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Malware detection

Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Malware detection for sideloaded apps works by scanning devices to check for the presence of apps from a database of known harmful apps, designed and vetted by security experts. If a match is found, the app is flagged as potentially harmful. Below, we explain what happens when malware is detected.

What happens when malware is detected

Users receive a prompt informing them of the type of harm present in apps

Users can uninstall the app from their devices (optional)

Malware detection for sideloaded apps

Our on-device malware infrastructure checks apps sideloaded to your device for malware. The feature checks installed apps for signs of known security issues and flags any that are identified as potentially harmful. If a match is found, the app is flagged as potentially harmful.

Scan apps for malware

Malware scanning (‘Scan Apps for Malware’) is on by default when you enable dev mode. We encourage you to always keep this setting on to protect you, your data and your device. Meta notifies you if apps on your Quest device contain potential malware.

Open Settings

Navigate to Privacy & Safety > Installed apps

Turn on Scan apps for malware

Improve Meta’s ability to detect malware

Turning on Improve Meta’s Ability to Detect Malware allows Meta to automatically send a copy of unknown apps to our servers. We’ll further analyze them to improve the accuracy of our malware detection.