As our lives become increasingly digital, securing the personal data on our iPhones and iPads is more critical than ever. With the rise of cyber threats and data breaches, it’s essential to equip our devices with robust security measures. In this article, we’ll explore the best security apps for iPhone or iPad in 2025, along with the latest built-in security features offered by Apple.
Top Security Apps for iOS Devices
1. Norton Mobile Security for iOS
Norton Mobile Security for iOS is a comprehensive security app that offers a range of features to protect your device and data. Some of its key functionalities include:
- Web protection: Detects malicious and phishing sites across browsers, apps, text messages, and emails.
- Dark web monitoring: Continuously scans the dark web for any leaked or stolen personal information.
- VPN: Encrypts your browsing traffic and masks your IP address location.
- Scam SMS message filtering: Safeguards against malicious SMS text messages.
- Wi-Fi scanner: Alerts you when connecting to unsecure Wi-Fi networks.
- Device security: Notifies you when the operating system is out of date.
2. TotalAV Mobile Security
TotalAV Mobile Security is another top contender among the best security apps for iPhone or iPad. It provides effective protection against various threats, including:
- Anti-phishing protection: Efficiently identifies phishing sites and fake iCloud sites.
- VPN: Offers unlimited data, real-time protection, and blocks harmful websites and trackers.
- Photo & video clean-up: Helps manage storage by removing unnecessary photos and videos.
- Data breach monitoring: Notifies you of any data breaches involving your personal information.
TotalAV Mobile Security is available as a free version, with premium features starting at ₹1,569/year and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. McAfee Mobile Security
McAfee Mobile Security is a reliable choice for iOS users seeking a user-friendly security app. Its key features include:
- Web protections: Identifies security issues like outdated iOS software and offers anti-phishing protection.
- VPN: Provides decent VPN coverage, although availability may vary by country.
- Security score: Offers an overall security score and tips to improve it.
- Battery efficiency: Operates without draining battery or slowing down your device.
McAfee’s intuitive interface makes it easy to access and utilise all its features.
Built-in iOS Security Features
iOS 16.2 and Later: Advanced Data Protection
With the release of iOS 16.2, Apple introduced Advanced Data Protection, which extends end-to-end encryption to more categories of sensitive data, including iCloud Backup, Notes, and Photos. This feature ensures that only trusted devices can access iCloud data, encrypted with a new service key, making cloud-stored data more secure.
To enable Advanced Data Protection:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your name, then select iCloud.
- Scroll down and tap Advanced Data Protection.
- Choose Turn On Advanced Data Protection; if you haven’t set up your Recovery Key, you’ll be prompted to do so.
iOS 18: Enhanced Privacy Features
The upcoming iOS 18 is set to bring even more advanced privacy features to iPhones and iPads, such as:
- Enhanced App Tracking Protection: Provides greater visibility into app tracking activities and clearer permissions for users to make informed decisions.
- Private Relay for Public Wi-Fi: Extends protection to all online activities on public Wi-Fi by masking IP addresses and encrypting internet traffic.
- Advanced Email Privacy Controls: Enhances privacy settings for email, though specific details are not yet available.
- Intelligent Privacy Suggestions: Offers personalised privacy settings and predictive threat detection to anticipate and mitigate privacy risks.
Tips for Securing Your iPhone or iPad
In addition to using the best security apps for iPhone or iPad and leveraging built-in features, consider these tips to further enhance your device’s security:
- Keep your iOS updated to the latest version to ensure you have the latest security patches and features.
- Use strong passcodes and enable biometric authentication (Face ID or Touch ID) for an extra layer of security.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your Apple ID to protect your account from unauthorised access.
Conclusion
By combining top-tier security apps like Norton Mobile Security for iOS, TotalAV Mobile Security, and McAfee Mobile Security with the robust built-in features offered by Apple in iOS 16.2 and the upcoming iOS 18, you can significantly enhance the security of your iPhone or iPad. Remember to stay vigilant, keep your device updated, and follow best practices to safeguard your personal data.
For a seamless and secure mobile experience, consider the Airtel Thanks app. In addition to managing your Airtel services, the app offers features like secure UPI transactions, regular updates, and a user-friendly interface, making it a convenient and reliable companion for your iPhone or iPad.
