |
Pros
- Very affordable
- Web and phishing protection
- Device optimization tools
- QR code scanner
- VPN and password manager
Cons
- Increased renewal price
- No standalone iOS plan
2. Norton – Best iPhone Antivirus App for Security Features
| Starting Cost | $19.99/year |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | 14-day trial |
| Key Features | Wi-Fi Protection, Long Free Trial and Money-Back Guarantee, Virus Protection Promise |
| Max Devices | Unlimited |
| Compatibility | iOS, Mac, Windows, Android |
Pros
- Wi-Fi protection and VPN
- SMS and email security
- Long free trial and money-back guarantee
- Virus Protection Promise
Cons
- Basic plan only supports one device
- Some features split into separate apps
3. Bitdefender Mobile Security – Best Lightweight Antivirus for iPhone, with Strong Phishing Protection
| Starting Cost | $14.99/year |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | 14-day trial, free plan for Mac, Windows, Android |
| Key Features | VPN, Web Protection, SMS and Calendar protection |
| Max Devices | 10 |
| Compatibility | iOS, Mac, Windows, Android |
Pros
- Minimal battery drain
- SMS and calendar protection
- Powerful phishing security
- Low cost
Cons
- VPN capped at 200MB/day
- Limited to a single iPhone
4. Trend Micro – Best iPhone Antivirus for Ease of Use
| Starting Cost | $18.99/year |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | 7-day free trial, free tools |
| Key Features | Intuitive App Interface, Wi-Fi Checker, Spam Message Blocker |
| Max Devices | 10 |
| Compatibility | iOS, Mac, Windows, Android, Chromebook |
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Blocks spam and phishing websites
- Advanced AI learning
- Insecure Wi-Fi alerts
Cons
- Can be heavy on system resources
- Starter antivirus plans are Windows-only
5. Avast Mobile Security – Best Free iPhone Antivirus
| Starting Cost | $19.99/year |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | 14-day trial, free plan |
| Key Features | Free Web Protection, VPN, Data Breach Monitoring |
| Max Devices | 30 |
| Compatibility | iOS, Mac, Windows, Android |
Pros
- Free web protection
- Data breach monitoring and email protection
- Free VPN
- Encrypted photo vault
Cons
- Free plans protect only one device
- Plans can be confusing
6. Malwarebytes – Best iPhone Antivirus for Scam Calls
| Starting Cost | $19.99/year |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | 7-day trial |
| Key Features | Robocall Blocking, Phishing Protection, Ad & Tracker Blocker |
| Max Devices | 10 |
| Compatibility | iOS, Mac, Windows, Android |
Pros
- Minimal resource consumption
- Scam call features
- Ad and tracker blocker
- Speedy VPN
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- Dark web monitoring requires upgrade
7. AVG – Best Antivirus for iPhones for Privacy
| Starting Cost | $19.99/year |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | 14-day free trial, free plan |
| Key Features | Malware Removal, Photo Vault, Password Leak Monitoring |
| Max Devices | 10 |
| Compatibility | iOS, Mac, Windows, Android |
Pros
- Great free plan
- Malware scanning
- Free secure photo vault
- Webcam protection
Cons
- Free plan lacks VPN
- Relatively expensive starter plan
Comparing the Best iPhone Virus Scan Tools for Mobile Security
The table below contains all the key details for the mobile security apps on my shortlist so you can make a quick comparison between them:
| Antivirus Provider | TotalAV | Norton | Bitdefender | Trend Micro | Avast | Malwarebytes | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Budget, multi-device support | Range of security features | Lightweight app | Beginner-friendly interface | Free security features | Blocking scam calls and robocalls | Free with a focus on privacy |
| Starting Cost | $19/year (5 devices) | $19.99/year (1 iPhone) | $14.99/year (1 iPhone) | $18.99/year (1 device) | $19.99/year (1 iPhone) | $19.99/year (1 iPhone) | $19.99/year (1 iPhone) |
| Max Devices | 8 | Unlimited | 10 | 10 | 30 | 10 | 10 |
| Compatibility | iOS, Mac, Windows, Android | iOS, Mac, Windows, Android | iOS, Mac, Windows, Android | iOS, Mac, Windows, Android, Chromebook | iOS, Mac, Windows, Android | iOS, Mac, Windows, Android | iOS, Mac, Windows, Android |
| Free Version/Trial | Free scans | 14-day trial | 14-day trial, free plan for Mac, Windows, Android | 7-day free trial, free tools | 14-day trial, free plan | 7-day trial | 14-day free trial, free plan |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 60 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
How We Review And Test Antivirus Software
15 Antiviruses Tested
20 Datapoints Measured
300+ Hours Testing
500+ User Reviews Read
We base our recommendations on first-hand experience and in-depth testing. All the Antivirus products we suggest, have been tested based on the following criteria:
- Core Security Features: We make sure that the antivirus software is fully equipped with features like real-time protection, scanning, a firewall, web protection, and more.
- Malware Detection Rates: We test malware detection rates ourselves by running both in-depth and quick scans on our devices. Additionally, we check independent lab tests.
- Compatibility: We check which devices and operating systems the antivirus software is compatible with. Often, different-looking dashboards and slightly different packages of features may be available.
- Performance Impact: A reliable and functional antivirus should not slow down your device significantly. So, we examine our device performance with and without the antivirus running.
- Customer Experience: Alongside our own experience, we are curious to know what real users have to say regarding the services. So, we’ve scoured the web for feedback on each of our tested antiviruses.
- Value for Money: We always consider value for money and how much each product is offering for the set price point.
What Does Antivirus Software for iPhone Do?
Antivirus software for iPhones can protect you from malware and enhance your overall device security with features like:
- VPN – Protects your security and privacy, particularly when using public networks.
- Wi-Fi protection – Detects and notifies you of compromised Wi-Fi networks.
- Phishing protection – Blocks malicious websites and links that may attempt to infect your device or steal personal information.
- SMS/Calendar protection – Analyzes and blocks suspicious text messages and calendar invites with malicious links.
- QR code scanning – Scans QR codes for threats and dangerous links to block QR phishing, aka quishing.
- OS update alerts – Reminds you to update your device whenever possible.
- Encrypted storage – Secures files such as sensitive photos in a password-protected space.
Do iPhones Need Antivirus Software? How Does Apple Protect iOS Devices?
If an app were to get infected with malware, it would still be sealed off from other apps. Similarly, antivirus programs cannot scan other iOS apps or the operating system for viruses, unlike on Mac and PC, as they’re also sandboxed.
Another security layer is that iPhones can generally only install software from the Apple App Store. All apps there are thoroughly vetted for malware before being approved. Safari, the iOS browser, also has built-in security and privacy measures, prevents cross-site tracking, and can warn you about fraudulent websites.
Although a mobile antivirus solution can’t scan or remove malware from an iPhone because of the restrictions iOS has in place, it can fill important gaps and enhance your security. For example, it can protect against phishing, malicious links, and compromised Wi-Fi networks, among other things.
An iOS antivirus app is especially useful if you have a jailbroken iPhone, as jailbreaking removes software restrictions on your device and significantly lowers your security protection.
What Security Threats Do iPhone Users Face?
Cybercriminals are always looking for weak links in the iOS ecosystem. Some security threats iPhone users face include:
- SMS Phishing – Hackers sometimes impersonate legitimate companies through SMS, luring iPhone users to phishing sites where they can steal personal information.
- Spyware – Journalists, activists, and political figures can become prime targets for mercenary spyware on iPhone. This malware exploits software vulnerabilities in iOS systems to infiltrate devices and extract information. Consumer monitoring programs are also available, which allow individuals access to your device just by using your iCloud credentials.
- Public Wi-Fi – Since public Wi-Fi connections don’t require authentication, they can enable hackers to monitor your activity.
- Malicious code – Apple frequently patches its software to address vulnerabilities – and hackers can, of course, take advantage of these weaknesses until a fix is in place. In addition, jailbroken iPhones have weakened security tools, making them more susceptible to malicious code transferred via infected apps.
How to Choose the Best Antivirus for iPhone
It can be tough to compare different iPhone security products, but I recommend prioritizing the following factors when looking for the best anti-virus for iPhone:
Security features – To protect your iPhone, look for products that offer a range of tools to boost your security, such as VPNs, SMS protection, anti-theft tools, and anti-phishing features.
If you’re looking for a specialized Mac antivirus, check out our Intego Antivirus review, which also allows you to scan an iPhone for malware, treating it as an external drive.
Compatibility – Ensure the antivirus is compatible with iPhones and any other devices you want to protect. All my recommendations have a dedicated app on the official App Store.
If you want to protect multiple devices, many providers offer family plans that protect anything from ten to 30 devices. If you’re also looking to protect an Android device, check out our guide to the best antiviruses for Android.
Performance impact – Look for a lightweight antivirus, like Bitdefender or Malwarebytes, that will run in the background without draining your iPhone’s battery or system resources.
User interface – iPhone antivirus apps should come with an intuitive, user-friendly design with accessible features that make navigation easy. This will be particularly beneficial for beginners.
Pricing – Consider whether you want an iPhone protection plan or if a multi-device antivirus solution would provide better value for money for you. When comparing iPhone antivirus software, also check for free trials and money-back guarantees that will enable you to test out services before you’re fully committed.
How To Run an iPhone Malware Scan
iPhone antivirus products typically make it relatively simple to run scans. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to run a security scan or virus scan for iPhone using TotalAV:
Get the TotalAV App
Go to TotalAV’s site and sign up for a subscription. Next, launch the App Store, search for TotalAV, and press Get.
Sign Into TotalAV
Open TotalAV and tap Get Started to begin signing in.
Allow Access
Give permission to TotalAV to access your Photos and Contacts by selecting Allow Full Access.
Run a Smart Scan
Next, tap Run a Smart Scan. This will check for vulnerabilities and if your passcode and biometrics are active, that software is up to date, and that WebShield is enabled.
Is the Best Free Antivirus for iPhone Good Enough?
Free antiviruses rarely have advanced tools like anti-theft protection, QR code checkers, and secure photo vaults. They’ll also often interrupt you with pop-up notifications promoting premium features.
Getting assistance with technical issues can also be difficult, as free antiviruses generally have minimal customer support.
As far as free solutions go, I recommend Avast and AVG as the best free antivirus software providers for iPhone, and they both include malware protection and phishing alerts – but both solutions offer far more comprehensive security solutions if you upgrade to a paid plan.
What is the Best Antivirus for iPhone?
Despite common beliefs, it’s entirely possible for iPhones to get infected with spyware and adware and for users to fall victim to phishing attacks. Because of this, it’s important to get the best virus protection for iPhone.
Based on my testing, I rate TotalAV as the best antivirus iPhone users can get their hands on. It’s very affordable and combines system optimization tools, a VPN, and phishing protection, providing multi-layered security defenses. In addition, whereas most candidates for the best iPhone security app support one device, TotalAV lets you protect five.
