Google protects you: Play Protect is finally on a slow rollout to mainstream users

We've been hearing about Google Play Protect — Google's solution for device protection — since this year's I/O. And while some beta testers have seen it earlier, the feature seems to currently be on a slow rollout to all users.

What is Play Protect? It's basically an anti-malware tool, which monitors app behavior and gives them a firm slap if they try something funny. To be clear, the Play Store has had various levels of scan for a while now. However, Play Protect ups the ante a bit.

The new service is not only a ghost scanner that checks apps that are live on the Play Store. Once Play Protect reaches your phone, you will actually be able to see its icon and get reports from it. Play Protect will live in the Play Store app and will periodically scan apps on your device and compare results with how the same apps are behaving on other devices. If it finds something out of the ordinary, you will be warned and prompted to delete the offending app. You can also initiate a scan on demand from the Play Protect tab in the Play Store slide-over menu. It's a nice touch, considering that the past few times that actual malware did get inside the Play Store and on to users' smartphones, it was because it was cleverly disguised in innocent, working apps.

Grab the Pixel 10 at Mint Mobile for $450 off

$349

$799

$450 off (56%)

Mint Mobile now sells the Google Pixel 10 with a massive $450 discount. The promo is available on select color variants with 128GB of storage. You also get a 12-month unlimited data plan for $180 instead of $360.

Buy at Mint Mobile

Pixel 10 Pro: now $475 off at Mint

$524

$999

$475 off (48%)

Grab the pro-grade, compact Pixel 10 Pro at Mint Mobile with a 12-month unlimited plan, and you can save a huge $475. The data plan comes with a discount, too: 50% off, to be exact.

Buy at Mint Mobile

The Pixel 10 Pro XL is $700 off at Mint right now

$499

$1199

$700 off (58%)

The high-end Gemini AI-enhanced Pixel 10 Pro XL is now available with a mind-blowing discount. You can now save $700 on the phone, plus 50% off unlimited 12-month plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is now $400 off

$1399

$1799

$400 off (22%)

The foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold is another standout holiday offer. Right now, you can get the device for $400 off at Mint Mobile. On top of that, you save $180 on 12-month unlimited data plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile