Play Protect could let users rescan apps without uninstalling offending apps (Updated: Rolling out)

Update, December 5, 2024 (11:14 AM ET): Google Play Protect’s Rescan button is now rolling out widely to more users. Users will be able to run multiple scans for harmful apps without needing to uninstall harmful apps detected in previous scans.

You can see the rescan button in the top right corner, next to the Settings icon.

Original article, July 22, 2024 (09:59 AM ET): Google is working on adding a Rescan button to the Play Store’s Play Protect feature. This feature could let users run another scan without uninstalling harmful apps detected in a previous scan. The feature is currently in development, but we’ve managed to get an early look at it in version 41.9.17 of the Google Play Store.

Play Protect on the Google Play Store lets you scan your device for potentially harmful apps. If it detects an app that violates Google’s Unwanted Software Policy, it alerts you and presents an option to uninstall it.

In its current form, Play Protect forces you to uninstall harmful apps as soon as they’re detected and doesn’t let you run another scan until you remove the offending app from your device. This behavior can be annoying in cases where it incorrectly labels an app as harmful and doesn’t let you scan the remaining apps until you uninstall it.

With the upcoming Rescan button, you will be able to run another scan without uninstalling potentially harmful apps detected in a previous scan. It will be particularly useful for those who install apps from third-party sources that are often mislabeled as harmful.

As mentioned earlier, the Rescan button is not available in the current Google Play Store release. It will likely arrive with a future update, and we’ll let you know as soon as it starts rolling out.