Play Protect is Google’s built-in security service that helps keep your device safe by scanning your apps and data for threats. It can sometimes flag apps as potentially harmful even if they’re safe. If Play Protect is blocking an app you want to use, there are a few things you can try to get around it.
Check That the App is Safe
Before overriding Play Protect, make sure that the app you want to use is actually safe and not malicious. Just because an app gets flagged, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s unsafe – Play Protect can sometimes produce “false positives.” However, often there is a legitimate reason that Play Protect blocks an app. Do some research on the app and developer before deciding to override Play Protect.
Look at Reviews
Check user reviews of the app you want to use. Look for patterns in negative reviews that indicate the app is spammy, intrusive, or malicious. Legitimate apps should have predominantly positive feedback.
Research the Developer
Look into the developer of the app. Do they have a history of making useful, non-malicious apps? Be wary of apps made by unknown or obscure developers, as these are more likely to contain threats.
Scan with Antivirus
Use a trusted antivirus app to scan the APK file before installing it. This can help detect if the app contains any malware or other threats that Play Protect may have flagged.
Disable Play Protect
If you’ve verified that the app is safe, you can disable Play Protect to stop it from blocking the app. Here are a few ways to turn off Play Protect:
Disable in Play Store App
Open the Play Store app and tap on the profile icon in the top right corner. Go to Settings > Google Play Protect. Toggle the slider off for “Scan apps with Play Protect.” This will disable scanning and allow you to install apps blocked by Play Protect.
Disable Through Android Settings
Open your Android device’s Settings app and go to Security > Google Play Protect. Turn off the toggle for “Scan apps with Play Protect.” You can also tap on “Advanced” and toggle off “Improve harmful app detection.”
Disable Using ADB Commands
For advanced users, you can use ADB commands to disable Play Protect. Connect your device to a computer and run the following command:
adb shell settings put secure disable_play_store_app_outer_data_access true
This will fully disable Play Protect system-wide until reversed using:
adb shell settings put secure disable_play_store_app_outer_data_access false
Add App as Exception
Instead of completely disabling Play Protect, you can also choose to just add the blocked app as an exception. Here’s how:
On Android 10 and Lower
Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Special app access > Play Protect. Tap the app you want to add and select “Allow app.” This white-lists it so Play Protect ignores the app.
On Android 11 and Higher
Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Special app access > Play Protect. Tap “Add” and select the app to allow. This adds the app to the whitelist.
Clear Play Protect’s Cache
Another simple fix is to clear the cache and data for the Play Protect and Google Play apps. This erases any flagged threats and forces a clean re-scan. Here are the steps:
- Open your device’s Settings app.
- Go to Apps & notifications and select “See all apps.”
- Locate and tap on the Google Play Store app.
- Tap Storage & cache > Clear cache and Clear storage.
- Go back and do the same process for Google Play services and Google Play Protect.
- Restart your device.
After clearing the caches, Play Protect will re-scan your apps from scratch without remembering the previous flags. This may resolve any false positives.
Sideload in Airplane Mode
If all else fails, you can sideload the APK while offline so Play Protect can’t scan it. Here’s how:
- Save the APK file to your device’s internal storage or SD card.
- Enter Airplane mode on your device.
- Open your device’s Settings and enable app install from Unknown sources.
- Use a file browser to locate and install the saved APK.
- Open the app to verify it works and disable Airplane Mode.
Since Play Protect didn’t get a chance to scan the app, it will be allowed until the next online check. This isn’t ideal for security but lets you bypass Play Protect’s blocking.
Factory Reset Device
If you’ve exhausted all other options, a last resort is to back up your data and reset your device to factory settings. This wipes the slate clean, including Play Protect’s app list. Once reset, be careful about re-enabling automatic app scans to avoid issues.
Conclusion
Overriding Play Protect comes with security risks, so proceed with caution. Make sure any apps you force install are safe and from reputable developers. Keep Play Protect disabled only temporarily when needed. And consider setting the app as an exception so scans remain active overall. With the right precautions, you can bypass Play Protect blocks while staying protected.